From Adversity to Empowerment, The Inspiring Journey of Sheuli Khatun

Sheuli Khatun resides in Kaliganj Upazila nestled within the Satkhira district, located in the southwestern part of Bangladesh. Like many others, her story was marked by hardship and struggle. 

Five years ago, Sheuli, a mother of five, started facing immense challenges after her husband abandoned her. She struggled to meet her children’s basic needs and faced the harsh realities of poverty. Despite these obstacles, Sheuli was determined to change the circumstances.

In 2018, she joined SWAPNO (Strengthening Women’s Ability for Productive New Opportunities), a project by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), implemented by the Local Government Division and supported with support of Marico-Bangladesh Limited and the Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka. SWAPNO aims to empower women by enhancing their skills, providing livelihood opportunities, and ensuring access to financial resources. 

Under the SWAPNO project, Sheuli received training in sewing and embroidery, which opened new possibilities for her. She began making small handicrafts and garments at home. However, the income was insufficient to meet her family’s needs.

Recognising Sheuli’s potential, the initiative provided her with advanced training and resources. She was given a sewing machine and other necessary tools to expand the business. With these resources, Sheuli started producing garments to meet the demands of the local market on a small scale. 

As demand for her products grew, Sheuli's business flourished. With the increasing demand, her business started to grow. She rented a small place and hired two local women. 

Within three months, her hard work paid off—she was able to send her children back to school and provide better meals for her family. Soon, she realised she needed more help to meet the rising orders. The positive response boosted her spirits and led her to take a bold step. 

She applied for a small business loan of 120,000 BDT (1000 USD) to further expand her operations. 

With the loan, she purchased additional sewing machines and hired more workers, creating employment in the local community. 

Her factory now produces 200-250 pieces of clothing per month, with a growing client base that includes local shops and markets. Her monthly income from the factory has reached 6,000-7,000 BDT (50-58 USD).

Additionally, Sheuli ventured into a new business by setting up an ice cream factory with her daughter-in-law. They invested around 150,000 BDT (1,249.95) in this enterprise, which operates for seven months each year. The factory produces 8,000 to 10,000 pieces of ice cream daily, generating a profit of 1,200 to 1,500 BDT (10-12.50 USD) each day.  This venture employs six to seven workers and has a network of 10 to 12 vendors who sell ice cream in the surrounding areas.

Sheuli’s success had a significant impact on her community, making her a role model for other women. 

"Through hard work and the support, I received from the project, I was able to turn my challenges into opportunities. Now, I not only support my family but also help others in my community to thrive." -  Sheuli Begum.

The SWAPNO project exemplifies a powerful approach to gender-based poverty alleviation by targeting vulnerable rural women, like Sheuli. Its goal is to lift them out of poverty and help them sustain a higher income level beyond the project’s support. Sheuli’s journey stands as a testament to the project's success.