Family Futures - pathways out of extreme poverty

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.