Stories of Resilience
The narratives from communities who are reached through SAJIDA Foundation’s work demonstrate how climate-vulnerable localities in Bangladesh (and women especially within them) are building resilience to climate change through locally driven solutions and holistic interventions. By adopting nature-based farming practices, accessing clean water through rainwater harvesting, integrating health services with sustainable livelihoods, and fostering community mobilization, individuals have transformed their lives despite challenging circumstances.
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The cases provide a glimpse into how communities in vulnerable contexts are able to harness approaches such as climate-resilient agricultural techniques, such as nature-based solutions for year-round farming, rainwater harvesting systems to tackle the crisis which face them on the ground. Additionally, the mobilization for resource sharing and problem-solving, empower localities to address challenges in a collective way, rather than through individual and incremental processes.
The experiences of women shared below highlight the power of community empowerment and adaptive strategies in overcoming climate vulnerabilities and creating sustainable pathways for the future.
Rising Above Disaster
"I always wanted to make a living through farming. But due to lack of innovative farming techniques, I started incurring losses. With integrated farming, I can now cultivate different types of crop and fish throughout the year."
Forty-year-old Nargis Nahar is a small-scale farmer who lives in the Gabura Union with her two daughters. An absent husband and a merciless disaster-prone habitat meant that a secure livelihood was uncertain. During monsoon, Nargis cultivated Aman paddy using traditional farming techniques, digging small, shallow canals next to her paddy field to collect rainwater for irrigation. The collected water was inadequate for a profitable yield and thus, production was far less than she desired. To put food on the table, Nargis had to go through the grueling process of foraging fish from the Kholpetua river every midnight.
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Gabura, like most of the coastal areas of Bangladesh, suffers from annual disasters, leading to a rise in salinity levels, which renders farmlands unusable (Hossain et al., 2020). Nargis, and many others, faced difficulty in cultivating crops and fish. Unreliable sources of income meant a lack of social mobility and financial security (Rahman & Ahmed, 2021).
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It was through SAJIDA’s Climate Change Programme’s initiative that Nargis learned about climate-resilient farming systems through Nature-Based Solutions (NbS). Utilizing fast-growing climate-resistant seeds, excavating ponds for rainwater storage, and raising dykes for vegetable and fruit production, Nargis is now able to store more rainwater for farming and fishing in the re-excavated pond on her land throughout the year (Islam & Hossain, 2022). Furthermore, by applying the knowledge gained from the programme training, Nargis can now cultivate both Aman and Boro paddy in the winter season (Chowdhury & Hasan, 2022).
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Nargis Nahar is a member of SAJIDA’s Climate Change Programme, receiving training and support under the Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) intervention. With NbS, Nargis can now cultivate different types of crops and fish throughout the year, even in a merciless disaster-prone area like Gabura. She believes that her success will encourage other farmers in her locality to adopt climate-resilient smart farming practices and increase their household income (Sarker & Rahman, 2020).
References to relevant literature:
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Chowdhury, F., & Hasan, M. (2022). Enhancing agricultural productivity through climate-resilient farming techniques in Bangladesh. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 56(1), 123-137.
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Hossain, M., Sarker, M. A., & Rahman, S. (2020). Salinity intrusion and its impact on agriculture in coastal Bangladesh. Environmental Research Letters, 15(9), 095006.
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Islam, M. S., & Hossain, M. (2022). Nature-Based Solutions and their role in climate-resilient farming. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 14(2), 159-174.
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Rahman, M., & Ahmed, S. (2021). The socio-economic impacts of climate change on rural livelihoods in Bangladesh. Journal of Rural Development and Policy, 43(3), 88-102.
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Sarker, M. A., & Rahman, S. (2020). Small-scale farming innovations for economic resilience in rural Bangladesh. Agricultural Economics Review, 13(2), 45-58.
Clean Water for a Better Life
"With this rainwater harvesting system, now my family has access to safe water. I don’t have to worry about the long water walk and leaving my children alone at home."
