Disabled but self-reliant

Disabled Siddiqur Rahman at his grocery shop at Sheikh Para village under Jagdal union in Sadar upazila in Magura. PHOTO: STAR

A local NGO, Association for Social Action and Improvement (ASAI), came forward to make him well-established in life with Tk 4,000 interest-free loan.

An unknown disease made him crippled at the age of nine. In spite of his disability he was determined to pursue studies because he did not like to be a burden for his family and society. He passed BA examination in 1986. After graduation he searched for jobs but failed.

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In the mean time, he got married, as desired by his parents. At this stage, he decided to start a business. He set up a grocery shop with a capital of Tk 1,000 inside a tin-shed room adjacent to his house. By the time his family became bigger. He became father of two sons and a daughter. But poverty made life miserable for all of them.

'My son Ashikur Rahman (Ashik) had to stop schooling. He became a day labourer,' Siddique told this correspondent at his house.

At last fortune smiled at him when ASAI officials visited his village and gave him interest-free loan amounting to Tk 4,000.

Utilising the loan he expanded his grocery shop. Fellow villagers were also sympathetic to him. Because they purchased goods from his shop regularly.

"Now I earn Tk 3,000 to 4,000 a month. My wife and children are happy. My son Ashik attends school regularly," contented Siddique informed The Daily Star.