Asifa Khatun, is 19 years old and hails from Mahipur Village. She is the elder of two siblings in her family. Asifa's family resides in her grandfather’s house and does not own any farmland. Her father, a sharecropper, cultivates land owned by others, with the rice they harvest lasting only six months of the year. The remaining six months require purchasing food, leaving the family in a constant state of financial strain. This situation made it difficult to manage both Asifa's and her brother's educational expenses, putting their education on the verge of being discontinued.
Faced with these challenges, Asifa’s parents considered arranging her marriage as a solution. However, Asifa was determined to find a way to continue her education and support her younger brother. She confided in her friend Mahmuda Khatun, who introduced her to CMES. Mahmuda explained that CMES offered free training programs in areas such as dressmaking, tailoring, computer skills, and vermicomposting, while also addressing issues like forced marriage, child marriage, and women’s rights.
Initially skeptical, Asifa’s father doubted the legitimacy of the program, but Mahmuda persisted in convincing the family. With her mother’s support, Asifa eventually enrolled in the computer training course offered by CMES. Over the course of three months, she gained proficiency in MS Excel, PowerPoint, and Internet browsing, among other skills.
In addition to technical training, CMES also provided life skills training. These sessions taught Asifa about gender equality, inheritance rights, eviction laws, reproductive health, and the importance of making her own life decisions. These lessons helped her build confidence and provided valuable knowledge for her personal and professional life.
After completing her training, CMES arranged a one-month internship for Asifa at the Chapainawabganj Mahipur MM Computer Centre. Following the internship, she actively sought employment, with the assistance of CMES staff.
In April 2024, Asifa was informed about a job opportunity at the Dutch Bangla Agent Bank in Mahipur Bazar, Chapainawabganj. She successfully passed the written exam and interview. Since January 2024, Asifa has been working at the bank, earning a monthly salary of Rs 3,000. Her responsibilities include opening customer accounts, handling cash deposits, processing withdrawals, and posting transactions online. Despite initial nervousness, Asifa adapted quickly and became confident in her work.
Asifa’s income has provided much-needed financial stability for her family. She can now support her brother’s education and continue her own studies. Her father no longer has to worry as much about their educational expenses, and the family is deeply grateful to CMES for transforming their lives.
