Noakhali, Bangladesh —
Usually, the craftsmen of such stories remain behind the scenes. Even if the words sound like a fairy tale, they are quite authentic and touching. Since these changes leave a permanent mark on people’s hearts, they go beyond the imagination of common humanity. Though these people suffered poverty throughout their lives, they eventually became witnesses to the generosity of individuals and organizations. Here, we share one such story.
In June 2020, the Livelihood Development Center–3 of the Nadona Livelihood Project, implemented by CZM in Devpur village of Nadona Union under Sonaimuri Upazila in Noakhali District, included a very poor daily wage laborer, Harunur Rashid (40), and his wife, Afrin Akhter Polly (35). Initially, they received training on cattle rearing. A few days later, they were given BDT 10,000 to buy goats in the first phase.
The couple bought two goats initially. After six months, the goats gave birth to four kids, increasing the total number to six. Later, CZM provided them with another BDT 10,000 in cash. By selling goats and adding their savings, they bought a cow for BDT 40,000 in the second phase. From that point on, they never had to look back.
The couple was completely penniless, yet they chose to invest the money productively instead of spending it. Their wise decision brought positive results. In the meantime, CZM officers proposed building a house for the couple—something they had never imagined. Team CZM constructed a house with two rooms, a veranda, a kitchen, and a sanitary toilet. One unimaginable event followed another in their lives.
Two years ago, they struggled to send their children to school. Now, their eldest son, Anisur Rahman, is studying at Granada Academy, an English-medium school run by the Center for Zakat Management in the area. Another son is receiving Islamic education. For the family, these changes once seemed like fairy tales. They could never have imagined becoming self-sufficient so suddenly.
Currently, the monthly income of Harunur Rashid and Afrin Akhter Polly’s family is around BDT 20,000. They raise cows and sell milk, rear goats, and earn income from ducks, roosters, pigeons, and a family vegetable garden. They cultivate seasonal vegetables such as gourd, beans, bitter gourd, brinjal, and sweet pumpkin.
With financial support from CZM and proper income-generating training, they have significantly increased their family income. Harunur Rashid has invested in cow rearing, cattle fattening, and goat rearing multiple times. The entire family receives medical care from the nearby CZM Health Center. This support has reduced medical expenses, contributing further to their financial stability.
They have also received fruit and forest tree seedlings, sanitary toilets, winter clothes, technical training, vegetable seeds for nutrition gardens, and training on income-generating activities and their proper implementation. To sustain success, creative thinking, problem-solving ability, foresight, prudence, hard work, and effective time management are essential. Harunur Rashid is also gaining knowledge in information technology and maintains proper records of income and expenses.
A joint income pathway has been established involving the husband, wife, and son. Their sources of income include dairy cows, goats, pigeons, 20–30 ducks and roosters, a nutrition garden, and fruit and forest trees. Health awareness has increased; they now use hygienic toilets and drink safe water.
The final joyful news is that Afrin Akhter Polly plans to establish a mini farm for raising ducks, roosters, and cows in the near future. She dreams of educating her sons and daughters at universities and is committed to reducing dependency and eliminating unemployment through job creation.
Polly and Harun believe from their hearts that just as their lives have been illuminated, the lives of CZM donors and officers will also remain safe and blessed “under the shadow of Allah’s mercy.” Everyone hopes that this couple will serve as a role model for all poverty-stricken families in the area. Along with this, there is a collective expectation that CZM will continue its humanitarian activities across Bangladesh so that no family is left below the poverty line.
