Cause Study

“Avwg Av‡M gvby‡li evwo KvR KiZvg, AviwWGd Gi Kvi‡Y Anb Avwg gvbyl w`qv Kvg KivB”.

Amena Begum

Amena Begum, was a abandoned poor woman lives at Maitha Lobongola in Barguna Sadar Upazila under the district of Barguna. She used to work as a maid servant to manage her four members family (one son and two daughter) but it was very terrible for her due to irregular opportunities of work to manage her family properly. Though she had a very small hut and 80 decimal of land but can’t use this land due to lack of money as well as can’t make effective plan for earning. This is why; she has to maintain her family with very limited income. With Tk. 1,500 per month she could barely maintain her family. In these circumstances, in May 2009 cyclone AILA flashed away everything she had. It was such a situation where she had nothing to do except receiving reliefs from different organizations. Though she realized that it will not help her to fight against her uncertain future.

In this puzzled situation she came to know about RDF Microfinance Program and in 1^st phase on 2010 she received Tk. 3,000 for homestead vegetable cultivation. With this small amount she started vegetable farming and produced a lot of vegetables. After that in 2^nd phase in 2012, she got Tk. 25,000 more by this she increased her production area and started cultivation in 80 decimal of land.

Now Amena Begum is a role model of that community and as well as for RDF who proves that only dedication for work and eagerness to change fate can transform the living standard. Now she has been earning Tk. 15,000 per month which is ten times higher than her previous income. This extra amount of money give courage to her took lease of 136 decimal of land. Now her children are taking education and she is availing electricity facility by installing a Solar Home System in her house. This brighter situation encourages her to make a new dream.  Now Amena has been planning to take Tk. 50,000 as credit from RDF for doing more. Lastly Amena stated with a proud emotion “Avwg Av‡M gvby‡li evwo KvR KiZvg, AviwWGd Gi Kvi‡Y Anb Avwg gvbyl w`qv Kvg KivB”.

 ÒUvKvi jvBM¨v †cvjvcvBb‡Mv

†jnvcov KivB‡Z cvwi bvB,

Gnb bvwZ bvZwb‡Mv civB‡Z

WivB bvÓ.

Sayatunnesa

Sayatunnesa lives at maitha in Barguna Sadar upazilla under the district of Barguna and used to live with her husband named Md.Munsur Ali Howlader and three children. Munsur Ali basically runs his family by a small fishing business. But he was unable to maintain family from that source of income..  Besides whilst he had 3 cows but this income source was not sufficient to maintain the big family of Munsur. As a result children were deprived from education. Further more they faced some other shocks and challenges like the consecutive hit of super cyclone SIDR and AILA created such massive destruction drop them almost to the end of life. They had nothing except their lives. It was such a terrible time where they had to sleep under the open sky. But despite of all this recurrent misery Munsur and Sayatunnesa left no efforts unturned and on that consequence they found RDF as a hope for their survival. Being a member of Microfinance Program of RDF, in 1^st Phase in 2010 Sayatunnesa received credit amounting Tk. 7,000 and bought 2 small cows. After refund the money she got Tk. 12,000 more in 2011 and bought another cow and repaired the cow shed. Sayatunnesa did not know the magical change of her fate because some other harmony of blessings was still to come by almighty Allah to flourish her future. After course of time in 2012 she received an amount of Tk. 1,50,000 from RDF as 3^rd Phase credit facility and added another 10 cows in her farm.

This changed condition encourages Sayatunnesa to takes lease of 320 decimal lands where she segregated the land amount into two parts. She has been using 250 decimals of land for cultivation of rice and other seasonal vegetables and rest amount land is being used for grass cultivation for her cattle. Now her monthly income reaches Tk. 36,000.

Leisure time she thinks that financial scarcity did not allow her to complete her childrens education but she will not let this happen to her grandchild. She has a plan to send her children school. Simultaneously she wants to purchase a land for her family and build a semi-pacca house. Sayatunnesa is a warrior who wins the battle of life. She has defeated all of her misery to pacing a glorious day. She says with a visionary eye, ÒUvKvi jvBM¨v †cvjvcvBb‡Mv †jnvcov KivB‡Z cvwi bvB, Gnb bvwZ bvZwb‡Mv civB‡Z WivB bvÓ.

“RDF’s assistance makes my Dream near to factual”.

