Page 3 - The Daily Builder - Day 06

Opportunities for women and girls in many parts of Bangladesh are traditionally sparse. That’s changing, thanks
to the committed work of women-led, Heifer-supported farmer groups.

her husband, Shakhawat Islam, husband were running their farm married. Islam Akhend, 18, makes
had to take their children out of like a business. traditional Bengali clothes on a
school because they could no Through the sale of goats, cows handloom. But Sadia’s mother
Barogachi Women’s Cooperative Limited is the first co-op Heifer Bangladesh supported. Since gaining legal longer afford it. and hens, Joynob Begum and Islam is determined that her youngest
recognition from the government in 2015, Barogachi has grown from 56 members to 383. Out of that number, Then, a few years ago, Joynob improved their family’s health child will continue her education.
250 women are part of Heifer projects. Last fiscal year, shareholders received a 55 percent dividend yield, and Begum received 4,500 taka (about and nutrition. They built a larger “As long as the almighty
the cooperative netted a profit of 328,545 taka (nearly $4,000). Additionally, hundreds of loans were granted to
members for agricultural activities. $54) from Heifer Bangladesh to house out of stronger material and creator allows me to improve my
buy a goat. Although the family started saving money. Now Sadia condition, I will educate Sadia as

Girls run the World already had a couple of cows and is back in school, and the family much as possible,” Joynob Begum
some hens, training from Heifer can also afford the 500 taka ($6) a said.
built on their knowledge. After a month for tutoring. Thanks to Heifer International

By Jason Woods of her classes, Sadia’s favorite police officer, because that’s what few months, the family sold their Finishing school is something for allowing us to bring you Joynob
Photos by Joe Tobiason subject is English. “It is easy to she wants to be.” goat for 6,000 taka ($72). Before neither of Sadia’s siblings did. and Sadia’s story. You can find the
read for me,” she said. “And if I Whatever the future brings for long, Joynob Begum and her Shanaz Parvin, now 22, is original story in Heifer’s
Every day before school, learn English, it’s easy to know Sadia, it looks much brighter than World Ark magazine.
12-year-old Sadia Khushi walks about the world. It’s better for it did a couple of years ago. Before stepped outside, the women would not allow them to
to her teacher’s house for group conversations with foreigners, joining a Heifer Bangladesh Stand together pass, demanding to know where their funding had
tutoring. After coming home, and it’s easier to get a job.” project, Joynob Begum said her About two years ago, the women in Khayarmara gone and how the committee was spending the entire
showering and doing her chores, Her mother has already been family was in a financial crisis, heard their local government had committed about budget. If no account was made available, they said,
she returns for more tutoring in thinking about what that job and it was hard to keep her three $5,200 to the village’s Heifer project. But five months they would launch their own investigation into the
the evening. might be. “My plan for her is to children healthy. after the promise of money was given, they had not matter. Under pressure, the committee relented.
Her mother, Joynob Begum, work as a schoolteacher when “They were lacking in nutrition,” seen one rupee. These women did this of their own volition. They
beams as she praises her youngest she grows up,” Joynob Begum she said. “They were mostly Outraged, a group of women self-help group leaders credited their motivation to Heifer’s trainings on
daughter. “Sadia likes to study,” said. But when Sadia chimes in affected by swollen jaws. Colds, came together and sent a delegation to the next gender equity and the other 12 Cornerstones. So, it’s
she said. “She likes to go to with, “Police officer!” her mother runny noses. They had intestinal government committee meeting. They waited for the true: when women come together, entire communities
school.” smiles and quickly changes her problems like dysentery.” meeting to adjourn. When the committee members stand to benefit.
Although she does well in all mind. “I want my daughter to be a Eventually, Joynob Begum and

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