Saving with fistful rice turns boon for them

A few poor women belonging to an association at Majhipara village in Aditmari upazila under Lalmonirhat district hold their weekly savings, collected as fistful rice on daily basis, to put it in a drum. PHOTO: STAR

Twenty-nine women belonging to ultra poor families at Majhipara village of Sarpukur union in Aditmari upazila under the district now eye changing their life through small savings, thanks to the initiative of Social Economical Transformation of the Ultra poor (SETU) project of CARE Bangladesh.

Under the project, 29 women formed a group styled 'Musti Chaler Samity' (association for collecting fistful rice) a year ago and continued saving, taking a fistful of rice from the daily meal of each family.

In this way, each one collects at least one kg of rice in a depot every week.

The total deposit, 29 kg of rice is kept with one of the members through a lottery in presence of all members and a SETU official on the premises of a temple at the village.

“Collection of fistful rice does not affect our daily meal but it helps us a lot. I have purchased some hens and ducks by selling accumulated fistful rice three months ago,” said Sarathi Rani, a member of the association.

Another member Parul Rani said she bears the cost of study materials for her two children by selling such rice.

Subola Rani of the same group said, “I purchased medicines for our child selling fistful rice two months ago. I hope to buy a goat by selling fistful rice next time.”

A few other members including Binodini Rani, Shefali Rani, Sandhya Rani said SETU officials motivated them to involve in the beneficial system.

"We motivate the ultra poor people to fight against poverty. Our project also provides funds to help the ultra poor people continue their family profession and do small businesses," said Rezaul Karim, community facilitator of SETU project.

After working with SETU project, the ultra poor people at Majhipara village are now much aware about changing their life through collective efforts, said Ashraful Alam, project manager of SETU.