Training programme on tailoring makes a school dropout self-reliant

MAGURA, Dec 05: School dropout Shikha is now enjoying a new life.

Shikha is the daughter of Hanif Sheikh of village Barunatal under Magura sadar upazila. Hanif Sheikh is the owner of a petty tea stall.

But he was burdened with a family of seven members. When Shikha was reading in class 4 nine years back her father stopped her school going. Poverty stricken Hanif was fighting for survival along with his family members. He could not afford to bear her educational expenses.

From then Shikha was passing idle and boring time in house. Early days of current year (2017) she was blessed with a training programme on tailoring.

The training was arranged by Brac Skill Development Programme.

After completing the training for six months she was provided in a tailoring shop in Magura town. Now Shikha is earning Tk 7,000 to Tk 8,000 per month. Her two other sisters are now going to school with her financial support. Moreover, her financial support has brought solvency to her family.

When contacted, Shikha told, "After leaving school I was passing my days in anxiety. Due to extreme poverty sometimes my parents also thought me as a burden. But training from Brac has changed my life. My worst days are over.”

“Now I am enjoying a new life. I am also proud as being inspired with my establishment. Some other girls of my village are receiving training from brac”, she added.

Md Murad Hossain, programme organiser of Brac skill development programme said, "We are providing school dropouts, disabled and the destitute with training facility on different trade .We do not provide only training ,we provide them with working materials and loan facility. Moreover, we give them Tk 800 per month as allowance during training period to encourage the trainees."

Rokeya Begum, Magura Brac district representative said, "We have achieved outstanding success in skill development training as cent percent of the trained in the district are provided with employment. Considering unexpected response we are thinking to extend our training facility."

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