A man who came from Barguna district with his wife and children in Dhaka to get out of poverty. His life was a daily grind of odd jobs, meager wages, and the constant struggle to put food on the table for his family. His dreams of a better life seemed distant, and the burden of poverty weighed heavily on his shoulders. Despite his hardships, Rajesh never gave up on the hope that one-day things would change. He got a full house at Savar to take care of and staying free of cost but what about their daily meal? Who will fulfill their other basic needs besides accommodation? We are talking about Md. Selim Mia who is the 2nd beneficiary of OBHIZATRIK’s project Shakti.
After coming to Dhaka, Md. Selim Mia worked as a daily laborer for some time. He used to come to Mirpur 1 from Savar to either search for work or work as a contractual laborer. Later he was a driver of an autorickshaw in rent. Paying daily rent and then basic meals he used to have a very minimal amount for children’s study. Gradually he managed to pay for that too. However, it was difficult to manage everything in one hand. His wife decided to work as a garment worker but after having complications with pregnancy, she decided to leave the garment and managed some scope to practice tailoring at home. She continued as a tailor with few works. They also have 18 chickens and 4 goats. He and his wife have four children. Elder son Arif Mia is a garment worker. The rest of them are studying nearby.
Through project Shakti, recognizing Md. Selim Mia’s spirit and potential, the OBHIZATRIK decided to support him by providing him with an autorickshaw. This simple yet impactful gesture was designed to empower Rajesh to earn a sustainable income and break free from the shackles of poverty. With the keys to his new autorickshaw in hand, Md. Selim Mia embarked on a new chapter of his life. The rickshaw became not just a mode of transportation, but a symbol of hope and a source of livelihood. He tirelessly drove through the crowded streets of Bagni Bari, Savar, offering rides to locals since the handover. After receiving the Autorickshaw he busted into joy and said, “Now I don’t need to pay rent to my Mahajan. Sometimes I used to work hard without eating meals to meet my ends. I have worn only two lungi for the last 10 years. Never imagined buying anything for myself. I am very happy today that through OBHIZATRIK, I got the opportunity to have my own auto rickshaw.”
Through Shakti, the beneficiaries of these autorickshaws are carefully selected based on their socio-economic circumstances, with a focus on those who face financial hardships and unemployment. These individuals, once struggling to make ends meet, now have the opportunity to earn a living and provide for their families.
