Before FH Bangladesh began a relationship with Char Borobila, families like Laily’s didn’t have access to basic hygiene—they didn’t have clean water, handwashing stations, home toilets, or training on how to stop the spread of communicable diseases. They were often sick, especially the children, which meant they missed a lot of school. With medical care too far away to be practical, Laily’s community turned to Kabiraji treatment, a practice rooted in superstition and expensive to implement. For vulnerable families struggling economically, these additional expenses were devastating.
“When these problems occurred, I felt socially inferior and became mentally ill,” Laily explained. “I didn’t like to talk with others so my relationship with my neighbours was poor and I didn't collaborate with others in the society. Lack of money caused turmoil in the family.”
Today, life couldn’t be more different. Laily is not only a member of the all-female Borsha Savings and Loans Group, she’s the president! She’s also a member of a neighbourhood health group and plays a significant leadership role on their local Community Development Committee. Her family’s vegetable gardening and poultry keeping has raised their nutrition and income.
“I learned about health awareness messages by participating in group health education session and a gynecological campaign…I am trying to obtain a government benefits card for pregnant women to help them.”
Laily is working hard so that everyone in her community can be healthy. “No one in the neighbourhood should die without treatment,” Laily states emphatically.
“A lot has changed in my life as a result of being involved with the FH program. I keep myself clean and advise others to keep themselves neat and clean. Similarly, if people fall sick, they reach a nearby community clinic and in case of severe illness they go to hospitals. Child malnutrition has decreased. All this has been possible only due to the support of FH.”
