Lovely Khatun lives in a village called Kismat Jhonjonia in Rampal Union of Bagerhat district of Bangladesh. She is 33 years old, unmarried and used to work as a fish trader in the local market. Despite being called ‘poor’ by some, Lovely has always been interested and motivated to engage in social work and develop her community.
The people of Kismat Jhonjonia lived without a safe water facility for decades. The area was declared salinity effected and although many initiatives were taken for installation of tube wells over the years, all had failed. Without any other options the villagers sourced water from adjacent ponds, which are muddy, salty and contaminated by human and household waste.
The HYSAWA-AusAID project began implementing WatSan programmes in Rampal Union in 2010. At that time the community people were disillusioned. They did not believe the project could deliver safe water options because similar interventions were promised by NGOs before, but they never happened.
Lovely Khatun however was different. When she first heard about the HYSAWA programme she was excited to understand it in detail and eager to help solve the water crisis in her community. Lovely went to the Union Council and discussed the details with the UP chairman and members. She cross-checked what project staff said about the possible facilities, systems, rules and other formalities and became convinced that the support was worthwhile pursuing. Lovely went from door-to-door to gain backing for participation in the programme. She spoke with her friends, family and neighbours, formed a Community Development Forum (CDF) and made a proposal to the Union Council for two tube wells.
In August 2011 construction on two tube wells began. Construction was completed in November and water quality tests were conducted for salinity, iron and arsenic. All were at acceptable limits. The safe water crisis has been resolved in her village. Her community people are highly satisfied and are grateful to Lovely for her initiative for getting safe water through the HYSAWA project. They observe the burden of waterborne diseases has reduced day by day.
One day in 2010 Lovely decided to become a Community Volunteer in the HYSAWA project. Day by day she became a representative of the poor in her community.
One day in 2011, Lovely Khatun decided to run as a candidate in the UP elections. The electorate acknowledged the leadership and commitment she had shown as a community volunteer and elected her to the Union Council. Now she is working for the people, by the people and together with the community for the betterment of all in Rampal.
Case study collected by Zinat Jasmine Poppy, HYSAWA Community Organiser, Rampal Union, Rampal Upazila, Bagerhat District, December 2011. Translation and photographs by Mr. Shahid Ullah Mazumder, Consultant (Capacity Building), HYSAWA.