From needle to the new beginning

Nearly four decades ago, in a remote village of Jamalpur, Parul Yesmin stepped into the Shatkura sub-center with nothing but determination and a quiet dream of a better life. Raised in a family entrenched in hardship, she witnessed struggle early on. She learned every stitch with care and began to craft a future far removed from the one she had known.

Parul’s intricate stitch work and her deep-rooted dedication set her apart over a timespan. Recognizing her commitment and natural leadership skills, Ayesha Abed Foundation entrusted her with the responsibility of the sub-centre in charge of the Shatkura Sub-centre. Remembering her past journey, Parul’s ambition grew beyond personal success; she envisioned a future where women in her village could be independent, contribute to their family, and no child had to give up education because of grappling poverty. 

While working in a sub-center, she observed families struggling to afford primary education, school supplies, and tuition for their children. She began teaching other women different types of stitchwork and techniques with patience and encouraged them to join the sub-center, which could translate into income, independence, and dignity. Slowly, more women gathered under her guidance, discovering not just a livelihood but also a purpose.

From a thatched hut to a secure roof over her head, with two sons and a husband, she changed the narrative of her life with sheer perseverance. Her story not just sets an example of a woman’s rise but also of the ripple effect of empowerment that continues to change the scenario of the community she grew up in.