Akhi weaves her way to independence

"Even a few years ago, I couldn't fill my child's feeder with milk. I would boil water and mix some biscuits with it to stop my child from crying out of hunger."

Afroza Akter Akhi of Bhaina village in Pabna's Sujanagar upazila had never dreamed of the life she has now.

Equipped with multiple certificates and degrees, she could not land a job despite going from door to door.

Akhi, 33, is now the proud owner of a handicraft business in her village, from where her products are going even to Europe.

Her success, however, was not served on a silver platter.

Over the last decade, Akhi had to face one struggle after another – torture, deprivation, discriminations, financial troubles, job crisis, and even suicidal thoughts.

Born in a rural family, Akhi was determined to get a good education and build a successful career. However, after she got married at the age of 23, her academic pursuits came to an abrupt halt. She then faced a failed marriage, which led to intense flak from society.

Akhi, however, did not give up and went on to complete her master's degree. 

After getting remarried and birthing two sons, she left with her family to Qatar for work but then came back empty-handed in 2020 in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Then began a dire financial crisis, through which she and her husband would have to starve at times to be able to provide food for their children.

"That was when I really considered committing suicide. But my husband pushed me. He had confidence in me. Because of him, I was inspired once again to find a way out."

Akhi then took up sewing.

"I always had an interest in household products, mostly those made with jute ropes, but I wasn't trained to make those.

"Since I already had such products [table mats, door mats, etc] at my home, I tried to replicate them on my own. Failing multiple times, I finally succeeded after watching YouTube tutorials."

After rigorous practice, she finally gained the confidence to start selling on a small scale.

"At first, I only sold to those who I know personally. I didn't have any way to expand my business at the time."

Akhi then came across and sought help from an organisation "BD Creation", which manufactures, exports and supplies handicrafts to international markets.

"They initially rejected taking my products, since I didn't have my own factory. Then suddenly [they] gave me an order for 10 sample pieces with unique designs. This was around three years ago when I didn't have the money to even buy the materials to make unique products.

"They then lent me Tk 2,000 to kickstart my business. I began working tirelessly -- as designer, worker, producer and all."

Akhi's husband, Abdul Kuddus, then stepped in and provided assistance of  every sort.

Within a few months, Akhi was able to not only establish a proper handicraft business but also employ a few impoverished women to help them earn a living.

"Just a few years ago, I was able start my business and factory with 10 sewing machines and a few women."

In the meantime, Kuddus managed funds from his ancestral land along with a bank loan.

"I was then able to move my factory to a separate land and acquire 40 sewing machines. With that in hand, I was able to employ 400 women in my village, who are still working with me."

Currently, Akhi's business produces 1,000 to 1,500 handicraft products – schoolbags, handbags, flower pots, showpieces, and many other household items – in just a week.

"While our products are selling at local markets, mostly through fairs across the country, the majority of them are going to Europe, thanks to BD Creation."

Once empty-handed, Akhi is now not only expanding her business but creating employment opportunities for the women around her.

"I once was impoverished myself. To be able to help others who are now in a place I was in myself brings me a lot of joy. The government has also extended support to me in this regard."

Contacted, Anita Sarkar, a widow and resident of Bhaina village, said, "I was living in a dire situation but now I can earn for myself thanks to Akhi.

"My husband died many years ago and my son and I have been depending on others because I couldn't get a job earlier. Akhi changed my life."

Rima Khatun, another widow of the same village, said, "My husband died a decade ago and my daughter is now a fourth grader. I was struggling immensely but now I am able to earn for us. Now, we are able to live with dignity."

Akhi told this correspondent that she dreams of employing as many women as possible within a year.

"When I was struggling, I was rejected everywhere. Nobody came to help me. There are many women who are also living in such crisis, with limited qualifications and no opportunity. I want to be a support system for them."