In the quiet village of Jumma Para in Ukhiya, 36-year-old Rajiya Begum’s life once echoed with hardship and heartbreak. After being divorced by her husband, she was left to care for her large family alone. Ill and impoverished, she dreamt of a better future and took the difficult decision to migrate to Saudi Arabia in hopes of supporting her loved ones.
But instead of opportunity, she was met with betrayal. A broker had promised her a decent job caring for one person with a salary of 2,000 Saudi Riyals. In reality, she was forced to serve 8–9 people, earning only 800–900 Riyals. When she resisted the abuse, she was physically assaulted and denied medical care. Her health deteriorated, and when she could no longer work, she was abandoned. In 2023, she returned to Bangladesh sick, exhausted, and deeply broken.
Back home, life did not improve. Her health continued to decline, and the burden of caring for her family alone grew heavier. That’s when the Ashshash project stepped in. Identified as a survivor of exploitation, Rajiya was enrolled in the program. She received psychosocial counseling, which helped her regain confidence and hope. Later, career counseling revealed her interest in running a small business.
To prepare her for self-employment, she received life skills and entrepreneurship development training. With her new knowledge, Rajiya began a grocery business. Though she lacked startup capital, the Ashshash project committed to supporting her with materials based on a need assessment.
Today, Rajiya’s business is thriving. She not only manages her shop but also follows a smart financial system:
“I treat myself like an employee in my own business,” she says. “I pay myself a fixed salary, manage my household with that, and now clearly see my business’s profit and loss.”
Now recognized as a leader survivor, Rajiya is an inspiration in her community. Her transformation is proof that with the right support and training, it is possible to turn trauma into triumph.
Rajiya’s story is not just one of survival it’s one of strength, resilience, and rebirth. Through the Ashshash project, she has reclaimed her dignity and become a beacon of hope for others facing similar struggles.
