Micro credit to Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s Centre for Development Services (CDS) was established in 1983 to provide start-up support, technical assistance and guidance to the poor so that they can start their own businesses. CDS’ model supports sustainable, self-initiated economic development, particularly for women.

Runa Das described her former existence as “miserable:” living in a slum of Chittagong City, she struggled to make ends meet for her husband and two children. Like many residents of the slums, her husband moved the family to Chittagong with a dream of factory work. However, the urban realities are harsh and there is little work to be found. Women in particular are affected, as often they have little education and scant business skills to help earn family income.

Centre for Development Services (CDS) has been working in the Chittagong region for over eight years. In 1999, CDS launched the Women Entrepreneurship Development program as part of their Economic Justice Initiative. The program not only gives women the initial funding to start a business, but provides education on running a business, and savings and credit, so the women can sustain their enterprises. Goals also include increasing self-reliance and mutual knowledge sharing through women’s groups, and giving women an awareness of their human rights. Lastly, to make the women’s entry in the workforce feasible, CDS provides preschool for participants’ young children.

Last year Runa received a microcredit loan of 25,000 Taka (about $215) and purchased two sewing machines, thread dyes and fabric paints to start up her textile business. At her weekly women’s group meetings, she and the others discuss progress and constraints of their nascent enterprises. They share their experience in marketing strategies and product feasibility. They also find the groups a forum in which they can freely discuss women’s rights in the society and in the family. Many note that their income generation made them more willing to assume a role in making the decisions that affect their families. Now Runa has plans to expand her business and open a showroom at the local Kazir Dewri market.

CDS would like to expand the program to include 25 more women in Chittagong. Please support these women entrepreneurs in pulling themselves and their families out of poverty by visiting and supporting the Women Entrepreneurship Development program at http://www.globalgiving.com/pr/600/proj580a.html.

Pictures:

• Runa Das Sewing (JPG)