Murshida Lives Life Fully

Murshida, 15, is the youngest child of Nachima, 46. She lives in the Bagmara community with her mother, sister Khaleda, 22, and her aunt. Murshida survived working in a shrimp processing plant for three years, endangering her health and interrupting her education. “My sister and I worked in a cold, moist and slippery environment, especially on the night shifts,” Murshida says. Both girls suffered from swollen hands and feet, fungal infections and muscle pain.

As a single mother, Nachima moved her family to Khulna. “I often begged on the street, chopped firewood, and sometimes worked as a maid. I hardly could make $1 a day…” Nachima says. When Nachima could not provide writing notebooks, pens, and uniforms for Murshida, she was forced to drop out of school, beginning her work as a child laborer.

Murshida, Nachima & Khaleda sharing a light moment

Nachima is now surrounded by her loved ones and breaths the fresh air of happiness. She shared that World Vision’s help has improved their lives for the better and allowed her family to live fully. She sells her fabric in the community and makes about $90 per month. She keeps detailed sales records and carefully chooses inventory that reflects the tastes and preferences of her customers. Nachima advocates for an end to child marriage and urges every fabric customer to send their children to school. “We eat three meals with fish and vegetables regularly and have meat at least once a week,” says Nachima. She can even bank some of her money every month. Khaleda sells ‘fuska’, a homemade dish in the community, and supplements the family income.

As for Murshida, her childhood has been restored. “After school, I receive tutoring from World Vision’s center…I’m able to dance, sing, play, and study again with my friends. I dream to serve vulnerable people as a police officer,” dreams Murshida. Once again, Murshida can live her life fully.