 Hasi Begum

  

Hasi Begum lives with her husband Abu Al Ahsan and two younger sons at Kumrakhali village under Barguna district. Before SIDR tragedy, she had a pond of 30 decimal, a small poultry farm and 65 decimal cultivable lands. Using this asset source (fish farming, poultry farm and vegetable production) she would have managed her family and her children continued study. But happiness didn’t continue in their family for the long time. Due to recurrent attack of SIDR & AILA the whole coastal region were destroyed and including Hasi Begum. The people of that region lost everything what they had. Her house was damaged, poultry farm demolished and the pond was submerged. Hasi begum with her husband and children turned survivors from death. Though she has survived but she enters into the war. As a result, managing food for her family members was a big challenge.

Then she noticed that RDF has been providing financial and technical supports under its Microfinance Program and subsequently she became one of the beneficiaries of RDF and at 1^st phase in 2011 she received credit TK. 50,000. By this money she renovates her farm as climate resilience infrastructure and bought 100 hens. At the 2^nd phase in 2012 she received credit amount of TK. 1,00,000/- and bought 500 hens. At present Hasi Begum has been availing credit facilities of Tk. 2,00,000/- from RDF and she expanded her farm. Now Hasi Begum has 4 large farms in terms of size and she has 5,000 chicks and hens in her poultry farm.

By the poultry farm she earns TK. 36,000/- per month. Thus she leads her family very smoothly than before. She is expecting that her income will be TK. 60,000 per month in the next year. Now her elder son studied in a university.

Hasi Begum who has not only showed us her significant changes but simultaneously she has proved once again a universal truth that it is the person who drives her fate. Fate cannot drive a person if he/she has dedication to do something. Hasi begum desired to buy 8 decimal lands and wants to set up a hatchery for her husband’s mark of respect.

== 0 ==

  “‡nuvPU LvIqvi ciI AviwWGd

†_‡K FY †bqvi ci Avgvi Ae¯’v

fv‡jv AB‡Q|”

Nizamuddin

  

Md. Nizamuddin lives with his three children at Bashbunia village in Barguna Sadar Upazila under Barguna district. He had a Saw Mill, a dispensary & a fish farm and on the bank of the pond he used to cultivate banana. Nizamuddin was a very hard worker and a very high-quality farmer. Through his self motivated skill he could have managed his family very well and his children would have gone to school.

But as like other people of the coastal belt he was severely attacked by SIDR & AILA and his family was squandered bitterly. His Saw Mill, dispensary and Banana garden were collapsed totally and the pond was submerged. As a result on that situation it was so tough for him to manage family.

On that critical situation, Nizamuddin was informed about RDF Microfinance Program and he received loan TK. 5,000 from RDF in 2012. By this money he repaired his pond and banana garden but he could not earn money because Cyclone MAHASEN hit again in 16^th April 2013 and destroyed everything. All his endeavors went in vein what he achieved after SIDR & AILA. He became stranded and helpless. Once more RDF stood beside Nizamuddin and he received credit facility of Tk. 1,50,000 in 2013. With that amount he repaired his pond and banana garden and simultaneously he invested partial amount of money for fish farming and repaired his dispensary. At present he earns Tk. 10,000 per month from his fish farm as well as Tk. 5,000 and Tk. 3,000 per month from his dispensary and banana garden respectively.Fromthis three sector on average he gets about Tk.18,000 per month. By this he smoothly maintains his family.

In future, Nizamuddin wants to expand his fish farm, concurrently he wants to increase his banana garden. Now he has strength to restart his Saw Mill business. “‡nuvPU LvIqvi ciI AviwWGd †_‡K FY †bqvi ci Avgvi Ae¯’v fv‡jv AB‡Q|”

Faruk’s Bold Step to Challenge the Fate……….

Faruk Mridha, a farmer of North Tiakhali village under Amtoli Upazila of Barguna district. He has 2 acres of cultivable land but despite of having the huge amount of land he was not able to produce adequate rice to maintain his family year round. The most unfortunate matter was that he had to depend on natural rainfall for the cultivation. He used to get plenty of rice when adequate water is available. But due to climate change and other recurrent natural disasters and the fluctuating nature of climate, he was not able to receive a good yield. As a result, at the end of the year in spite of having huge land he had to buy rice for maintaining his big family. After that, he identified the problem and that is irregular and insufficient water supply is the major obstacle for having a good harvest.

RDF introduced Solar Irrigation Pumping System (SIPS) under its GPDP program in the southern part of Bangladesh to resolve this problem as well as to ensure food security and with this visionary objective RDF makes a water shed steps towards Faruk’s door step.

It was the joint initiative of RDF & Faruk Mridha and installed a Solar Irrigation Pumping System (SIPS) in North Tiakhali village. Some other farmers also have shakes their hands with Faruk Mridha & RDF accordingly. Now they are getting incessant and uninterrupted water supply during the whole year and able to harvest 3 crops round the year. They are now very happy and smile do not deplete from their faces.

