When Rajia Sultana lost her home to the relentless force of river erosion in Bangladesh, she didn’t just lose a house—she lost stability, security, and the life she once knew.
Forced to migrate to a new village alongside countless others displaced by the same disaster, Rajia and her family faced an uphill battle for survival. Her husband’s tailoring work brought in only a meager income, barely enough to get by.
Determined to help her family, Rajia turned to the land, using their small plot to grow vegetables. But her initial enthusiasm was quickly dampened. The costs were high, and her lack of experience left her overwhelmed.
That’s when a new opportunity came knocking.
World Renew’s local partner, PARI, had launched the Dewangonj Agriculture Development Program (DADP) in the area to boost food security for families just like Rajia’s. One day, a PARI staff member passed by her struggling garden and saw potential. They invited her to join a female farmers group—a moment that would change Rajia’s path.
Eager for guidance, Rajia began attending group meetings and agricultural training sessions. With each lesson, her confidence grew. The spark she’d once had for gardening came reignited once again. She learned about cost-effective, sustainable practices like making her own compost, and soon, her garden began to flourish.
Rajia’s yields improved, and with them, her family’s well-being. What was once barely enough to feed her children became a source of income. Her vegetables now fill her kitchen and local markets alike.
Her dedication didn’t go unnoticed. Recently, her peers elected her as a member of the agriculture forum, a platform that allows her to lead, share knowledge, and deepen her ties with the community.
Today, Rajia attends every meeting without fail. She continues to cultivate not only her crops, but her skills, her resilience, and her role as a community leader.
“Being a woman, I faced many challenges in vegetable gardening,” said Rajia. “However, [World Renew and] PARI helped me to overcome all those challenges and to stay focused on achieving my goal. I am thankful to PARI for connecting me with a female agriculture group and for continuing to support me in pursuing my passion for agriculture.”
Together, stories like Rajia’s show that with the right support, new beginnings can take root even in the most difficult circumstances. Thank you for being part of a community that helps nurture resilience, restore dignity, and grow lasting change.
