By Tohura Khatun Lily, from Rajshahi

In a small home on the outskirts of Rajshahi city, the hum of a sewing machine carries the sound of dreams being stitched together. For 19-year-old Mosammat Shammi, that sound is not just fabric coming together rather it is the voice of her self-respect, confidence, and a new life taking shape.

Two years ago, when Shammie got married, she dreamed of a simple, happy family life. But reality turned out to be harsh. Her husband worked as a house painter. Due to his income was irregular meeting daily expenses became a relentless struggle for his family. This led Shammi to lose faith in herself.

But in that darkness, a ray of light appeared. In December 2024, a sewing training workshop organized by BARCIK changed the course of her life. In Bajekajla, Rajshahi, BARCIK arranged an eight-day training for urban poor women, and for the first time, Shammi sat down to learn sewing.

“I have never sewn before,” Shammie recalls. “They taught us step by step. First, I practiced by making clothes for my family. Then my neighbors started giving me work.”

At first, her hands trembled with uncertainty. But with patience and dedication, she kept trying. Slowly, people around her noticed her commitment and encouraged her. And that encouragement planted the seed of confidence in her thinking that if she could learn a skill, she could stand on her own feet.

She made a clever decision early on by keeping her prices low so more people would come to her. “I wanted everyone to see my work,” she explains. “If the price is low, people come. It spreads my name. Later, the income grows.”

Now she earns around BDT 1,500–2,000 per month. With that money, she supports her education and contributes to the household expenses.

But perhaps the most beautiful part of Shammi’s journey is her new dream. She wants to open her own shop. This is not just for herself, but to create work opportunities for other women too. “I used to think I was not anything. Now people know me. They praise my work. It feels so good.”

This is more than just Shammi’s story. It is a quiet but powerful testament to BARCIK’s work. By organizing one sewing workshop, BARCIK did not just teach skills, it contributes to instill the flame of confidence in a young woman’s heart.

This could be called a true empowerment boosting confidence and spreading knowledge, skills, and opportunity among women to come together and shape their dreams of becoming self-reliant. Shammi’s story reminds us how much we need practical education!