Success story of Fatema Begum


Fatema although looks quite and gentle but yet has un-daunted spirit to stay calm and fight against odds. When Jashimuddin, her husband had lost his fortune in trading animal hides, Fatema did not lose heart and took on the mantle of her family.

Fatema although looks quite and gentle but yet has un-daunted spirit to stay calm and fight against odds. When Jashimuddin, her husband had lost his fortune in trading animal hides, Fatema did not lose heart and took on the mantle of her family. She started vegetable production on land partly their own and partly leased from their neighbor. Her fighting spirit helped her disgruntled husband overcome mental torment caused by the collapse of his business. With the help of Mahmuda, a neighbor Fatema became a member of Pidim affiliated Moyna Mohila Samity. She took a loan of Bdt 20 thousand from Pidim. She spent a portion of the money in taking lease of land and the remainder in production of seasonal vegetables. She grew variety of seasonal vegetables like bean, cucumber, thistle gourd, bitter gourd, spinach etc. and sold them in local market. Her husband and son helped her in the process. She made a net income of Bdt 25 thousand after meeting some of their family expenses in the first year. Besides, her husband supplemented their family income by doing some petty trade. Fatema also spent a portion of her income in taking lease of more farm land from their neighbors.

Fatema took a second loan worth Bdt 30 thousand after repaying the previous loan. She invested a part of the loan in veg. production and also purchased an ox from the remainder. She sold vegetables and the ox after rearing for six months and earned a net income of Bdt 80 thousand from the sale proceeds. She kept on taking repeat loan and expanded her family assets which brought her more income and financial security. Pidim issued her 5th term loan of Bdt 40 thousand. Fatema repaid all her dues on previous loans in time and thus established her eligibility to MFI loan. Being able to properly utilize institutional loan she grew in her confidence and turned herself into an entrepreneur. She now rears cows, goats & fowls and also engaged in banana plantation. Her daily income now ranges from Bdt 700 to Bdt 800. With this income she now can afford all her family expenses including tuition and other fees for children studying in local school. Fatema wants to go far in acquiring family assets and augmenting their income. She looks forward to borrow Bdt 100 thousand in near future for the purpose. People used to mock Fatima and her husband seeing their suffering and predicament. But thing has changed in their favor and they are no longer pitied by their neighbor. Fatema rather has become role model for many living in poverty.    

Name: Fatema Begum (Mem. No. 3413 of Moyna Mohila Shamity/Group –no. 86)

Wife of: Md. Joshimuddin Miah

Village: Morjal

Upazila: Raipura, District: Narsingdi