<i>Once burden to society, Rashedul now leads a respectable life</i>
Physically challenged Rashedul Islam, hailing from Kabirajtari village in Sundarganj upazila of Gaibandha district, now leads a dignified life as he lives in a suitable home, earns a moderate income by operating a sewing machine and moves around with ease on a wheelchair. Photo: STAR
Crawling on his knees, Rashedul once begged from door to door to make a living. It was tough for this 22-year-old physically challenged youth.
Today he earns Tk 800 every month by operating sewing machines and leads a normal life like any of his able neighbours.
“I am obliged to Centre for Disability in Development (CDD) for providing me with a wheel chair, a job and a home befitting for people like us,” said Rashedul Islam, who hails from Kabirajtari village of Sundarganj upazila.
The house has bathroom and kitchen facilities and other arrangements made to suit the physically challenged besides easy access to anywhere in the compound with their wheel chairs.
At least 18 physically challenged people of Sreepur union in Sundarganj are leading similar improved lives like Rashedul.
With an aim to rehabilitate the physically challenged with suitable jobs in a friendly atmosphere, the Dhaka based non-government organisation CDD and local NGO Gano Unnayon Kendro (GUK) jointly implemented the programme in six villages of Sreepur union.
Donor agency Christian Blind Mission (CBM), an international humanitarian organisation, extended necessary financial support for the programme's implementation.
The NGOs constructed tin-shed houses for the 18 physically challenged people, spending Tk 91,000 for each one.
Besides, each of them was given Tk 15,000 cash for rehabilitation.
Alongside, the organisation provided them with training on operating sewing machines, homestead gardening and fish cultivation.
The organisation also provided monetary help to 42 other physically challenged people in the area.
GUK Programme Officer S K Mamun said more such people could be rehabilitated if they had adequate support from donor agencies.
CDD Project Coordinator Brojo Gopal Saha said the outcome of the pilot project was inspiring and there was scope to rehabilitate more in future.
Sreepur union chairman S M Ruhul Amin appreciated the CDD's rehabilitation endeavours. He said it was difficult for the union parishad alone to help such people due to resource limitations.
Kajol Rekha, 25, another physically challenged woman of Nahir Khamer village said, a year after marriage she slipped and fractured both her legs. When her husband abandoned her, she moved in with her brother's family as a burden for them.
Her life changed after CDD provided her with a house and a wheelchair.
“Now I can independently operate sewing machines and rear poultry birds, earning up to Tk 1,500 to 2,000 per month,” she said.
This was not so five years ago when physically challenged people were regarded here as s burden to the family and society. But now, many like Kajol and Rashedul are earning a living of their own.
Comments