Md. Mukter Hossain, Horirampur, Manikgonj
Forty-six-years-old Rafiza Begum lives in Patgram Char (sandbars that emerged as islands within the river channel) banks of the mighty river Padma of Horirampur upazila under Manikganj district with her husband Mochon Miyan and with two children. She had to shift her thatched house twice due to river bank erosion.
However, chronic illness made Mochon Miyan, a peasant, giving up his physically demanding occupation. He was the only earning member of his family and thus, with his unemployment, it became hard to make them the ends meet.
Rafiza has been associated with Lasraganj Char Development farmers’ organization since 2014, facilitated by BARCIK with the support from Diakonia (Sweden) and Misereor (Germany). After her husband’s demise, she shared his dismal financial condition with the members of the orgtanization. They advised her to get involved in farming as she had prior experience and ancestral knowledge for being a farm family member.
Taking their advice into consideration, initially Rafiza Begum took seeds support from community seed bank that located at her village. She also received some capacity building trainings related to techniques of agro-ecological practices that reduced her farming costs. With seeds and knowledge on farming she subsequently took lease a plot of 66 decimal for vegetable cultivation. Besides, she took parts in different awareness raising events and learning sharing exposures. Rafiza now earns approximately BDT 3000 per month by selling her farm produce.
Rafiza Begum joyously says, “My husband and I are indebted to BARCIK as they have not only assisted to earn my livelihoods but also helped me a lot to get back my confidence. Now I am happy with my life and have the knowledge, experiences and skill to go forward for making my dream into reality.’
Translated by ABM Touhidul Alam
