Who: Khadija Begum
What: Ward Member, Shatgombuj Union Parishad (Wards 7,8,9)
Location: Shatgombuj Union Parishad,
Age: 42
I have lived in this Union Parishad for 30 years. I was married when I was 12 and so moved here. My husband is a businessman, in the fish industry. Now he is over 50.
I never imagined a career in politics. Never. It just developed like this! Before being elected as a Ward Member I was a Community Volunteer with HYSAWA. Before that I was a housewife. I have two sons aged 22 and 16 years.
Working as a volunteer I developed a reputation for my social work and gained trust. I got involved because the objective of that position was good. The people accepted me. When I was well known I stood in the election and people put their faith in me.
Now I am involved in broader ways. What I used to do before, doing backyard sessions on hygiene promotion and sanitation and the like, I am still doing that. But in addition I attend HYSAWA functions and participate in adopting any resolution and other decisions on implementation.
There is a shortage of sweet water here. It is demanded by everybody. In this Union Parishad 61 Deep Tube Wells have been installed with HYSAWA funds. Every time I see somebody they say ‘give me a tube well. I need one.’ There are some disputes over site selection, but we solve these through mediation and discussion. We resolve things so that the installation will benefit those people most in need.
Service to the community is the thing I like most about being a Union Parishad Ward Member. I look after Wards 7,8,9. The more I serve the community the more I am satisfied.