Providing sustainable small business support in Kushtia, the human rights and development organization FAIR has distributed essential trade equipment and business management training to 24 local micro-entrepreneurs.

This initiative aims to elevate living standards and create long-term self-employment opportunities for marginalized communities in the region, including widows, persons with disabilities, and individuals fighting cancer. Implemented under FAIR’s ‘Entrepreneurship Development Assistance Program‘, the project is funded by the Bangladesh NGO Foundation (BNF).

Practical Skill Development and Financial Literacy

Following an intensive day-long training workshop on financial management and business operations, customized equipment and raw materials were handed over to the beneficiaries. The practical session was conducted by Dewan Akhtaruzzaman, Director of FAIR, who translated complex business principles into accessible guidelines for the participants.

The interactive workshop focused on key operational areas:

• Accurate Accounting & Pricing: Keeping systematic daily records and calculating profitable yet fair product margins.
• Sustainable Asset Management: Ensuring long-term and efficient use of the materials provided by FAIR.
• Credit Control & Savings: Managing credit sales cautiously while building regular savings routines.
• Customer Retention: Practical strategies to expand trade by building a loyal customer base.

Empowering Through Dignity, Not Charity

At the closing ceremony, distinguished guests presented the business kits to the participants. Notable attendees included:

• Moha. Atiar Rahman, Social Service Officer (Regd.) & Assistant Director, District Social Services Office, Kushtia
• Md. Ariful Islam, City Social Services Officer, Kushtia
• Kazi Rafiqur Rahman, General Secretary, Kushtia Bus-Minibus Owners’ Association
• Md. Obaidur Rahman, Finance Secretary, FAIR

Commending the initiative, the special guests highlighted that providing small business support in Kushtia offers vulnerable families a dignified path out of poverty rather than reliance on temporary relief.

Highlighting the vision of the organization, Dewan Akhtaruzzaman, Director of FAIR, stated:

“FAIR is not merely offering goods or financial assistance. We are equipping micro-entrepreneurs with actionable skills and long-term guidance so they can leverage their effort to stand tall on their own feet. Our ultimate goal is to enable every participant to scale their enterprise step by step.”

Expressing her heartfelt gratitude, beneficiary Khusi shared her inspiring journey:

“I started my small tea stall under extreme hardship with just 20 grams of tea leaves and 100 grams of sugar. This timely support from FAIR will allow me to expand my business and secure my family’s future.”

Diversity of Trade Support Provided

To meet specific trade requirements, FAIR delivered customized assistance packages across four primary business sectors:

• 🛒 Grocery Businesses: Inventory kits containing edible oil, sugar, lentils, flour, spices, soaps, detergents, and packaged snacks.
• ☕ Tea & Snack Stalls: Premium tea leaves, sugar, crockery, kettles (electric & aluminum), gas cylinders, burners, and seating tools.
• 🍲 Street Food (Chotpoti & Fuchka): Specialty preparation utensils, display racks, gas cylinders, stoves, and serving sets.
• 🛠️ Other Micro-Enterprises: Professional salon equipment (hair trimmers, chairs, mirrors), wheelchair-accessible snack vending setups, and complete rickshaw repair toolkits.

The entire drive for small business support in Kushtia was successfully facilitated with key operational support from FAIR Project Coordinator K.M. Harisul Alam, Project Officers Md. Koushik Ahmed Shawn and Md. Robin Islam, and Finance Officer Md. Tutul Ali.

Get Involved with FAIR!

At FAIR, we believe in transforming lives through sustainable empowerment and community development. Your partnership can help us extend our reach to even more marginalized families across Bangladesh.

👉 Want to support our community initiatives or collaborate on future development projects?

Visit our website at fair-bd.org or contact our team today to learn how you can make a lasting impact!

 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Does FAIR accept funding from other donors for similar community development programs?

Answer: Yes, FAIR actively collaborates with various national and international donor agencies, corporate partners, and private foundation grants. Beyond our partnership with the Bangladesh NGO Foundation (BNF), FAIR welcomes financial and technical support from individuals, foundations, and international organizations to scale up poverty alleviation and micro-entrepreneurship programs across Kushtia and neighboring regions.

Q2: How does FAIR select beneficiaries for its entrepreneurship development programs?

Answer: Beneficiaries are selected through a transparent, community-driven assessment process. Priority is given to the most vulnerable and marginalized individuals in society—specifically widows, persons with disabilities (PWDs), individuals fighting critical illnesses like cancer, and families living under severe economic hardship who demonstrate the motivation to run a micro-business.

Q3: How does FAIR ensure the long-term sustainability of the supported small businesses?

Answer: FAIR ensures sustainability by combining direct asset distribution with practical business management training. Furthermore, our project teams conduct regular field follow-ups, offer advisory guidance on market access and savings management, and provide ongoing mentorship to help micro-entrepreneurs navigate operational challenges and expand their ventures steadily.