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Rabeya graduates to a life out of extreme poverty

8 March 2006

Rabeya with her cows and goat

Before the Challenging the Frontiers of Poverty Reduction (CFPR) programme, a multi-donor funded initiative by the non-governmental organisation (NGO) BRAC, Rabeya lived in a shack in a Government graveyard on the edge of Hajirgol village, Kishoreganj district, Bangladesh. She had a hand-to-mouth existence - dependent on selling a wild medicinal plant, similar to water cress, that she gathered from the fields. Her livelihood was very insecure, and often she had only one meal a day.

As a result of being selected for the Specially Targeted Ultra Poor component of CFPR she received intensive one-to-one attention from a BRAC field worker, who helped her decide to choose cow rearing as her income generation activity. Although Rabeya is elderly and has some level of disability affecting her hands and joints - she is able to care for cows, with the help of her daughters.

Since 'graduating' from the programme her two cows have had two calves, and one is now pregnant again. She sells spare milk, currently about 1.5 kilogrammes (kgs) a day, which brings in 30 taka a day. She also sells cow dung - she is shortly to sell a heap for 1000 taka. She has also bought a goat and a number of chickens. This is part of BRAC's advice - to diversify your asset base.

Other women from her village have diversified too - for example, one woman who started with cow rearing has used her income to lease land to start vegetable growing. Another has used her income from vegetable growing to get a 4,000 taka loan to buy a rickshaw for her husband. Following CFPR's requirements she has a formal agreement that provides her with a daily income of 25 taka from her husband. This covers her loan repayments (100 taka a week) and provides an additional income of approximately 50 taka a week.

Rabeya's house has been improved as a result of CFPR - she got help from the village's poverty alleviation committee - Gram Daridro Bimochon - which provided her with bamboos and roofing materials. These committees are established by BRAC, but are not funded, so members of the community provided all the materials and labour.

Rabeya is now saving money to buy her own piece of land so she will have more security, and not have to live in the graveyard. Rabeya's income could increase if she takes advantage of the artificial insemination services now offered by BRAC in her area - which provide improved breeds with the potential to produce 6-8 kgs a day per cow (instead of around 1-2 kgs).

Note: Currency UKŁ1.00 = Taka 115.00.

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