The Journey

My name is Thomas Biswas and I am 35 years old. In April, 2000 I joined a small organization called Baptist Aid-BBF as a project manager in their Total Community Development Project based in Mymensingh district. It was an integrated community programme where some couples would be placed in different rural areas and through them or under their direct supervision and participation the development activities would run.

It was a completely new idea for me because though I had previous experience on community development programmes, this couple based concept was not familiar to me or to my other co-workers there. But we started learning about it gradually as we worked together on that project. In a short time, our team work was reflected as we managed to achieve our targets fully. The community people were also happy with what we were doing. Soon enough the TCDC project was certified as a model project of Baptist Aid-BBF.

Personally for me it was a great achievement. After serving there, I was transferred to another development project of Baptist Aid-BBF which is in Rajbari district. I worked there for almost 3 years and then I came here to the Chandpur TCDC as project manager. I am very delighted to get the opportunity to work in different areas. In my years of working, I have gained experience and developed my skills. I am ready again to take the challenge of bringing a smile to the people of my new project area. I really hope that with the help of my efficient colleagues this project will be another model for Baptist Aid-BBF and through this we will be able to really change people’s lives.

Hope for a Sore Heart

My name is Sajeda Begum. I live in Dokhin Balia village in Chandpur district. My husband’s name is Shahid Gazi. He works as a contract farmer in others’ land as we do not have our own land. With three sons and two daughters, we spend our days in great hardship as my husband is the only earning member in our family and he earns very little.

One day I came to know about the savings group that TCDC is forming in our area. I was interested about the idea and joined in one of the savings group in Dokhin Balia named the ‘Shapla Womens’ Saving’s Group’. I also joined in the Adult Literacy class which is giving me the chance to learn how to read and write.

After some days of my joining in the savings group, I took a loan of Tk 500 from it to invest in cultivation. My husband and I feel that this money though very little in amount but helped us a lot in time of our need. It surely helped us in having better production, thus helped in earning more money. We also feel that if this savings group continues, many other poor people like us will be benefited though it. My husband always encourages me to participate in the group.

I regularly join in the group meetings and save money. I try to inspire my neighbors and acquaintances about this group so that they also join there. I wish best of luck for the future of this project. May Allah bless all.

Foot in the Door!!

Smriti Tripura is a 6 years old girl living in Dokhin Balia village. Her father’s name is Rakhal Tripura and her mother’s name is Rupali Tripura. She is the third child of her parents. Her father is a simple rickshaw- puller while her mother is a housewife. The economic status of her family is very poor and often they have to remain half fed.

It was a dream for her family that she or her sisters will get the chance of getting education as they do not have the capacity to bear the expenses. But when her parents learnt that TCDC is offering pre-school facility for the community children, from the Community Development Organizer of Dokhin Balia center, they were happy about that. Smriti has already learnt to read and write the alphabets both Bengali and English. She also learnt counting, word building etc. Besides, she is learning about primary health rules and how to respect others from her teachers.

She loves the school activities very much and eagerly waits for the time when school starts and she could meet her friends there. Smriti’s parents are thankful to TCDC for giving this wonderful chance to their daughter.

How Rabeya Got Her Dream Back

I am Rabeya Begum. I am a resident of Gunorajdi village in Chandpur district where I live with my husband and 2 daughters. My husband works as a day labourer and he is the only earning source of our family.

I was married off at a very young age and I never had the chance to attend schools. After marriage, I moved with my husband and my days passed by looking after my husband’s family and my little daughters.

Then one day an organization named Chandpur TCDC starts working in our village. The workers there told the villagers about their programs which include schooling activities, savings activities, literacy programs for adults and many more. It never occurred to me before that I, as an adult can have the opportunity to get literacy training again. Though there were many times in my life when I sighed inside and thought that if only I could read and write!

So when I heard about their Adult Literacy program, I was interested but at the same time I felt some hesitation about what my neighbours or relatives might say about me starting to go to school at this age! Then I shared my hesitation with my husband and he encouraged me to get enrolled in the Adult Literacy group. So I did. Now I can read and write my own name and I am even learning to maintain the accounts of my family.

Not only me, but my elder daughter is also a part of Chandpur TCDC as she goes to the pre-school there. My other daughter is still very little, only two years of age. But when she is of the age, I will definitely send her to school.

The best thing of my Adult Literacy training is that I can now teach the alphabets to my elder daughter and help her in doing homework. This is something which has changed my life in a way and all I can do is to thank the organization for bringing this golden chance to my door. I wish all the best for the project.