Maleka Begum, hailing from a remote village in the district, has now become a symbol of success, thanks to her ability to think out of the box and persistent efforts.

Once hit by financial hardship, the 36-year-old woman from Fulgachh village in Sadar upazila, is now solvent by manufacturing concrete slabs and rings of sanitary latrines.

At present, she earns a profit of around Tk 70,000 per month by selling the rings and slabs, setting an example for other poor villagers -- industry is the key to success.

Four years back, the woman and her husband Ramjan Ali of Fulgachh village in Sadar upazila got work as masons for 18 to 20 days in a month. Maleka earned Tk 150-160 while Ramjan got Tk 250-300 per day then.

Maleka Begum

The income they earned was not enough to run the four-member family smoothly, said Maleka, mother of two children.

"In 2012, I started manufacturing the latrine rings and slabs with my husband, taking a loan of Tk 20,000 from NGO Muslim Aid Bangladesh and since then we did not need to look back," she said.

Her husband has 14 decimals of land. There is a house on five decimals while the rest is being used for her business.

In the four years, the woman has saved Tk 5 lakh and become owner of four cows by doing the business.

More importantly, she has arranged schooling for her two sons -- Maminul Islam, 13, and Mostakin Islam, 7.

She also created job opportunities through the business. Ten local ultra-poor women and five male masons work here everyday.

"Around 90 to100 rings and 20 to 25 slabs are being manufactured here every day. I sell a ring at Tk 350-380 by spending Tk 280-300 and a slab at Tk 500-550 by spending Tk 400-450," said Maleka.

However, the same ring is sold at Tk 420-450 and slab at Tk 600-620 in the town, she said, adding that the villagers purchase the rings and slabs for building sanitary latrines at their home.

"I sell 60 to 70 rings and 12 to 15 slabs everyday," the woman said, adding that she earns a profit of Tk 2000-2500 after meeting all expenditures every day.

Her husband Ramjan helps her in the work.

"My wife has brought solvency to our poor family and we are now planning to purchase land and build a brick-built house," he said.

Mahiton Bewa, 55, a widow in the village, said she and other ultra-poor women got job in Maleka's firm and they work for Tk 120-150 every day.

Mason Aynal Miah, 42, said he earns Tk 350 from the firm per day.

Customers from different villages come here as they can buy the sanitary latrine items at cheaper rate, he said.

The NGO's Lalmonirhat Branch Manager Zahedul Islam said the organisation provided loans to Maleka for three terms in easy installment as she tried to bring solvency to her family by doing the business.

They are always ready to support with big amount of loan if she wants, he said.