The government’s housing project Ashrayan has changed the lives of its beneficiaries in Faridpur.
Once landless, they now dream of having a prosperous life as they are becoming self-reliant with the government’s support.
Thousands who did not have a roof over their head a year ago are now living in semi-pucca houses with colourful tin sheds.
Many of them are growing vegetables at home. Some are raising ducks, chickens, cattle and goats. Others are busy sewing clothes. The beneficiaries of the project are now working to improve their lives and ensure a better future for their children.
Sabeda Begum, one of the beneficiaries, said she had never imagined that she would one day have a permanent address.
Like Sabeda, Latifa Akhter, Hafizur Rahman and many others can now send their children to school.
People living in Ashrayan houses are also getting regular training by forming cooperatives. Although they are not formally educated, they are on the way to becoming self-reliant through these training sessions.
Faridpur Additional Deputy Commissioner (revenue) Tamlima Ali said the government ensured housing for around 5,000 landless and homeless people of Faridpur in the third phase of the Ashrayan project.
Boalmari UNO Rezaul Karim and Nagarkanda UNO Jeti Pru said Ashrayan is unique because no government of any country in the world has taken such an initiative to build safe homes for the homeless.
Meanwhile, Faridpur Deputy Commissioner Atul Sarkar said: “We have helped realize a dream of the prime minister through implementing this project.”
“Playgrounds, schools, mosques, madrasas and temples have been built at several places. The beneficiaries are also being provided with loans and various kinds of training to ensure that they live a prosperous life.”