Family Futures - pathways out of extreme poverty

Introduction:

Poverty is an enduring challenge that compels families to send their children to work just to survive. At UKBET, we understand that ending this cycle of poverty requires a comprehensive approach that not only supports families financially but also empowers them to create sustainable livelihoods. Our innovative program identifies suitable enterprises, provides micro-grants, and offers ongoing support to ensure their success. By doing so, we enable families to meet their essential needs, escape poverty, and secure the education of their children.

Program overview:

Our program focuses on helping families identify suitable enterprises that align with their skills and experiences, ensuring a reliable and sustainable income. We work closely with each family, guiding them to choose the best business venture for their future.

Micro-grant allocation:

To ensure impact, we provide micro-grants specifically for purchasing the necessary resources to start their business. Our field workers offer guidance, build confidence, and help families thrive.

Lifeline for families:

Micro-grants provide a lifeline for impoverished families, allowing them to raise their income to afford basic necessities and send their children to school, rather than work.

Social and welfare support:

Beyond financial assistance, we provide ongoing business support, training, and welfare assistance, addressing various challenges they may face.

Impact and achievements:

Our program has transformed the lives of 322 families, lifting them out of poverty and ensuring their children receive an education.

Case study:

Only eight years old Parul (not her real name) is forced to work as a domestic child labourer in Sylhet city due to their family's extreme poverty. Two years ago, the family had migrated from their village, and as a result, Parul (not her real name)  had to give up on her schooling. Her mother works at people's homes, while her father works as a rickshaw puller, but a significant portion of his hard-earned income goes to the rickshaw owner. However, with the valuable support from UKBET, he has managed to purchase his own rickshaw. The additional income has brought hope, and soon, Parul (not her real name) will have the opportunity to return to school.

Future goals:

We aim to support 120 more families this year, and help them to create sustainable businesses that break the cycle of poverty.

Conclusion:

Your continued support is essential in empowering families to break free from poverty. Join us in making dreams a reality for families in need. Share our project with friends and family to create an unstoppable force of change. Together, we can write a powerful story of transformation.

Family Futures - pathways out of extreme poverty - GlobalGiving

Family poverty drives families into sending their children to work. We identify a suitable enterprise, contribute a micro grant to get it off the ground and embed business support to ensure success. This is underpinned with social and welfare support to safeguard the education of their children.

We support families to identify an enterprise that suits their skills and experience, and that will produce a reliable and sustainable income. A micro grant purchases what is needed to start their small business. Money is not given directly to the household, instead we purchase the goods that are needed and our field workers ensure they are used as intended, helping them make appropriate decisions and building their confidence and skills to ensure success. These small businesses give families an essential lifeline to pay rent, buy food and meet every day essential needs. Crucially, it means they can afford to send their children to school instead of to work or into early marriage.

The support period gives each family time to successfully establish their business and develop a long-term sustainable income. They are able to rise out of poverty and provide for their family without relying on their children's labour.

Here is brief report on what we did in 2022 :

110 families were supported with Microgrant for starting or expanding small businesses.

Type of Family Grants :

-Clothing & Sewing - 32

-Rickshaw/Van 27

-Livestock & Agriculture 25

-Micro Business 15

- Food Shop 11

Story pf Nondita's( Not real name) family,

Nondita's( Not real name) family, like hundreds of other households, was forced into extreme poverty as a result of the devastating flooding that struck north-eastern Bangladesh last year. She began working as a domestic servant at three different households at the age of 14 in order to help her struggling family financially, and as a result, her physical condition deteriorated over time. Ms Jeasmin ( Not real name), our community teacher, took Nondita( Not real name) under UKBET's doorstep learning program in 2022. After considering her family's post-flood financial situation, UKBET granted her father a Microgrant to start a tea stall. Her family's financial situation has improved as a result of the tea stall business. Nondita's( Not real name) two younger brothers were also admitted to Madrasha. We hope that Nadia will return to school soon as well.