Bejo Bala’s Inspirational Journey Out of Poverty

Bejo Bala, a 76-year-old widow and a survivor of Lymphatic Filariasis from Nilphamari, faced numerous challenges in her life. Married in 1969, she developed Lymphatic Filariasis in 1971, causing persistent pain in her left leg. Despite seeking medical help, she never took the Multidrug Drug Administration (MDA) and continued to experience occasional pain.

In 1973, her husband passed away due to chronic illness, leaving Bejo Bala as the sole provider for her two daughters. She took on day labour to support her family and managed to arrange her daughters’ marriage at an early age. She could not do hard labour any longer as she was getting old. Facing financial difficulties, Bejo Bala started begging and lived on government land.

The NUPIP project identified Bejo Bala during a baseline survey and included her as a project participant. Through NUPIP, she received financial assistance to purchase a cow and repair her house. These resources enabled Bejo Bala to transform her life.

Currently residing with her brother, Bejo Bala, is a Self-Help Group (SHG) member, and receives a widow allowance from the government. She sold one of her cows and used the funds for medical treatment and home maintenance. With a newfound sense of dignity, Bejo Bala no longer begs and lives within the community. The two cows she owns now have an approximate value of BDT 90,000. Reflecting on her journey, she says, “I am fortunate to have built some wealth from nothing.”