From Dream to Diploma: One Woman’s Path in Bangladesh
Sushoma always wanted to be a teacher. But family and societal norms prevented her from getting an education and pursuing her dream–until a project implemented by faith-based organizations and supported by the U.S. helped make her dream a reality. The program that inspired her was part of the USAID-funded MOMENTUM Country and Global Leadership project. Sushoma is shown above with her “admit” card to sit for the SSC exam to get her diploma.
Sushoma’s Story
My name is Sushoma and I am 38 years old. I am married with one daughter and one son and live in Bangladesh. In my childhood, I had a dream to become a school teacher. I begged my parents to allow me to complete my education. But they did not listen to me. I was told that I am a girl and what is the use for a girl to study? I was married at the age of 13. My mother-in-law did not allow me to go outside and talk to anybody. I thought I would never be able to fulfill my dream.
When Faith in Action (FIA), a local organization that partners with World Renew, started to work in our area, I became a member of a group and served as a health volunteer. I learned many things from the group, and I started to talk with my mother-in-law and my father-in-law about my dream.
Sushoma as a volunteer in the Very Young Adolescent program leading a session with a parents’ group.
In 2021, FIA started a gender transformative program with very young adolescents (VYAs) in my area. I got an opportunity to serve as a volunteer for this program. I learned a lot from the ‘Choices’ lessons that were delivered to the VYAs (10 to 14-year-old girls and boys). The lessons spoke to me powerfully as they resonated with my life, my dream, and the challenges I faced in fulfilling my dream.
The lesson, ‘Doorways to our Dreams’ helped me to rediscover my dream within myself. Another lesson helped me to realize that one needs the support of family and friends to fulfill a dream. I realized that I need to keep my dream alive. I talked with the FIA staff and they advised me to start studying again. With the support of the FIA team and my family, I enrolled in the 9th grade.
Sushoma as the Peoples’ Institution Chairperson and Community Activist leading a session in a group for men.
I asked myself again and again if it would be possible for me to continue until the end. In those moments my learning from ‘Choices’ Session, `Invisible Wall’ helped me to overcome all those barriers and to find self-confidence. I passed Grade 9 and 10 successfully and then I was able to sit for the school final exam (SSC exam). I am so happy about it. I am doing well in each of my exams. When I study at night, my husband sits beside me. It makes me feel good.
Now I dream big. I want to go for higher education. Currently, I am serving as the Chairperson of the PI (Peoples Institution) of FIA. I want to continue to contribute to my community. If I was not involved with the VYA program, I would not be encouraged to fulfill my dream after so many years. I would like to express my thankfulness to the program and to FIA and World Renew.
For more information about the Very Young Adolescent project supported by USAID’s MOMENTUM Country and Global Leadership, see Trip Report: Supporting Faith-based Organizations in Bangladesh to Reach Very Young Adolescents; and Strengthening very young adolescents in gender equality in Bangladesh in the peer-reviewed Christian Journal for Global Health.