Bachchu Khan (50), a day laborer from the remote Ichadi village in Gazalia Union, Galachipa Upazila, Patuakhali, was living a cheerful life despite poverty with his wife, son, and daughter. But suddenly, his wife fell ill and tragically passed away in June 2023 after three months of treatment for TB and other diseases. His wife’s sudden death put his life into a relentless struggle. He had already spent about BDT One lac and 20 thousand on her treatment, exhausting his savings.
He used to live in a tiny, vulnerable hut built from polythene and hogla leaves on just 5 decimal land inherited from his family. During Monsoon, water would flood his home, soaking his bed, and during cyclones, he had to seek refuge in others’ houses. He had no choice left but enduring a harsh, inhuman life in this disaster-prone area. Since his savings were gone from his wife’s medical expenses, he was even unable to afford the basic human right of a proper home.
His wife, Josna Begum, had been a surveyed member of the ‘Pathways to Prosperity for Extremely Poor People (PPEPP-EU)’ project since 2021, funded by Palli-Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) and the European Union implemented by WAVE Foundation. Because of his wife’s membership, he received a special grant of BDT 18 thousand from the project for house renovation. With additional wood from his own trees, his house renovation was completed in May 2024.
Since then, Bachchu Khan no longer has to abandon his home during rain or natural disasters. With the project’s support, he and his children are living safely in a disaster-resilient house. He shared in his local tone, “My wife was sick for over three months, and all my savings went to her doctor. When she died, I became utterly helpless. I somehow managed to feed my children by working on the streets, but I had no money for a roof over our heads. So, I used to live in a makeshift shack of polythene and hogla, begging from people. During storms, I had to go to others’ houses. My days were filled with immense hardship. WAVE Foundation helped me build this house because my wife was a member. I pray to Allah to keep you all well. My days of suffering are over because of you.”
