It is perhaps impossible to imagine what goes through a mother when poverty drives her to put her children in an orphanage to ensure food for them. But that’s exactly what happened with the mother of four, Meena Begum. This 36-year-old woman from Gaibandha sold everything she owned to treat her husband whom she eventually lost due to throat cancer.

What lays ahead was years of misery and impoverishment that working in people’s households could not compensate. Meena’s tragedy ended however when her journey at SWAPNO began. She used to earn BDT 4500 (USD 52) a month before. Then, after being trained in small business, tailoring and livestock management, Meena makes BDT 12000(USD 140) every month. With the savings from Rotating Savings Association, she has established an agricultural input buying-selling shop. This is a shop of selling farmer’s produced vegetables, seeds, fertilizers as well as food items. Apart from her regular income, this shop has increased her income by BDT 30,000(USD 348) per month.

“Initially peoplemocked me for setting up the shop. After seeing the success, now everyoneencourages me that I have taken a good decision by starting this business,”– she said with a smile.  

Knowledge of nutrition,leadership, disaster management broadened Meena’s outlook. Her children havestarted going to school now. In the future, Meena plans to expand her currentbusiness for ensuring proper education for her children.  

Mina’slife testifies that hard work and perseverance always pay off. No matter whatthe situation prevails, women like Mina always fight for bringing a positivechange in their lives and SWAPNO, as a poverty graduation project, is proudlysupporting them in their development journey.