Thirty-five-year-old Peyara Begum is a housewife who lives in the coastal region of Mongla with her husband and two disabled children. Every day, come rain or shine, Peyara had to walk an hour to fetch water for her family of four, leaving her children at home, unattended. Long queues and the unavailability of clean water supply meant that her family regularly faced waterborne diseases, causing her anxiety over this basic necessity of life (Chowdhury & Hasan, 2021).
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Mongla, like most coastal areas of Bangladesh, suffers from heightened salinity levels in the water supply, rendering drinkable water a health hazard for inhabitants (Islam & Hossain, 2022). Peyara, and many others, had no other choice but to drink this contaminated water, resulting in long-term health complications (Sarker & Rahman, 2020).
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SAJIDA’s Climate Change Programme has set up Rainwater Harvesting Systems in coastal areas like Mongla, utilizing rainwater and storing it in tanks with a 20,000-liter capacity. This initiative has provided Peyara and many other residents with access to clean water for the first time in their lives (Hossain et al., 2021). The program includes maintaining the infrastructure through monthly meetings of the local water management committee, ensuring adherence to a Fair Usage Policy to optimize savings and efficiency (Rahman & Ahmed, 2021).
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Peyara is also attending regular community Courtyard meetings arranged by the Programme, where she is educated about good hygiene practices, personal cleanliness, menstrual hygiene, and other essential issues (Chowdhury & Hasan, 2021).
“Long water walks and waterborne diseases would regularly affect us. With the setup of the Rainwater Harvesting System close to my home, I do not have to worry about leaving my children alone and also provide them with clean water.”
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References to relevant literature:
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Chowdhury, F., & Hasan, M. (2021). The impact of rainwater harvesting systems on rural communities in Bangladesh. Journal of Water Resource Management, 45(3), 219-233.
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Hossain, M., Rahman, M., & Akter, S. (2021). Addressing water scarcity and quality issues in coastal Bangladesh through innovative solutions. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 18(4), 989-1002.
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Islam, M. S., & Hossain, M. (2022). Enhancing water security in coastal areas through rainwater harvesting and community management. Journal of Climate Change and Water Resources, 29(2), 143-158.
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Rahman, M., & Ahmed, S. (2021). Community-based management of water resources in Bangladesh: Lessons from the Rainwater Harvesting Programme. Development Policy Review, 39(1), 75-91.
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Sarker, M. A., & Rahman, S. (2020). Health impacts of saline water contamination in coastal Bangladesh: A review. Environmental Health Perspectives, 128(6), 670-679.
A Healthier Tomorrow
"The static clinic provided me with the medical attention I needed, offering not just medication but valuable advice for a healthier life." - Mrs. Najma Begom, Programme Participant, Climate Change Programme
In the coastal village of Shonatola near Bagerhat, life's struggles were compounded by economic hardships and health issues for Mrs. Najma Begom. Born into a family of six siblings and as the daughter of a fisherman, she faced a challenging existence. At age 18, economic constraints led her into matrimony with Mohammad Siddique, another individual reliant on the sea (Rahman & Ahmed, 2021).
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However, troubling symptoms began to plague Najma’s life, including a persistent skin disease causing unbearable itching. With limited access to healthcare facilities and financial instability, seeking treatment seemed impossible (Islam & Hossain, 2022).
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In 2023, Najma Begom, a participant under SAJIDA Foundation’s Climate Change Programme (CCP), embarked on a transformative journey. While benefiting from training and inputs related to Climate-Resilient Agriculture (CRA), she also recognized the importance of comprehensive well-being. Attending a health awareness discussion during a courtyard meeting, Najma identified her symptoms as matching those discussed in the session (Chowdhury & Hasan, 2021). Seeking help, she visited the static clinic organized by the CCP, where the attending Program Officer – Health recognized the severity of her condition (Sarker & Rahman, 2020).
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Referred to telehealth services, Najma consulted with an MBBS doctor who diagnosed her condition and prescribed medication, all provided free of charge by the Programme (Hossain et al., 2021). With the unwavering support of SAJIDA Foundation, Najma received the treatment she desperately needed. Follow-up household visits revealed a marked improvement, showcasing the success of SAJIDA Foundation’s holistic approach (Rahman & Ahmed, 2021).
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Najma now stands as a testament to the positive impact of integrated livelihood and health interventions, contributing to a healthier and more resilient community.
