Hasina believed that
the man in the household would earn for the family and the
woman could only do housework. But Azharul worked at a
garment factory, making so little that the family’s cost of living
exceeded his income. He worked long days at the factory,
sewing and stitching for a meagre wage. Food was sparse in
their home.
What if, instead of making clothes for a corporation in
a factory, they could make and sell their own from home
and keep the profits?
When FH began partnering with the
community of Char Borobila, several new opportunities popped
up for Hasina, including a Savings and Loans Group where she
could pool money with community members as well as borrow
funds.
Thanks to Hasina’s involvement in her savings group, she was able to
borrow money to purchase
a sewing machine. Hasina also received training from FH to become a
professional seamstress. She began to design and tailor beautiful clothes. Azharul left his job at the factory to make sacks and bags to sell.
Their new income provided them with
time to better their home environment and start a kitchen garden where they grow vegetables that enrich their diet. The
house is filled with nutritious food from their home garden and they
have incorporated hygiene practices into their routines.
But perhaps the
biggest change is in Hasina’s mindset.
“My personal life has significantly
transformed; my mentality has changed," she shares. "I used to think that men would
earn money and women would only do the housework. However, FH has changed my perspective by organizing various training and lessons. I am very grateful! I was inspired to learn sewing training and also
inspired my husband.”
