Building a Better Life with Her Own Hands: Shibani’s Homegrown Business
In a small village called Machiara in southwest Bangladesh, Shibani Rani Dhali is quietly building a better future for her family, one business-step at a time. Shibani lives with her husband, two children, and in-laws in the Satkhira district, a region affected by poverty and climate-related challenges. Her husband works as a daily wage laborer, and the family has long struggled to make ends meet. But thanks to support from Malteser International and our local partner Mukti Foundation, Shibani is now leading her family toward a life of greater stability and self-reliance.
A new beginning with floor mat weaving
In 2023, Shibani became a participant in our livelihood project, supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Aktion Deutschland Hilft. She joined a local self-reliance group, began saving small amounts regularly, and took part in skill-building activities. With training and a starter kit, including 10 kg of cotton and other materials, she launched a small floor mat weaving business from her home.
Growing more than just income
Encouraged by her progress, Shibani and her family started a small kitchen garden with what she was able to save from selling her mats. Today, they not only eat fresh vegetables from their own land but have also sold produce worth 2,000 BDT (around 17 euros) in just three months.
With this amount, her family could afford enough rice, lentils, oil, and basic groceries to feed all six family members for about a week, without relying on outside help. They’ve added poultry and ducks to the mix of income sources too, now owning 23 hens and 18 ducks, which are providing home-raised eggs and meat.
Expanding possibilities
With profits from her mat business, Shibani bought a sewing machine to begin making and selling reusable shopping bags. She also took a small loan from her savings group to purchase a goat, another step toward diversifying income sources for the family.
“We started with mat weaving,” says Shibani. “Now we have a garden, raise poultry, sew shopping bags, and even own a goat. We have assets worth 30,000 BDT (around 255 euros), and savings of 7,800 BDT. We are finally able to meet our family’s needs.”
Shibani’s story is one of many. With your support, we can help more families like hers gain the tools, skills, and opportunities they need to create lasting change. Every donation helps build resilience, one family at a time.
(June 2025)
