To Fulfill Dreams, Start by Dreaming Big
Parul is in the process of fulfilling her dreams of meeting her family’s needs by earning income through her own efforts.
A few years ago, Parul and her new husband lost their house and land to erosion on the banks of the Jamuna River and had to erect a structure to live in by the side of the road. That’s where they continued to live while her daughter and son were born. Her husband worked as a day laborer and the couple struggled to keep their household going on his limited wages.
Parul joined a women’s group through the Dewanganj Agricultural Development Program run by local partner PARI. She and her fellow group members saved money together. She faithfully attended the group’s meetings, listening attentively to the various presentations on the benefits of agriculture, poultry farming and vegetable farming techniques. She completed training on raising ducks and chickens and kitchen gardening and applied her new knowledge at home.
She bought five chickens with her savings and kept in regular contact with various consulting livestock officials and learned to vaccinate her own birds. Her flock eventually grew to 35 chickens, and she got good yields from her vegetables. With proceeds from the sale of 12 chickens and her excess produce, she was able to buy two goats. Her family’s situation has already improved through better nutrition and increased income.
As she continues to raise chickens and goats, Parul consults regularly with the livestock officers to make sure she’s caring for the animals correctly. The next portion of fulfilling her dreams has to do with saving enough money to buy a piece of land with her own earnings and building a home there.
Parul is grateful to PARI for encouraging her to act on her dreams. “I hope that this organization will contribute to creating such opportunities for more families.”
Bangladesh Dewanganj Program
Led by World Renew and Local Partner Participatory Action for Rural Innovation (PARI)