Bashundhara Group helps hill women realise their dreams

Behind the breathtaking beauty of the green hills lie the silent struggles of many families. Difficult terrain, limited employment opportunities, uncertain income from jhum cultivation and the rising cost of essentials make daily life a constant struggle for many families in Alikadam and Bandarban Sadar upazilas. 

For women from ethnic minority communities, income opportunities are particularly limited, with many relying mainly on jhum cultivation. Financial hardship, children's education and uncertainty about the future remain part of their daily lives. 

Against this backdrop, Bashundhara Group has provided sewing machines to 40 disadvantaged women from the two upazilas after they completed a three-month sewing training programme.

The machines were handed over to the women at separate programmes held recently at the halls of Alikadam and Bandarban Sadar upazilas, offering them an opportunity to turn their newly acquired skills into a source of income.

The beneficiaries included students and women from different ethnic communities.

Organisers said many women from low-income families remain deprived of opportunities to become self-reliant because of limited employment prospects and household responsibilities.

To create self-employment opportunities and help women become financially independent, Bashundhara Shuvosangho arranged the sewing machine distribution programme. Earlier, the beneficiaries received three months of free sewing training.

The training and sewing machines have opened up new opportunities for the women to use their skills and earn an income.

One of the beneficiaries, Masingching Marma, is a Class X student at Loting Lotus Shishu Sadan Residential High School and lives in Rening Para in Bandarban Sadar. Her father, Thoaichingnu Marma, works as an office assistant at a primary school.

With the family's limited income, Masingching and her sister are continuing their studies. She dreams of supporting her family by learning sewing alongside her studies.

She believes the sewing machine she received after completing the training will help her move closer to that goal.

Another beneficiary, Mesainu Marma, is a fourth-year honours student in the Department of History at Bandarban Government College. Her father, Sabai U Marma, supports the family through farming.

Her mother died several years ago, and Mesainu has continued her studies with her father's limited income. She sees the training and sewing machine as a new opportunity to build her future.

She hopes to earn an income through sewing alongside her studies and contribute to her family's financial needs.

Shyamoli Tanchangya, another beneficiary, is a second-year undergraduate student at Bandarban Government College. Her father, Kadam Tanchangya, has a limited income, while her brother's earnings from an NGO job help the family make ends meet.

Shyamoli dreams of continuing her studies while supporting her family. She believes sewing will allow her to earn her own income and share the family's financial responsibilities.

Another beneficiary, Chammum Mro, is a Class XII student at Alikadam College. Her father, Rengkai Mro, supports a large family of three sons and eight daughters through jhum cultivation.

When the harvest is good, the family manages to put food on the table, while a poor harvest brings greater uncertainty. Despite these difficulties, Chammum continues her studies and sees the sewing machine from Bashundhara Group as a potential means of improving her family's circumstances.

Alikadam Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Sohel Rana said the sewing machine distribution programme was a timely initiative.

“Providing sewing training and machines to women in marginalised areas is undoubtedly a humanitarian initiative. It will create self-employment opportunities for women and help them make economic progress,” he said.

Officer-in-Charge of Bandarban Sadar Police Station Md Shahed Parvez thanked Bashundhara Group for providing free sewing training and machines to women in remote areas.

“I hope this noble initiative will help women become self-reliant and play an important role in their socioeconomic development,” he said.

Bandarban District Press Club President Aminul Haque Bachchu said the initiative went beyond simply distributing sewing machines. 

“Bashundhara Shuvosangho first provided three months of free training, allowing the beneficiaries to develop their skills. As a result, the machines are not merely assistance but a means of creating long-term self-employment,” he said.

Bashundhara Shuvosangho Bandarban district unit President Uai Sing Marma said many women in the hill areas remain deprived of employment opportunities because of various limitations.

“If women are trained and given employment opportunities, it can bring positive changes to their families and communities. This initiative by Bashundhara Shuvosangho will encourage women to move towards self-reliance,” he said.

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Most of the 40 beneficiaries belong to ethnic minority communities, while many are students. Receiving the sewing machines, the women said the machines would help them continue their studies and build a better future.

They expressed gratitude to Bashundhara Group and Bashundhara Shuvosangho for supporting them in pursuing their dreams. 

Residents said employment opportunities for women in the hill areas remain limited. They said initiatives like this would not only bring smiles to the faces of several families but also encourage more women to become self-reliant.

They described the Bashundhara Group initiative as a message of new hope for women in the hills.