Jharna, like so many, shares the same story. Born into poverty, Jharna was married off at 15 to a rickshaw puller. Due to his ill health, Jharna’s husband struggled to pay the rent of BDT 1000. The birth of her two children forced Jharna to start work as a day laborer. Coupled with her and her husband’s meagre income, a stable and dignified life seemed like a dream.

Jharna’s dream become reality when an officer from SAJIDA Foundation’s “Amrao Manush” program came forward and introduced her to its Income Generation Activity (IGA) training. With an additional block grant of BDT 6,000, Jharna was set to start her clothing business.

However, Jharna faced obstacles when the Jurain slum was demolished, and her clients left without paying their dues. With her savings, she decided to start a crockeries business. The unconditional grant of BDT 3,000 she received from SAJIDA Foundation helped her take care of the dues.

Eventually, her tireless work made her business prosper. Jharna stated that SAJIDA Foundation’s ‘Amrao Manush’ program has helped her fulfill her dreams of dignity and stability. She was able to leave that slum hut behind, relocated to better accommodation. Jharna dreams of making her business bigger and build her own house.

“Amrao Manush gave me hope, taught me how to work and always stayed beside me when I needed them. It paved the way for me to lead a dignified life”