Symbiosis International

Rong Chahara is a group member of a savings group in the Sandbar project of Symbiosis. She was very poor before she joined in the group activities. Her husband was a daily laborer named Abdus Satter. They are living in the village call Nisintopur. They have three children, one son and two daughters. Her husband was unable to provide their needs resulting in great hardship.

Rong Chahara was always looking for ways that she could earn money for her family. One day a Symbiosis staff member was visiting Nisintopur village. Rong Chahara meet with the staff and discussed her problems. After listening to her problems, our staff advised her to join a new functional education class which would help her to gain skills to change her situation. At last she joined our Functional Education class and successfully completed the 8 month course. This then lead onto the formation of a savings group. She contributed a deposit of five taka (4 cents) per week with other group members. After completing FE now she can read, write and perform simple arithmetic. The other group members made her the cashier for the group. She took a three thousand taka ($50) loan from this savings group one year ago and started a small shop near her house. She sells her goods from her shop. Her husband also helps her. Now she can earn money. Her children are attending school regularly. They now have a sanitary latrine and drink safe water. This has contributed greatly to better health for the family. Now Rong Chahara is much happier with her life. She is very grateful with Symbiosis and Symbiosis staff for their support and co-operation.

Analysis: From the story we learn that change is possible in a person’s circumstances, if the person has the skill and willingness and dedication towards the work and has access to strategic intervention such as provided by the Symbiosis group activities.