Runa Akhter (33) is a change agent. Runa has a sorrowful past in her life. She lost her father at six years old and became an orphan after the second marriage of her mother. She grew up with her maternal grandmother. Runa lost her delightful childhood and adolescence through engaging in domestic work (maid servant). Through the process, she learned how to manage the domestic work. She migrated to Dhaka at 17 years old to work as a domestic worker in a family. Fortunately, her employer was a great-hearted woman, and she had the opportunity to learn sewing in addition to her domestic work. She had started tailoring work by initially tailoring the clothes of her neighbors. She saved some money by working for different families as a domestic work assistant and purchasing a sewing machine. Gradually, her order increased, and she left her job as a domestic worker (maid servant).
She rented a room and started full-time tailoring. Suddenly, her journey of growth had fallen into new obstacles as her mother returned to her with a stepsister after the death of her stepfather. It was difficult to accept the new challenge as she was the only earner and there were no male family members. It was the worst situation in her life, as her income decreased since she left her previous job, and at the same time, her responsibilities increased. But she was very dedicated to her work and fought against all the barriers with honesty and hard work.
At that time, no one helped Runa by lending some money. She met with the program officer of the micro-credit program (MCP) of World Concern Bangladesh Trust. She shared her dreams and struggles with the program officer. Then she got a primary loan of BDT30,000 from MCP-WCBT for her tailoring business and purchased some clothes. Her income had increased by BDT 10,000 per month. She became confident. She paid her installment regularly. After refunding her first loan without any default, she got a further loan of BDT 50,000. She purchased an overlock machine and decorated her shop through the loan. Her income also increased over there. She appointed another one in her business. The sorrows of other women significantly touched her heart, as she had fought against lots of challenges like poverty, negligence, and disgraceful times. So, Runa taught tailoring to two more neglected girls and created their income-earning opportunities by appointing them to her shop. Now the monthly income increased by BDT 25,000/-. Once her mother left her and got married to another male, she took care of her mother with true love and care. Runa also takes responsibility for her stepsister. Runa expressed her experiences with WCBT: ‘I had a dream to become a self-established woman once, but many difficult circumstances were countered to blossoming my dreams. I am grateful to the MCP of WCBT who helped me to challenge those obstacles and reach me in my desired destination’.