Junior Chambers International (JCI) Dhaka Independent recently launched “Phirey Ashar Lorai,” a socio-economic initiative to serve the community for continuous and sustainable growth in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Through the initiative, JCI Dhaka Independent on Saturday provided five sewing machines to women affected by the pandemic at the Mirpur 12 facility of Sombhabona, a social welfare organization working to help underprivileged children and their families with employment, according to a press release.
All of the recipients of the sewing machines had already received training from Sombhabona.
“We [JCI Dhaka Independent] handed over 5 sewing machines to those families with the hope of giving them a fresh start and regular income,” the press release said.
“We collected Zakat funds through our members and their friends and families from Bangladesh and abroad and created a fund to help those affected people by the coronavirus pandemic. Many had to change their profession and some lost small-scale businesses,” it added.
Farzana Akter, one of the recipients of sewing machines, said: “This might look small from your side, but, for me, this is so big that I couldn't sleep last night.”
Delivering a speech at the handover ceremony, JCI Dhaka Independent Local President Tasnuva Ahmed said: “During the lockdown last year, many people helped those who were less privileged with basic needs. However, many of them subsequently lost jobs and businesses, so we need to do something to get them a source of earning. This is why we thought of providing a means for earning.”
JCI Dhaka Independent National Vice President Mahmudun Nabi, Local Vice President Ishrat Sultana, Secretary General Benazir Rahman and Shafquat Husain were also present at the handover ceremony.
JCI Dhaka Independent is a new chapter of JCI Bangladesh launched in March.