Personal Story

Angeli Tudi holds her daughter tightly as she stands in front of the brickworks in Dinajpur district. She is the president of the local para sangatham (community organisation). She is one of a team working to return mortgaged land to their rightful owners, and to provide a safer lending system for those in need.

Individual landowners cannot stand alone against moneylenders, but when they come together in a para sangatham, a lot can be achieved. Christian Aid’s partners, CCDB and Gono Kalayan Trust (GKT), help people work together for changes.

The whole village belongs and benefits. ‘We no longer have to go to moneylenders – we borrow from our own account,’ Angeli says. Unfortunately, her own land is mortgaged. ‘We have an acre of land (but) can’t grow anything on it. It’s mortgaged for three years. I may never get it back, but through the para sangatham I am hoping to redeem my land.’ There is hope for the future. ‘CCDB will help us. When we get our land, I’ll cultivate it myself and life will be better.’

Together the local community, Christian Aid’s partners and Commitment for Life create lasting change for individuals who just want the chance to work their own land to improve life for themselves and their families.

In Mankiganj district, Rajida Begum has had leadership training with GKT.
Her new skills were soon tested. The chimneys of the local brickworks were too low and poured smoke and ash onto crops. ‘Nearby paddy fields were burned to ash and the bamboo groves were nearly killed,’ Rajida explains. ‘I encouraged my neighbours to demand a taller chimney that would protect our environment.’

Three hundred women joined the demonstration. Through Rajida and her community efforts, the brick manufacturers were forced to improve their chimney. The community’s crops now grow undamaged.

ACT

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