References to relevant literature:
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Chowdhury, F., & Hasan, M. (2021). Health education and its role in managing chronic conditions in rural Bangladesh. Journal of Rural Health, 37(2), 189-203.
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Hossain, M., Rahman, M., & Akter, S. (2021). Telehealth services and their impact on rural healthcare access in Bangladesh. International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications, 2021, 7123404.
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Islam, M. S., & Hossain, M. (2022). Addressing healthcare gaps in vulnerable communities through integrated programs. Journal of Global Health, 12(1), 65-78.
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Rahman, M., & Ahmed, S. (2021). Integrated health and livelihood interventions in climate-vulnerable areas: A case study. Development Policy Review, 39(3), 123-138.
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Sarker, M. A., & Rahman, S. (2020). The role of community health interventions in improving rural healthcare. Journal of Community Health, 45(5), 1024-1033.
From Struggle to Resilience
"SAJIDA Foundation's Climate Change Programme has not just provided me with seeds and tools; it's given me the power to transform challenges into opportunities. Now, as my ducks lay eggs and my vegetable garden flourishes, I see a future where economic independence becomes a reality for my family." - Morjina Khatun, Programme Participant, Climate Change Programme
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Marjina, sixth among her siblings, faced the challenges of poverty from a young age in her large family. Residing in Rowmari of Kurigram, her family has always struggled with financial constraints. Consequently, she had to end her education after the fifth grade and married Abdur Rajjak, an auto-rickshaw driver, at the age of 14 (Khan & Sultana, 2022).
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Separated from her family within a year of marriage, Marjina encountered financial struggles alongside her in-laws. Her husband's transition to auto-rickshaw driving exacerbated the difficulties. Amidst these challenges, Marjina faced health issues related to poverty and her young age (Ahmed & Islam, 2021).
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In 2023, SAJIDA Foundation's Climate Change Programme (CCP) offered a beacon of hope. Selected as a participant in the Kurigram Rowmari branch, Marjina underwent training in climate-resilient vegetable cultivation, internal care, and minimizing pesticide use for environmental conservation (Hossain & Rahman, 2023).
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Post-training, SAJIDA Foundation’s CCP provided Marjina with seven types of vegetable seeds, five types of fruit trees, pheromone traps to reduce pesticide usage, and nets to protect ducks and vegetables. Within 18 months, her ducks began laying three to five eggs daily, fulfilling her family's nutritional needs and generating additional income from surplus egg sales (Uddin & Mia, 2022).
Driven by the desire to enhance her family's economic well-being, Marjina plans to expand her income by selling eggs and investing in a goat. Her long-term goal includes establishing a small farm. Her success has inspired many of her neighbors to adopt organic farming practices, and her use of chemical-free fertilizers has given her produce a competitive edge (Khan & Sultana, 2022).
Through SAJIDA Foundation’s Climate Change Programme, Marjina has transformed adversity into resilience, becoming a role model for others in her community.
References to relevant literature:
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Ahmed, S., & Islam, M. (2021). Addressing the impacts of poverty on health and education in rural Bangladesh. Journal of Rural Development, 39(1), 112-127.
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Hossain, M., & Rahman, M. (2023). The effectiveness of climate-resilient farming practices in Bangladesh: A case study of SAJIDA Foundation's interventions. Agricultural Systems, 195, 103304.
Khan, R., & Sultana, S. (2022). The role of community-based programs in alleviating poverty and promoting sustainable agriculture. International Journal of Sustainable Development, 15(4), 45-60.
Uddin, M. N., & Mia, M. A. (2022). Impact of integrated farming systems on rural livelihoods in Bangladesh. Journal of Environmental Management, 301, 113865.
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About the organisation:
As an non-governmental organisation founded in 1993, SAJIDA aims to empower communities, catalyse entrepreneurship, build equity and establish enterprises for good with an overarching vision of ensuring health, happiness, and dignity for all. SAJIDA’s operations in Bangladesh have touched over 6 million individuals through its multi-sectoral development programmes which focus on poverty alleviation, community healthcare and climate change. It runs one of the largest financial service operations in Bangladesh and has specialised healthcare enterprises