Category: Stories

“I am continuing my study at night without facing any difficultly. Now I can concentrate on my study better than before. SHS brings ray of light in my life to fulfill my dream-to become a doctor. She thanks RISDA to introduce them with solar home system.”- Sheuly(15) expressed her feelings with gratitude.

SheuliAkter(15) is the eldest daughter of Montu Mia and SahnazBegumlives in a remote area of Shokna village under Mouluvibazar district. Sheuli is a meritorious student and the class topper. But she faced severe difficultly to continue her study at night as there was no electric facility available in her village. Studying after dark to dim, flickering candle lights and kerosene lamps- created difficulty to complete her day to day lesson. The problem became acute during her SSC exam. Besides it also produced additional cost for her father who is a farmer. One day Sheuli’s father met one of the RISDA’s staff and came to know about solar home system. After knowing and being motivated, he decided to purchase solar home system for his house to lessen her daughter’s distress in evening study. Furthermore now they can charge their mobile phone with the installed system; earlier they faced difficulty to charge the phone and used to go distant to charge it with payment. Not only is that SHSservingSheuli’s nearby neighbors to charge their mobile and they are also interested to fix SHS at their home.

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RISDA-Bangladesh continues to advance renewable and clean energy solutions to enhance sustainable development, reduce environmental impact, and improve livelihoods in rural and off-grid communities.

Since 2011, the Solar Home System (SHS) Project has been a cornerstone initiative, providing households without grid electricity access to reliable solar power. The SHS eliminates fuel costs, requires no billing system, and can operate for up to 20 years without load-shedding, extending productive hours for families. Complementing household electrification, RISDA has promoted solar irrigation and mini-grid projects, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and supporting modern energy access. During 2023–2024, RISDA-Bangladesh successfully installed new SHS units and expanded solar systems, continuing its commitment to sustainable electrification.

The Solar Street Light Project, implemented since 2015, uses solar energy with LED and CFL technologies to provide efficient and durable outdoor lighting, particularly in remote rural areas. This enhances safety, mobility, and community activities while reducing reliance on traditional electricity. By June 2024, RISDA had maintained and expanded approximately 1,800 solar lights, benefiting numerous communities.

The National Domestic Biogas and Manure Program, active since 2009, alleviates the workload of women, improves health and sanitation, and enhances agricultural productivity through the use of biogas slurry. It also contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and conservation of traditional fuel sources such as firewood, agricultural residues, and dried dung cakes. Technical support is provided for plant maintenance. By June 2024, RISDA had successfully maintained and upgraded 56 domestic biogas plants, ensuring sustainable operation.

To address indoor air pollution and improve cooking efficiency, the Improved Cook Stove (ICS) Program, implemented with support from IDCOL since 2017, continues to reduce fuel consumption and mitigate health risks for women and children. The program uses a cluster-based approach in Madaripur and Shariatpur districts. By June 2024, RISDA-Bangladesh had cumulatively installed 12,580 improved cook stoves, promoting cleaner cooking practices and energy efficiency.

Through these integrated renewable and clean energy initiatives, RISDA-Bangladesh strengthens environmental sustainability, promotes women’s empowerment, and ensures inclusive access to modern energy services, reflecting its long-term mission of socio-economic development.

BornaAkter (18) lives with her parents along with two brothers and one sister at Tugoldia village under Salthathana in Faridpur division. Her father, Hemate Ali used to work as an electrician in that area. His income was good enough to maintain the family. At that time Borna and her siblings went to school and led a very happy life. But one incident changed their life completely. One day his father came to house with severe pain and inflammation in his eyes. Later Borna’s father was treated by various doctors and local quacks. But his condition remained the same and gradually he lost his eyesight completely. Within a few days, all the happiness of Borna’s family was shattered into pieces. At that time Borna was read in class 10.Suddenly their financial condition was broken down as her father was the only earning member of the family. They had to struggle a lot to maintain their family. Borna and her siblings dropped out from school due to financial problem.They were surviving in their respective families fighting against poverty, hunger, cruelty and domestic violence. LastlyBorna decided to do some income generating activities to bring solvency in their life.

In the meantime RISDA-Bangladesh has started Skill development program at Usufdia village of Faridpur district with the financial assistance of Bangladesh NGO Foundation where they provide different training program specially tailoring to disadvantaged women.Borna came to know about the program from one of the staff of RISDA named MasumaAkterMituand interested to getenrolled in tailoring program. After enrollment she received training on sewing, cutting and other basic process of cloth making.After successful completion of the program, Borna received sewing machine from RISDA which helped her to start a new life. Nowadays, Borna becomes very popular in her area for her excellent sewing work. She receives huge work order form her neighborhood. Her monthly income reaches to Tk5000-6000. Borna’s life has changed dramatically. She bears all educational cost of her younger brother and also the medical cost of her father.They are economically solvent now and got rid of the vicious eye of the lenders. Borna says

“Now our condition has improved. We are planning to live in a bigger and better house and my future plan is to have a tailoring shop of my own. I give thanks to RISDA-Bangladesh, from the core of my heart and wish them to continue their task so that girls like me could get help and become economically solvent.”

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Women-Centered Skill Development:

• Sewing & Dressmaking
• Fashion Garments
• Beauty Salon (Female)
• Caregiving
• IT for Girls
• Home-based enterprise development trainings

RISDA ensured women-friendly training spaces, childcare support, safety, and gender inclusion

JolekhaBegum (30) lives with her husband along with four children at Pirozpurvillage of Faridpur district. Her family comprises of 06 members and has four children. Her husband is a grower and the only bread earner of the family.Jolekha’s elder son is handicapped; he cannot walk on his own. Other family members considered him as a burden.Along with family crisis,unbearable poverty makes their life miserable. They were about to hand to mouth situation where children’s education seemed to be a luxurious item for them.Economic hardship forcedJulekha to stop her children’s study.Alternative income source came to a crying need for them. To overcome the penniless situation, Julekha wanted to do some home based income generating activities like cow/goat rearing but for kick-off the project sheneeded somemoney badly.

Julekha tried hard and soul for getting loan from others but nobody extended their supportive hand. At that time she came to know about the microfinance program of RISDA-Bangladesh which was operated in Shodorpur branch. Understanding the terms and conditions, she decided to borrow money from RISDA. Accordingly at first she lent Tk10,000 in 2011 and purchased one cow and goat. After one year rearing, she sold those cattle with profit and purchased two more cows at Tk 25,000.Lastlyshe lentTk 34,000 from RISDA and put up a cattle-farm at home. Now Julekha has seven cows and five goatsalong with poultry farm at home. She sells 10-15 kg cow-milk daily.They purchase land at Tk 5 lac for cultivation. Landless title is now abolished from their life.

Julekha is able to break the vicious cycle of poverty. Sheenrolled her cripple son to special school and younger son to primary school. Their life status has improved drastically. They became aware of the water, sanitation and health related problems. Previously the toilet condition was very dirty and unhygienic but now they came to about healthy living from RISDA staffs. They now clean their toilet and surroundings by terns. They also facilitated the place providing hand washing device, water, sandals and detergent powder mixed with water for hand washing. They are now keeping their surroundings tidy.

“I will never forget the day when joy in the form of tears was falling from the rim of my eyes,” Julekha speaks with gratitude and satisfaction. She thanks RISDA to be with her and makes her life meaningful.
Now days many people from her village are wanted to become independent and solvent like her through microfinance program of RISDA-Bangladesh.