In the quiet village of Madla in Shahjadpur, Sirajganj, Samina Khatun’s story stands out as a testament to perseverance and ambition. A few years ago, Samina’s life was far from where it is today. What began as a small operation delivering milk to her neighbors has since transformed into a successful dairy farm, bringing in 50,000 to 60,000 taka each month. But Samina’s success was not handed to her—it was built with hard work, strategic support, and a vision for something greater.
Samina’s journey into the world of dairy farming started with a modest loan of just 1,500 taka from a local loan provider. At the time, it was all she could afford, but it was enough to get her started. She began delivering milk and dairy products to nearby households, balancing this new venture with her role on her husband’s farm. The goal was simple: repay the loan and build a stable income. But Samina had bigger dreams.
“I started with just delivering milk to nearby homes,” Samina shares, recalling those early days. “But I knew that if I could grow my business, I could create more opportunities for myself and my community.”
As she gradually built a customer base, primarily consisting of local shop owners, tea stall vendors, and households, Samina saw the potential to expand. However, she knew that real growth would require more resources. That is when her mother-in-law introduced her to Grameen Trust’s Nobin Uddokta Program, which not only provided Samina with a small loan but also connected her to training modules designed by Impact Hub Dhaka (IHD) in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) — critical training programs that would help her turn her dreams into reality.
“The training modules were a great addition to my mission of expanding opportunities,” Samina explains. “They taught me how to manage my finances and run my business more effectively.”
In October 2022, Grameen Trust collaborated with IHD and the ILO to equip more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from marginalized communities in 25 districts across Bangladesh, like Samina, with essential skills in digital business transformation and financial literacy.
With the skills she gained through the training, Samina was able to purchase two cows, which now provide 30 liters of milk each day. She sells milk across her community with the help of her husband and has also gained a reputation for producing delicious dairy products that are locally popular.
But Samina’s ambitions do not stop here. She is determined to continue growing her dairy farm, reaching more customers, and expanding beyond her village. “I want to get more cattle and create more opportunities outside my community,” she says with a quiet resolve. “The impact of the training sessions from Impact Hub Dhaka has been invaluable, and I believe they will help me achieve my goals.”
Samina Khatun’s story is one of resilience and vision—a story of starting small, working hard, and building something bigger. It is a reminder that with determination and the right support, even the smallest beginnings can lead to great success.
