Aeysha Siddka lives in the village of Kachutia in Bangladesh, in a home she shares with her daughter, parents, three siblings and a nephew. It’s the same house she grew up in — but it, like Aeysha, has changed substantially over the years. The leaky thatch roof is now sheet metal, and Aeysha, once an abused young mother, is today a successful entrepreneur and head of the household.
Aeysha completed 10th grade, more than many women in Bangladesh. Then, at 22, she entered into an arranged marriage with a man who turned out to be abusive. No matter how badly her husband behaved, she knew she would be blamed and shunned in the community if she left. But nothing was more important to Aeysha than her daughter’s future, so she left and moved back in with her parents.
Aeysha worked long hours in the field harvesting other people's crops and was paid with food rather than money — but it was not enough for her family. Despite the backbreaking work, she could barely feed her daughter, let alone save money to send her to school.
That all changed when Heifer International — and you — came into her life and gave her the gift of chicks! The combination of her hard work and Heifer's proven programs made it possible for her to become a successful poultry farmer and send Amina to school.
“As I know a lot of things from the different kinds of training from Heifer, I realize it is very good for me if I can help others,” Aeysha said. “When people who didn’t come to me before come to me now, I feel proud that people are asking me for help.”
Aeysha received training in animal management, gender equality, health and nutrition, and kitchen gardening. Heifer also helped Aeysha and other women form a cooperative, where Aeysha serves as vice president. She considers this leadership role as one of the most important things Heifer has given her because it allows her to support others. Whenever anyone is in trouble, Aeysha helps them.
Aeysha embodies the Passing on the Gift® philosophy, sharing her gifts — physical ones like animals and seeds, as well as abstract ones like knowledge and inspiration. She teaches farming and animal management, organic composting and her lifelong passion of sewing.
And sewing is a way to provide hands-on training to others while sharpening her clothing design skills.
Once shunned, Aeysha is now a pillar of her community. What a triumph of will and determination over adversity — boosted in no small part by your support for Heifer.
Thanks to your monthly gifts as a Friend of Heifer, women like Aeysha can find the strength to build skills, increase their incomes, and become self-reliant. Many become leaders like Aeysha, lifting their own and other families out of poverty. Thank you for your steadfast support.
