Above: 19-year-old Tasnim has turned climate smart agriculture training into a livelihood support for her whole family. Photo: Mahbub Alam/Plan International Bangladesh

Above: Tasmin with her proud father in the garden. Photo: Mahbub Alam/Plan International Bangladesh

Above: With earnings from her garden, Tasnim bought a goat, a sewing machine, and has even leased land to expand her cultivation. Photo: Mahbub Alam/Plan International Bangladesh

Baharchara Union is located at the southern end of Bangladesh, surrounded by green hills and the Naf River. It may look like there are many ways to earn a living here, but in reality, not everyone has the same opportunities, especially those from low-income families.

“I am a day laborer, mostly work in winter. The rest of the year, I stay unemployed. I also catch fish for traders, but with such low income, I can’t raise my children properly,” said Manik* (48).

“We used to collect firewood from the hills, cut bamboo to sell, and grow seasonal vegetables to support our family along with my husband. But now we can’t go there—there’s fear of abduction by local criminals. They kidnap people for ransom,” said Aklima* (38), Tasnim’s mother.

Manik and Aklima also grow vegetables on their land. But during the rainy season, heavy rainfall damages the crops, leaving them unable to eat or sell the produce. The family has eight members to support: five daughters and one son. Manik, Tasnim’s father, struggles to provide food, clothing, healthcare, and education for them all. As a result, 21-year-old Tasnim had to end her education after class 9.

To empower economically vulnerable families, Plan International Bangladesh, along with local partner Friends in Village Development Bangladesh (FIVDB), supports youth aged 18 to 24 from these vulnerable households, with the support of the Australian Government through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership. They provide technical training, financial support, regular follow-up sessions and links with the existing market as well as other stakeholders such as government offices, so they can become entrepreneurs and support their families.

"Based on the criteria, we identified Tasnim, and, in June 2024, provided her with a two-day training on Climate Smart Agriculture. From that, she learned techniques like the raised bed method, pit method, sack method, tower method, and how to identify quality seeds," said Abdul Mazed, Livelihood Volunteer at FIVDB.

Since the training, FIVDB has been conducting daily follow-ups and quarterly visits to track Tasnim’s progress and identify any additional support she might need. So far, she has received support worth 7,100 taka (90 AUD), including items like nets, sacks, rope, bamboo, vermicompost, insect trap paper, and sex pheromone traps. Depending on the season, she cultivates crops such as bottle gourd, sweet pumpkin, bitter gourd, cucumber, eggplant, and yearlong beans.

The whole family now supports Tasnim, and her profits are steadily growing. Her father helps by carrying vegetables to sell in the local market. From the beginning of her cultivation to this date, she has earned nearly BDT 40,000 - 50,000 (500-620 AUD).

“I never thought I would ever have a bank account for savings. Our family used to live hand to mouth,” said Tasnim, proudly and a bit shyly. “Now, from those savings, I’m expanding my activities.”

Tasnim bought a goat, a sewing machine, and has even leased land to expand her cultivation. Inspired by her success, neighbours have started sack and tower gardening too. From one small garden, she's now managing sewing and livestock, and growing her farming activities. Who knows how far she’ll go from here?

“Thanks to Plan International Bangladesh and FIVDB, I never thought I’d become the main earning member of my family at this age. Their support was like a light in the darkness. Now, I can dream, dream of becoming someone who inspires other struggling girls to rise and fight like I did,” Tasnim said, her voice trembling, but full of strength.

This activity is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership and implemented by the CARE-led consortium with Oxfam and Plan International.

*Names changed

A girl, a garden and an entrepreneurial spirit: Tasnim’s diverse businesses sprout change

Bringing Socceroo magic to the camps of Cox’s Bazar