24 women get sewing machines in Gaibandha

Bashundhara Shuvosangho, with support from Bashundhara Group, handed over free sewing machines to 24 underprivileged women at the Palashbari upazila central auditorium in Gaibandha on Monday.

Earlier, the organisation provided three months of training to the recipients.

The sewing machine and sapling distribution ceremony was presided over by Suruj Haque Liton. The chief guest was novelist and adviser to Bashundhara Group, Imdadul Haq Milan. The women, who successfully completed the three-month free training program, became emotional upon receiving the sewing machines.

Special guests included Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Aminul Islam Bulbul, Upazila Women Affairs Officer Shahnaz Akter, Upazila Social Services Officer Md Jillur Rahman, Upazila Youth Development Officer Md Aminul Islam Rubel, and Upazila Sub-Registrar Mosammat Saymum Mustari.

One of the beneficiaries is Habiba, a well-known female footballer at the upazila level, whose dreams have long been constrained by poverty. A first-year degree student, Habiba comes from a family of four children, where her father works as an agricultural laborer. Despite the obstacles, she has refused to give up. After completing Bashundhara Shuvosangho's training program, she received a sewing machine, which has become a new source of hope.

Lima Akter shares a similar story. A tenth-grade student, Lima is the daughter of an auto-rickshaw driver. With four siblings in the family, they struggle daily with financial hardship. Her father's limited income makes it difficult to meet the family's basic needs. Receiving sewing training and a sewing machine has given Lima renewed hope. She believes the machine will one day enable her to become a pillar of support for her family.