Firoza moves from shack to new home

Rainwater used to drip into the house through numerous holes in the tin roof. When strong winds blew, the leaning house would shake, making 61 year old Firoza’s heart tremble with fear. The dilapidated shack, with rusted tin sheets, broken fencing and standing on just one percent of land, was her entire world. She spent years living in such an unsafe environment. However, after a long wait, her suffering is now coming to an end. Through an initiative by the upazila administration, she is receiving a new home, turning her dream of a safe shelter in the final stage of her life into reality.

Firoza is a resident of Dashalia village in Ward No. 8 of Nandail Municipality in Mymensingh. Her husband, Saruz Ali, died about 25 years ago. After marrying off her only daughter, she began living alone. As she grew older, she lost her ability to work. With no permanent source of income to support herself, help from others and begging became her main means of livelihood.

According to locals, Firoza’s situation came to the attention of Upazila Nirbahi Officer Fatema Jannat through a local volunteer. She later visited the site herself to assess the actual situation. After seeing the circumstances, she took the necessary initiative and quickly arranged assistance. The initiative has not only brought a new home into Firoza’s life, but has also restored new hope for her future.

With tears of joy in her eyes, she said, “I never thought that I would be able to live in a new home at the final stage of my life. I could not sleep all night when it rained. Water would enter the house and everything would get soaked. I was very afraid whenever there was a storm or rain. Now I feel that Allah has looked upon me.”

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Fatema Jannat said, “After visiting Firoza’s home and seeing the actual situation, I informed State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yaser Khan Chowdhury about the matter. Under his instructions, an initiative has been taken to construct a new home with assistance from the Social Welfare Council through the Mymensingh District Administration.”