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Bangladesh: Yesmin's clever choices |
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Yesmin, 26, is a housewife and a mother of two living in an impoverished urban community of Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh. She’s made some wise choices so far in life, and the best one of all was to finish her education.
It hasn’t been easy. In 1997, Yesmin completed her lower secondary education and knew that she wanted to keep on going. There was so much more still to learn.
“At the time my family’s economical situation was not good. I had to find work so that I could continue my studies,” says Yesmin.
Her level of schooling was already good enough to provide her with part-time employment, as a pre-school teacher with World Vision’s development program in Cox’s Bazaar.
“My earnings from World Vision helped pay for my educational expenses and clothing. Additionally, I was able to give some money to my family,” Yesmin said.
After passing her higher secondary certificate in 1999, Yesmin’s qualifications and interests kept her with World Vision as a community health facilitator.
Along with other women of Cox’s Bazaar, Yesmin participated in training courses, including healthcare, nutrition, bookkeeping and accounting, animal husbandry, vegetable cultivation, HIV/AIDS and candle making.
After her marriage five years ago, Yesmin was able to put her skills to the test in her own home life. She now keeps busy with her two lively children, a son aged four and a daughter aged one.
“My learning and experience at World Vision enabled me to maintain appropriate steps to give birth to healthy babies," says Yesmin proudly. "I took nutritious but cheap food before, after and during my pregnancies. My knowledge helps me to maintain a healthy and hygienic environment for my family."
In 2002, Yesmin and her fellow community women formed a micro-finance group with the guidance of World Vision. Yesmin volunteers her numeracy skills to help maintain the group, and makes regular money deposits. In return, she has been able to take out two loans to help her husband invest in a small shrimp hatchery.
“The education, training, financial assistance – everything from World Vision has helped us to stand on our feet, “ Yesmin said.
Yesmin’s son Toffazal, a sponsored child, started at preschool this year. With Yesmin’s help, he is already able to recognize the alphabet in Bangla and English. Her daughter will also attend school when she is older.
Yesmin is grateful to World Vision for the opportunities she’s had, and she’s looking forward to seeing the next generation achieve even more. “I want my son and daughter to be educated so that they, too, can benefit our society,” she says.
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