Rina Malakar (35), a widow in Joykha village of Sonailtala union in Mongla, once struggled to make ends meet. But a goat has eased her hardship. Majeda Begum of the same village also received a goat and is now covering family needs and her children's school costs. In all, 120 families are overcoming poverty by rearing goats and sheep, and many have also changed their fortunes by growing vegetables. A non-government development organisation has stood beside them.

In Joykha village, some are rearing goats, some sheep, and some are growing winter vegetables on saline land. This has created work, and with good yields they are also getting fair prices.

Shirina Begum said: "In our family of four, my husband is ill and stays at home. Friendship gave us a goat free of charge. That goat had three more kids. Selling goat's milk and two goats has eased our hardship somewhat."

Prashanta Mondal said: "Friendship gave us one sheep. It has had 15 lambs. My daughter finished her studies and I have got her married."

Tandra Mondal said: "Our village embankment broke in an unusually high tide, destroying an acre of farmland. Later Friendship gave us winter vegetable seeds free of charge. I planted them and got a good yield. Now we don't have to depend on my husband's income alone."

Liton Mondal said: "Not just vegetable seeds, we also got training in modern vegetable growing and vermicompost making. After that I grew vegetables at home and sold Tk 24,000 worth. It has covered household costs and I have saved some money too."

Sonailtala UP chairman Narjina Begum said: "The Friendship Transitional Fund has been working to establish a full standard of living with dignity in disadvantaged coastal communities through household economic development. With their help, poor people in the area have been able to raise family incomes by rearing goats and sheep and growing vegetables."

Jewel Hasan, project manager of the Friendship Transitional Fund, said: "With support from Friendship Luxembourg, we are working on economic development, good governance and local infrastructure by stabilising the incomes of poor families. Goats, sheep and vegetable seeds have been distributed free of charge to 120 poor families in Joykha village."

Md Yunus Ali, deputy assistant livestock officer of Mongla upazila, said: "The animals and winter vegetables Friendship is giving free to poor families are highly commendable work. They are not only giving these but also training people. As a result, families have a chance to earn more in less time. People in this area are becoming self-reliant."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.