100 Women in Lalmonirhat Gain Skills and Income Opportunities After Three-Month Training

One hundred women from five upazilas of Lalmonirhat have received sewing machines after completing a three-month free training programme organised by Bashundhara Shuvosangho. The initiative is expected to help them earn from home, become financially self-reliant and contribute to their families.

The sewing machines were formally handed over at a ceremony held at the Lalmonirhat District Council Auditorium on October 25. Many of the recipients became emotional as they received the machines. Among them was Sajeda Begum, a homemaker from Bhotmari in Kaliganj upazila.

Expressing her joy, Sajeda Begum said, “I am extremely happy. I cannot express how wonderful I feel today. One of my dreams has come true. I will now be able to earn from home, contribute to my family and support the education of my three children.”

The distribution was organised under Bashundhara Shuvosangho’s programme to help financially disadvantaged women become self-reliant. Before receiving the machines, the women underwent three months of free sewing training. Each participant was given a sewing machine to help her begin income-generating work.

Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner Muha. Rashedul Haque Pradhan attended the programme as the chief guest, while District Council Administrator A K M Mominul Haque was present as the special guest. Writer Imdadul Haque Milon, head of Bashundhara Shuvosangho and adviser to Bashundhara Group, also attended.

Among others, Bashundhara Shuvosangho Director Zakaria Zaman, Lalmonirhat Shuvosangho advisers Principal Entazur Rahman and Sunil Kumar Sutradhar, President Jamal Hossain and General Secretary Naim Islam addressed the event. The programme was moderated by Tanmoy Ahmed Nayan, an adviser to Lalmonirhat Shuvosangho.

In his speech, Deputy Commissioner Muha. Rashedul Haque Pradhan described the initiative to make so many women self-reliant as inspiring. Appreciating Bashundhara Shuvosangho’s nationwide activities, he said such programmes also complement government efforts. He noted that distributing so many sewing machines at once was a rare event in Lalmonirhat’s history.

He added that initiatives like this, alongside government programmes, could contribute to the country's development.

District Council Administrator A K M Mominul Haque praised Bashundhara's efforts to stand beside people in need. He said the organisation works for people throughout the year and that such activities make an important contribution to the country.

Imdadul Haque Milon said this was the second phase of distributing sewing machines to 100 women in Lalmonirhat. He also mentioned that scholarships were being provided to 3,000 students who were unable to continue their education due to financial difficulties.

He said Bashundhara Shuvosangho has libraries in different parts of the country and that the organisation, along with Bashundhara Group, continues to support people in various ways. He expressed hope that the women who had received sewing machines would not only use their skills for their own work but also train other women. He encouraged them to move forward with confidence and determination.

Himu Akter, from the riverside area of Mahishkhocha in Aditmari upazila, said financial difficulties had nearly forced her to discontinue her college education. Bashundhara Shuvosangho stepped in at a critical moment, she said. With the sewing machine, she now hopes to earn money by making clothes for others and continue her studies.

“I will now be able to earn by sewing clothes for others and continue my education. I am very grateful to Bashundhara,” she said.

Another recipient, Shuli Rani, said managing her household with an ill husband and children had been difficult. Although she wanted to earn an income and support her family, she had lacked the opportunity to do so.

“I always wanted to do something to support my family. Bashundhara Shuvosangho has created that opportunity for me. I am grateful to Bashundhara,” she said.

The recipients hope to use the skills they have acquired through the training to earn from home, improve their financial condition, support household expenses and help their children continue their education.