Empowered to Rise: Lovely’s Story of Skills, Strength, and Hope

“I began with nothing but hope and a wish to see a brighter future for my child. That hope became my strength, and that strength became my livelihood,” says Lovely Khatun.

At just 28, Lovely lives in a slum in Khulna, sharing a small rented room with her husband, young son, and elderly in-laws. For years, survival depended on irregular daily labor. Some days brought wages; others brought only worry. With a painful leg surgery limiting her mobility, Lovely could not take on physically demanding work. Poverty felt inescapable, and her child’s education seemed like a distant dream.

In 2024, Lovely joined the TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) programme by World Vision Bangladesh. Over three months, she gained hands-on skills in tailoring and entrepreneurship, learning to operate both manual and electric sewing machines and, more importantly, growing confident in her own potential.

Determined to change her future, Lovely took a bold step. With no savings, she secured a loan of BDT 31,000 and purchased her first electric sewing machine. By September 2025, she launched a small home-based tailoring business. Today, she serves 12 regular customers and has completed orders for more than 40 clients. Earning between BDT 8,000 and 10,000 per month, she now provides nutritious meals, supports her son’s education, and contributes to her family’s wellbeing.

Lovely dreams of opening a showroom and employing other women, passing on the empowerment she received. Her journey reflects how skills training transforms vulnerability into resilience  building not just income, but dignity, confidence, and hope for generations to come.