By Rina Akter from Singair, Manikganj

Bangladesh is predominantly an agrarian country. In the rural areas, men typically engage in farming, while women manage household chores. Many families in rural areas solely depend on agriculture for livelihoods. In most of the rural areas the income of men is not enough to feed a family, leaving them struggling to meet daily needs. Saving even a small amount is nearly impossible for most households. However, some men from these villages migrated abroad with dreams in their eyes, and a few of them succeed. Usually, it is the men who migrate in search of better earnings and bring home foreign currency to change their fortunes. Women, on the other hand, lag far behind in this regard.

A Woman’s Tale of Triumph

Latifa Begum, a woman from a village in Manikgonj, has written her own story of triumph, overcoming countless obstacles. She has proven that women, too, can achieve success as migrant workers if they dare to dream. Today, she stands as a living symbol of success in her village.

Latifa Begum (45), a daughter-in-law of a low-income family in Azimpur village of Singair Upazila, Manikganj district, is married to Kafil Uddin, a farmer. She is the mother of two sons. There was a time when she worked in others’ homes to feed her children. Alongside household work, she also took up manual labor like digging soil. Amidst these struggles, she decided to go abroad and pursue her dreams.

A Challenging Journey

However, her journey was far from easy. Her story is filled with obstacles and fears. Eight years ago, she learned about an opportunity to work as a domestic worker in Saudi Arabia. But there was a risk of losing all her savings if she fell into the hands of fraudulent brokers. If she stumbled once, she wouldn’t have the means to recover. Moreover, she didn’t even have the necessary funds to travel abroad. Yet, determined to change her fate, she borrowed money from relatives and used her savings to go to Bahrain.

Falling Victim to Fraud Abroad

Although she was hired as a domestic worker in Bahrain, upon arrival, she faced various forms of abuse. Initially, she was swayed by the sweet promises of the broker, but later, all communication with him was cut off. Trapped in false assurances, she couldn’t sustain herself in Bahrain and was forced to return home, burdened with debt.

Dreaming Again

For the next few years, she worked in people’s homes to support her family. In 2023, she considered going abroad again. This time, with the help of the BARCIK, she received training from the Binodpur Technical Training Center (TTC) and went to Saudi Arabia. Despite initial difficulties, she persevered with unwavering determination, conquering her fears. She wisely planned and utilized her earnings as a migrant worker. Her proper planning, and dedication led her to success.

Economic Progress

As a migrant worker, she earned foreign currency. Every month, she sends home around BDT 35,000, contributing to the country’s economy. After returning home, she bought an auto-rickshaw for her son, repaid her loans, and built a house. In order to increase her income, she purchased two cows and some ducks. The earnings from these ventures now cover her household expenses.

An Inspirational Woman

Her hard work has paid off. Her family is now a role model in the village. Not only has she achieved success herself, but she has also become an inspiration for other women in the village. This is how one woman has written her story of triumph. The success of migrant workers like her is the success of Bangladesh. Our future and self-reliance lie in their hands. We salute their achievements.