Microcredit brings self reliance to destitute

The cooperative microcredit loan facilities have made dozens of families, affected by river bank erosion, at Purbo Kochua- 1 Asrayan Prokalpo in Rangpur self-reliant through various income generation activities.

Apart from becoming self-reliant after 100 percent loan payments, the 90 rehabilitated homeless families in nine barracks there under Nohali union of Gangachara upazila have made own assets through proper utilisation of the microcredit loans.

Talking to the news agency, the rehabilitated inhabitants said they got back new life and address with ensured livelihoods following the microcredit loan facilities under the government's comprehensive social safety net programmes.

After getting training, input and support from local government departments, they are being provided with interest-free revolving microcredit loans at only 8 percent service charge rate from the Upazila Cooperative Office for income generating activities.

"We are making good profits to raise our capitals through small-scale business, animal husbandry, poultry rearing, tree plantation, vegetables and fruit farming," said rehabilitated Nazrul Mian, 58, Bulbuli Begum, 43, and Tobiya Khatun, 53.

Rehabilitated couple Alef Uddin, 55, and Feroza Khatun, 45, said they became homeless 13 years back along with many others as the Teesta devoured everything they had in nearby village Purbo Kochua Fakirpara.

They narrated the miserable days they passed for years amid uncertainty with son Sirajul, 23, and daughter Arjuma Khatun, 21, on the lands of others and flood control embankments.