Self-Employment Projects
<i>Sidr victim Kanon removes her woes</i>
Kanon Bala, one of the worst victims of tropical cyclone Sidr, has become self-reliant by cultivating different kinds of vegetables under an alternative employment programme.
Kanon, a resident of Joymonigol village in Mongla upazila, suffered massive losses due to the cyclone, which wrought havoc on the country, especially in costal districts, on November 15, 2007.
With a hope to recoup the losses, Kanon Bala started farming vegetables after taking financial assistance and training from a project titled 'Improved Food Livelihood and Security (IFLS)'.
“There was no alternative to me after being hit by the Sidr. So, I paid my full attention to cultivation of vegetables. Finally, I got reward and I am now self-dependent and passing happy days with my family,” Kanon told.
Her success story is now inspiring her co-villagers.
She is not alone. About 7,500 families were benefited from the project, which was initiated by Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM).
DAM along with Caritas Bangladesh, ADD International and International Training Network (ITN), Buet, is implementing the project in Rampal, Mongla and Sharankhola upazilas of Bagerhat with the financial support of the European Union and CAFORD, UK.
The objectives of the projects are to make people financially self-reliant, raise awareness about the negative impacts of climate change and enable them to face natural disaster.
The project is aimed at boosting income generating activities, food production and improving nutritional standard by engaging locals in agriculture and fish cultivation.
The three-year long project, which started in March, 2011, is being executed among 7,500 families. The beneficiaries are mostly poor and physically challenged.
Project coordinator of DAM Moklesur Rahman said people were given training on how to become self-reliant. Meeting on courtyards and 'jarigaan' (a kind of chorus) took place to raise awareness on facing losses and risk during a disaster.
As part of preparation during disaster, they were asked to store foods, save money, make moveable oven and house on high land. They were also given first aid instrument and medicine.
Disaster management committee members at union and upazila levels were trained and disaster drill performed by them and essay writing, drawing and debate competition held among school students.
To solve water and power problems, ITN, Buet introduced solar power and solar based water purification system at cheap rate.
Mongla Upazila Nirbahi Officer Dr Mizanur Rahman said the project of DAM motivated shrimp farming, salt-tolerant cultivation and alternative employment in a planned way.
Cultivation of salt-tolerant paddy, vegetables and planting trees are on rise due to awareness and training, which made people interested in alternative employment, he said.
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