The above picture reflects their present situation which resulting the benchmarks of achievements. RDF recognizes this as Faruk’s initiative and milestone which is an example for others as well as another milestone set up by RDF.  

= = =

Kazi’s initiative milestone for others…

Mr. Ruhul Amin Kazi, a farmer who lives in Choto Nilganj village under Amtoli Upazila of Barguna district. He has approximately 20 Acres of cultivable land but the extreme unfortunate matter was that he had to depend on natural rainfall for the cultivation. He used to get plenty of rice when adequate water is available. But due to climate change and other recurrent natural disasters and the fluctuating nature of climate, he was not able to receive a good harvest. As a result, at the end of the year in spite of having huge land he had to buy rice for maintaining his big family. After that, he identified the problem and that is irregular and insufficient water supply is the major obstacle for having a hood harvest.

RDF introduced Solar Irrigation Pumping System (SIPS) under its GPDP program in the southern part of Bangladesh to resolve this problem as well as to ensure food security and with this visionary objective RDF makes a foot towards Kazi’s door step.

It was the joint initiative of RDF & Mr. Ruhul Amin Kazi and installed a Solar Irrigation Pumping System (SIPS) in Choto Nilganj. Some other farmers also have shakes their hands with Kazi & RDF accordingly. Now they are getting incessant and uninterrupted water supply during the whole year and able to harvest 3 crops round the year. They are now dam happy and smile do not deplete from their faces.

The above picture reflects their present situation which is full of milestones and achievements. RDF recognizes this as Kazi’s initiative and milestone which is an example for others as well as another benchmark set up by RDF.

= = =

Profile & words of Jainob Begum

Family ties:  Husband: Sentu Mia
Children: 4 sons and 1 daugther 
Occupation: Hen Rearing

“I would like to express my cordial thanks to RDF for bringing a remarkable change in my family.”

Effective training, proper monitoring and timley recognition can change someone life. Jainob Begum from Sawdagor Para village is one of them who transformed her life having training and rcognition from RDF. Post diasater period of SIDR in Barguna, people like Jainob Begum started discovering themselves as houseless, incomeless. Even they lost their familiy members which determine a vicsious situation that total system collapse absolutelty. Economy of the coastal districts were strugling to move forward. On that circumstances, GIZ and RDF started CARP program to rebuild the societal circumstances with extended devlopement programs so that people can get their cofidence again and lead a peaceful life. Having training from RDF on poultry under this program Jainob transformed her life even better than pervious. She started her activities by getting one hen shelter and 8 hens from RDF. Now she is an owner of a poultry farm. One of the prime example of her affluence is now her children are going school which indicates a better future of Jainob.

= = =

Profile & words of 
Mamafru (A rakhaign lady):

Age: 40 Years 
Family ties:Husband and two sons 
Occupation:Vegetable Cultivator

“SIDR” makes devastating affect over the community of the southern part of Bangladesh. Many people lost their families, members and belongings. Mamafru is a successful vegetable gardener but two years back she led a miserable life as she didn’t have anything which could indicate her as an affluent person. She used to catch crab from river and collects branches of the tree and sells these things in to the market for her livelihood. SIDR makes her life more stressful with its impact. Afterwards the situation has been changed on her life by associating herself with RDF as she got training, financial support and cultivation material like seeds from CARP project which is a joint initiative between German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and RDF. After getting training from CARP, she has proved herself as a successful entrepreneur who can make example for others. Now she cultivates cucumber, brinjal and maize and sell these things at Tk. 40,000 with profit. Continuing this effort, this year she has produced 240 kg. Korolla and sold it on tk. 60,000 with profit. With the growing trend, she not only makes large her garden also make changes in her life. Now her two sons are going school. Her husband also helps her in activities and they are leading a very peaceful life. She says, “It would not be possible for me to do so many things without the help of RDF, Now I am much better than before.”

= = =

Now Moni is a primary School Student

RDF has different initiatives to develop and save coastal area and that is why RDF has established non-formal basic education center for children to prepare them mentally to get entrance in the formal education system. The picture shown that ‘Moni’ is a girl of 11 years old who is mentally retarded from the beginning of her birth and her whole family is having this problem including her father and her brothers and sisters. To cope up the situation, Moni first admitted herself in the RDF pre-primary non-formal school in Gazi Mahmud Village in 2010 and now she is quite normal and start going to primary school. This is possible only for RDF pre-primary non-formal school activities where she found full guidance with friendly environment which is required to transform to come back in normal life. We would like to share this success with all of our community that every problem has a solution but we have to take initiative to solve it. Our one initiative can change the society in better way towards a youthful and successful Bangladesh.

