Salma’s Commit to Community story

Salma lives in Bangladesh on the outskirts of a city centre. She and her husband (Mohammed) used to rent out a room and the only item they owned was the bed they slept in.

After joining a women’s savings group, run by Baptist World Aid Australia’s partner MFDP* in 2001, Salma has been able to bring about significant improvements in her family’s situation. The first thing that Salma learnt through the savings group was how to keep the group’s accounts through a functional education course. She has also been able to attend training on sewing techniques, poultry raising and essential health care for her family.

As each of the group members put aside a small amount of money each week, the group’s savings began to build up. Salma applied to take out a loan for 1 500 Taka (A$10). With this money she was able to increase the number of chickens she was raising. She was also able to give the eggs to their children to provide them with a more nutritious diet.
After paying back the loan she was able to take another to purchase a sewing machine and use her new tailoring skills to begin earning extra money. After taking a third loan, Salma and Mohammed bought a milking cow and established a successful business selling milk at the market. 

After the profits from the milking business began to build up, they decided to sell the cow and then were able to buy land on the outskirts of town and build a home for their family.

Although it has taken many years, Salma and her family are now much better off than they were in 2001. One of their sons is working as a tailor and the other is sitting his end of school exams. Salma says that it is not just the material changes she has appreciated from being part of a savings group. She now feel s confident she can contribute to her family, has the skills to keep them healthy and she feels that people respect her more, as someone who contributes positively to her community.

*Mymensingh Family Development Project