Threads of Change: From Struggle to Stability

Born and raised in Ukhia, Senoara dreamed of a life where she could continue her education, and support her family. But the circumstance forced her to work in a garment factory in Chittagong at a very early stage of her life. Long hours of work with low wages made her life more difficult. Within a year, she got married and hoped for a stable future, but soon she realized that her husband had no steady source of income, leaving her to shoulder the financial burden alone. In the following years, with three children to take care of and the financial burden piling up, she knew she had to take control of her life.

With nowhere else to return, Senoara moved back to Ukhia, to her mother’s place, and there she learned about the Ayesha Abed Foundation. With her experience of work in the garment industry, she joined the tailoring section of Ayesha Abed Foundation. Now, for six years, she has been working at AAF, Ukhia, where her skills were valued and her work had meaning. Each stitch she sewed led her to betterment, and this is how she broke the cycle of hardship. She no longer has to worry about bringing food to the table and affording the daily needs of her children. Especially, she is now able to send her daughters to school, something she was deprived of in her childhood. She said with tears of joy in her eyes, “I could not study when I was young. I could have been in a better place if I could. Hence, I don’t want my daughters to face the same struggle I did.”

Though her husband visits occasionally, he does not contribute financially. And Senoara no longer waits for her support. Through the support of AAF, not only does she ensure the financial stability, but she also gained confidence to take charge of her family. 

With the rhythmic hum of the sewing machine, Senoara brought back the rhythm of her life and this is how women like Senoara are breaking the generational cycle of poverty. Her story is a reminder for our community that with the right opportunities, women just don’t lift themselves up, they uplift the quality of life of their families and future generations.