= = =

Solar electricity and Shefali’s anticipation

Technology transfer is one of the core activities of RDF, we always believe in innovation and transformation which are moving towards development. Solar home system is an initiative that opened new dimension for rural people for up gradation of their life. People living in rural circumference did not get the electricity facilities so they are lagging behind from the contemporary status of the society. Our initiative goes for those who didn’t feel the modernization that they could switch a light in their house besides our national crisis. Shefali Begum is a woman from the Dalvanga village under Dhalua union of Barguna. She got RDF solar home system in 2011. Being satisfied she expressed her words that RDF’s Solar as changed our life pattern, Now we can switch on the light. She also expressed her thought that using solar it would be beneficial for her because it is less costly than kerosene and it is easier to pay installment of solar rather than using traditional lamp. She also added that solar also open the space in her life as her children can continue their education even at night as well which is not that much easier previously. Therefore, we would like to share that these are the initiatives that we can take for rural development which is environment friendly as well as cost effective.

Monica run for school again…… 

Monica Debnath is a student of class seven in Barguna Government Girls’ School who lives in Khajurtola village under Barguna Sadar Upazila. Her father died by the devastating SIDR in 2007 and they became vulnerable after the impact of SIDR. They had no income generating source in their family. Having this concern, where managing livelihood is a question; school is absolutely lavish material for them. RDF takes many initiatives in post disaster period of SIDR where one approach is “Kishori Sanglap”. Girls, who are dropped out from the school by any reason, can back to school again. But to implement this initiative, RDF launched Kishori Shonglap activities under SMDP where adolescent girls can educate themselves by getting themselves admitted in the schools again. Not only that, one of the major objectives of this program is empowerment of community women/girls by which they can make changes in their living standard. This is one of the remarkable initiatives of RDF funded by STROMME Foundation. Under this program girls get training on Duck & Hen rearing, Karchupi and Tailoring; after receiving training from this program, Monica is now a skilled worker who started income with this activity and simultaneously continuing school again. This year she enrolled herself in class eight. Now she is living a peaceful life with her family by continuing steps towards future.

= = =

Now Rashida Enjoys Cooking…..

Name: Rashida Begum

Family: Husband, one son and one daughter

Occupation: Hotel Busines

Development determines progress, comfort, satisfaction and economic stability but it depends on level of the circumstance and society. Improve cooking stove (ICS) is a new upgrade in rural life that people are used to with traditional one but having concern on the impact of traditional stove that it consume more fuel and happen health disease; RDF launch ICS for the betterment of the rural life as well as to save the environment. Rashida Begum (40) is one of our successful beneficiaries who uses ICS for her hotel business in Choto Bazar under Karaibari Union of Amtoli Upazilla. In business, Rashida plays her role as a cook and her husband assists on her work. Expressing her experience with ICS she told that the system is really cost effective for her business as the system reduces her cost considering fuel. She also realizes that using ICS emits fewer fumes than traditional system that flue gases are also taken out of the kitchen so that the kitchen becomes more comfortable for the cook also save cooking time and less blackening of the utensils. Now Rashida is happy with her business as low cost ICS increased her profit margin. She is now enjoying disease free health and her husband is more than happy for time savings.

= = =

Profile & Words of Sajeda Begum

Age: 46 Years

Family Ties: Husband, one son and one daughter with grand children’s

Sajeda Begum, a successful small entrepreneur of RDF who established a benchmark by receiving micro credit support from RDF. Sajeda has been living with her family in Mitha Choumuhoni of Barguna Sadar Upazila under Barguna district. She has 4 family members comprising one son, one daughter, her husband and a grand child. But two years back there was a certain accident made Sajeda’s husband physically diosable. As a result she became very helpless because her husband was unable to do any work.

On that very crucial time, RDF stood besides Sajeda and supported her by giving Tk. 15,000. In addition to the financial support RDF arranged training for the beneficiaries like Sajeda Begum to explore the potentialities of the beneficiaries before giving money.

After receiving training in 2010 Sajeda bought a cow & now she is getting Tk. 150 per day by selling milk and at present the price of the cow is Tk. 40000 which is an asset for her.

With a harmonious smile in her face Sajeda says, “RDF is the light for the poor, RDF is the address for all our regrets”. Now her grand children are going school and she is capable enough to continue her husband’s treatment. Moreover she is maintaining her family in a very organized way and she is returning her loan to RDF on a regular basis.

RDF is working on positive societal change through women empowerment and for this RDF firmly believes that as women are the major parts of the society so no development can be achieved or stable without the involvement of women in development activities.