Success Stories
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SHINE! Like a diamond!
Nur Ayesha Begum (18), a teenage girl and the eldest child of a day laborer father, grew up in a family of five siblings in utter poverty. Having no ancestral land, her family had to live on a small plot of purchased land on a hillside. Amidst extreme financial hardships, Nur pursued her studies and turned out to be one of the meritorious students in the science department of Sonaichari High School in Ukhia, Cox's Bazar.
It was nearly impossible for her father to singlehandedly ensure the basic needs of such a large family with his meagre income, moreover, the educational expenses of Nur and her younger siblings appeared to be an unbearable burden for the family. Nur’s family was in deep trouble as there was no reliable source of alternative income either.
Nur and her family found hope at last. Mukti Cox's Bazar, in May 2025, launched a vegetable farming initiative adopting homestead modality through its Skills for Hope, Independence and Empowerment (SHINE) Project and Nur Ayesha Begum was selected as the beneficiary of this project. At that time, a ninth-grade student Nur had limited knowledge about vegetable farming. The project provided her with the necessary theoretical and practical training and provided her essential farming equipment as support.
Having received the training, Nur Ayesha started vegetable farming using the sack method near her house where there was acute water scarcity. She regularly nurtured the garden along with her studies. Finally, her perseverance paid off when the first batch of vegetables started growing in her garden.
SHINE helped Nur and her family bring food variety in their diet meeting required nutritional needs from the vegetables grown in her own garden. Nur now earns enough money from selling the surplus vegetables in the local market to meet the educational expenses of her younger sister along with that of her own. This new source of income let her lessen the pressure on her father as well.
Nur Ayesha Begum feels proud of her success. Her long-cherished dream of higher education is a reality now. In addition, as a daughter, she is now able to directly contribute to her family's economy. Her entrepreneurial journey has inspired others in the area to be resilient, to be confident and brave enough to fight against all the battles to create a secure life.
"Now I speak for others’ rights!"
Mohsena Ara (24), the daughter of a poor auto-rickshaw driver from Ukhia, Cox's Bazar, is the eldest of three siblings. Despite financial constraints, she passed her SSC and later got married due to family pressure. After the marriage, she was subjected to neglect, physical and mental abuse by her husband. As she had no children, she was subjected to further harassment in the society and eventually her family broke up. After the divorce, she took refuge in her parental house where severe neglect, loneliness and mental panic from the family and the society consumed her. During this time, she withdrew from social interaction due to lack of confidence.
Participating in the "Soft Skills (Leadership, Communication and Negotiation)" training organized by the Skills for Hope, Independence and Empowerment (SHINE) project, implemented by Mukti Cox's Bazar, turned her life around. This training made her aware of her rights, power and potential. She became confident, assertive and outspoken. With this new strength, she started playing an active role in taking leadership decisions in her family and community.
Mohsena is now a recognized women leader in her area. She now raises awareness on different issues by conducting regular discussion meetings and awareness activities for local women, works for adolescent empowerment by motivating adolescent girls to be educated and self-reliant, supports women victims of violence, provides counseling and emotional support to women affected by violence, and fights against social prejudices.
Mohsena's future plans are more far-reaching. She aspires to become a skilled leader and form a women's support group in her community. Her long-term goal is to choose social service as a profession and work as a trainer on issues related to women's rights and protection. The most powerful expression of her transformation: -
"Earlier I was afraid to speak up even for myself,
now I speak for other women—that is my strength."
Mohsena’s story, the leadership skills, communication & negotiations training she received by the SHINE Project, have not only made her a stronger person, but she has also become a beacon of light for women in her community. Her personal transformation is now a form of collective social change. Mohena Ara proves that when a woman is empowered with the right skills and confidence, she can overcome personal trauma to become a powerful catalyst for change in her community.
Jasmine’s Hope and Determination
FDMN camps hinder and pose barriers to education and self-expression of children with disabilities. The Adolescent & Youth Project, supported by UNFPA and implemented by Mukti Cox’s Bazar, works to remove these barriers through life skills, protection, and literacy programs for adolescents and children with disabilities.
Jasmine, a determined adolescent girl from FDMN Camp- 11, overcame the challenges of being born with Speech Difficulty and fulfilled her long-cherished dream of being educated. With the support of the Girl Shine Session and Functional Literacy Program of Mukti Cox’s Bazar, she found a new path toward education, confidence, and self-expression.
Jasmine was born with a speech impairment that disrupted her verbal communication capabilities. Her inability to speak made it difficult for Jasmine to interact with others, which drastically affected her confidence. Without proper educational opportunities or community support, she had no means of developing her skills or breaking free from isolation.
In 2022, Jasmine became a regular participant in the Girl Shine Session under the IMHM project, implemented by Mukti Cox’s Bazar. These sessions provided a safe space where she could engage in life skills education and interact with other adolescents. Inspired by the supportive environment, Jasmine later enrolled in the Functional Literacy Program after successfully passing the Placement Test.
Through the Functional Literacy Program of Mukti Cox’s Bazar, Jasmine began learning letters, numbers, and basic literacy skills. Despite her speech impairment, she keenly observed her teacher’s lip movements and practiced pronouncing the letters and words. Her dedication and persistence became evident as she gradually learned to express her thoughts more clearly.
Jasmine made remarkable progress in both literacy and social interaction. Although her speech is still not fully clear, she can now express her thoughts more fluently, and people around, understand her a lot better. Jasmine’s teacher praised her for not only focusing on her own learning but also encouraging classmates who struggled with their handwriting. Jasmine’s mother shared that her daughter now speaks with neighbours—something she never did before.
“She used to stay quiet all the time.
Now, she smiles, talks, and tries to help others.
I’m proud of her.” - said Jasmine’s mother.
Jasmine’s journey shows how inclusive learning spaces and dedicated support can unlock the potentials of adolescent girls with disabilities. Her story is a reminder that when we remove barriers, every child can thrive and contribute to their community.
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