Shufal Chakma, Bandarban
Bamboo is being used for various purposes by the people of the region for centuries. But, the bamboo bears a special significance for the people living in Chittagong Hill Tracts area. Livelihood of many people of CHT depends on the use of bamboo for making fences and various crafts and selling those to various markets.
Marjina Akhter, a resident of Bandarban, lost her mother after passing her sixth grade. Her father then married another woman. Being frustrated with the torture of her step mother, Marjina married Abdul Ali of the locality but when she gave birth to a female child her husband left her and went to Khulna. Finding no way of survival, Marjina started making bamboo fences like her five other sisters. She is surviving with her baby by selling the fences. He drew a loan of Tk 10,000 from local IDF NGO and by purchasing bamboo at Tk 2 per metre she has been making fences commercially. She now sells per metre of furnished bamboo fences at Tk 120 and she earns Tk 8,000 to 9,000 per month from the fences.
The demand of bamboo fences increases in the winter season and Marjina needed to hire 2 to 3 more labourers to finish her jobs in time. Livelihood of more than 100 people of Islampur ward under Rajbila union depends on making and selling of bamboo fences.
Hafizur Rahman with his wife and four hired labourers makes bamboo fences and sells those to Khalil Saodagar, a wholesale trader of the area. He pays Tk 350 as wages to each labourer daily.
He said, “I earn Tk 12,000 to Tk 15,000 profit per month by selling the fences. Wholesale traders purchase the fences from him and other fence makers and sell those to Bangalhalia, Rajarhat, Chandraghona Litchu Bagan from where those fences are sent to other places of the country.
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Shahidul Islam Mithu, Member of the ward informed, helpless Marjina Akhter is being given the Widow Allowance and she will get other government facilities as well.
Ka Aung Pru Marma, Chairman of Rajbila Union Parisad, said, “Widow Allowance has been granted for Marjina Akhter and she will also get the VGD card.”
AKM Jahangir, Bandarban Sadar Upazila Chairman, said, “The government assistance and social security allowances facility will continue for the distressed, helpless and widow women.”
