Symbiosis International

Story:
Kalpona is 35 years old. She lived in shalkona village in Dhobaura upazila under Mymensingh district. She is married and she has two children. She was landless. Her husband was a day laborer .Her family income was 60 taka per day. But it was not sufficient income to maintain her family. Sometime when her husband did not get any work then they had to live without any food. She was illiterate and her children could not go to school. She was not healthy and her children were poor health. Kalpona was rejected by the community.

One day a Symbiosis worker went to Kalpona’s house. After talking with her Symbiosis worker knew about Kalpona’s family and felt sorry. Symbiosis Staff talked about Symbiosis work with Kalpona. Kalpona dreamt a dream of a new life after hearing about Symbiosis Work. She joined a functional education group in 1998 and finished it successfully. Then she joined a savings group. She used to give 5 taka a week to the savings group. This savings group was able to save 5000 thousands taka by one year. She received training about tailoring from Symbiosis. Then she took a loan Tk.2500 from the savings to buy a sawing machine. She started to make children and women’s dress and her husband sold this dress in the local market. Now her family income is at list 3000-4000 thousands taka per month.
Now Kalpona is very happy. She is giving nutritious food to her children. Her children are going to school regularly. Her elder son reads in class eight and second younger son reads in class two. They drink arsenic free water and use sanitary latrine. She gets some training such as women’s right, leadership, kitchen garden TBA etc. She is grateful to Symbiosis Bangladesh for these kind support and cooperation.

Analysis: Though Kalpona was a poor and illiterate women and the community rejected her. But now she is literate, self depend and the community respects her.