Grameen Dialogue -- a regular publication from Grameen Trust

Zaria Begum, 39, lives in Firingee Bazar of Chittagong. She lived with her husband, a son and a daughter. Together, they had a happy, peaceful life, until tragedy struck. When her daughter was only six months old, Zaria's husband passed away. From then on, Zaria's struggle for survival began. When her son became older and started earning, she was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.However, her happiness did not last long.

Zaria Begum Selling pitha

Her son decided to separate himself from the family after his marriage, leaving his mother and sister almost destitute. But nothing could dampen Zaria's fighting spirit. She began her savings with CWFD in 1997. She then took loans to start her own business from home. Zaria was skilled in making traditional food such as achar (pickles) and pitha (traditional desserts). She sold these, along with handmade matchboxes, in the market. She can now support her daughter using her savings and revenues. Although Zaria is carrying out her activities with the support of CWFD loans, CWFD hopes that soon she will be able to become a fully self-sufficient entrepreneur.

A Relentless Life of Struggle