Underprivileged women in Habiganj dreams of alleviating poverty

Shahrin Tasnim Oishi, a resident of Bohula village in Habiganj Sadar upazila, dreams of doing something big by studying amid financial hardship as her father is the sole breadwinner for their large family. 

Oishi, who has five more siblings, now hopes to contribute financially to their family alongside her father as she received sewing training and got a sewing machine.

Tahmina Akter Happy, who hails from Teghoria village under the same upazila, also expressed joy after getting a sewing machine. She hoped to earn some money to help reduce poverty in her family.

Like the duo, women from 18 other low-income families also got sewing machines in the district. Bashundhara Shuvosangho, one of the largest social welfare organisations in the country, provided them with those free of cost following a three-month sewing training programme.

Metropolitan University Vice-Chancellor Prof Mohammad Jahirul Hoque handed over sewing machines as the chief guest to the women at the auditorium of Habiganj Press Club on Friday. The Kaler Kantho’s district correspondent Shah Fakhruzzaman, Bashundhara Shuvosangho Director Zakaria Zaman, Monohardi College Lecturer Kamrul Islam, News24 district correspondent Srikanta Gope, Habiganj district unit Shuvosangho President Jony Ahmed Raju, General Secretary Afzal Hossain Rony, Nasir Hossain, Sourav Mia, trainee Tahmina Akter Happy and trainer Johura Naznin Khan Rina spoke at the event.

In his speech, Prof Jahirul Hoque said that underprivileged women now can dream of moving forward after getting free sewing machines along with training.

“Only giving training would not yield any significant result. However, if this training and sewing machines change the lives of poor women, it will be the success of Bashundhara Group.”

He said, “This Group always stands by the oppressed and helpless people. This is definitely a good initiative. Bashundhara Group is an important stakeholder in the country's economy. The way this Group has worked in various disasters, including COVID-19, is undoubtedly praiseworthy.”

The vice-chancellor added, “Hopefully, those who received this training will become self-reliant themselves and later guide others to become so. Only then the purpose of the training will be served.”