From Neglected Girl to Independent Woman - Fatema

My name is Fatema, a young woman (24y) from Paturia village in Sawrail, Kalukhali, Rajbari, Bangladesh. From a young age, I dreamt of becoming independent, of standing on my own feet and creating an identity of my own. I growing up in a small underprivileged village, for me such aspirations often seemed distant and hard to reach. Opportunities for women like me were rare, and resources were limited. But the desire to become self-sufficient was always strong in my heart, and I believed that one day, I could make this dream a reality.

The turning point in my life came when I learned about an Electrical Training program under the Rahmatunnesa Skill Training Institute (RSTI) in our area, supported by the Rahmatunnesa Shikkha Unnayan Foundation (RSUF). This was a program designed for people like me – people with dreams, with the willingness to work hard but lacking the skills and connections to make it happen. I decided to take a chance and enrolled in the first batch of RSTI.

The training was a completely new experience for me. For the first time, I was learning skills that could open various possibilities for me. The program covered practical skills, hands on training in electrical work, some business basics & logic thinking. As I progressed through the course, my confidence grew, and for the first time, I felt I had the tools to change my life. By the end of the training, I was ready to apply my skills in the real world, and RSUF sent me to industrial training at Minister Hi-Tech Park LTD.

It was a big milestone for me. Working at the Minister, I got hands-on experience, learn how to make electronics products like sound system, television, etc.

After that I got offer from RSUF to work as an Industrial machine operator at PRAN RFL LTD. in Narshinghi-Bangladesh. I enjoyed the independence my job gave me – the feeling of earning my own money, contributing to my family, and seeing my hard work pay off. However, after around 8-9 months, due to personal reasons, I had to leave the job. It was a tough moment for me; I felt like I was back to where I had started. But I reminded myself of everything I had learned, and I kept my goal alive.

Soon after, I got married, I thought this is the end of my dream. I was hopeless about my carrier. But RSUF give me a different idea to make my own business at my nearby market place. RSUF organize a small meeting with my husband & family to conveyance them to make me an entrepreneur. We talked a lot about what I could do with my skills, and eventually, I decided to take a brave step – to start my own business.

Now I regain my dream.

Again with the support of RSUF and my own savings, I opened a small electrical goods store and service center in Mrigi Bazaar, near my village in Paturia. This area needed reliable access to electrical supplies and repair services, and I saw it as an opportunity. Setting up the shop was hard work I had to invest in products, organize the space, and make sure we were prepared to serve our customers well. RSUF help me to manage all of this.

Before my husband had a part time job & he had very little resources to manage our family. Now my husband resigned to helped me to manage everything. Together, we put our full effort into making the business work.

Running my own shop was challenging at first. There were days when business was slow, when I worried about our finances, and when I wondered if I had made the right choice. But every time a customer thanked me for the service, or when they returned to buy something again, it reminded me that I was on the right path. Over time, people in our community started to recognize my shop as a place they could trust for electrical goods and repairs. My skills and dedication were finally paying off.

Today, my shop in Mrigi Bazaar is not just a business; it’s a symbol of my independence. Now I am no longer just someone’s daughter, someone’s wife, I am Fatema, a business owner. I am grateful for the support of RSUF, which gave me the skills and encouragement to believe in myself. My journey has inspired other women in our village as well, showing them that with the right skills and determination, they too can create their own path.

I am proud to say that I am now self-sufficient, standing on my own feet, and fulfilling the dreams I once thought were impossible. This journey has taught me that no matter where we come from or how many obstacles we face, with courage and commitment, we can transform our lives.