Rahela Begum, a 48-year-old woman from Mongla, Bangladesh, has faced years of hardship while striving to support her family of five. With her husband’s income as a van driver proving insufficient, she took it upon herself to contribute financially. For the past five years, Rahela has worked as a waste collector in Mongla Sadar, enduring physically demanding labor under difficult conditions.
Her work came with significant health challenges, including shortness of breath, itching, abdominal pain, and skin diseases. Frequent injuries and poor working conditions, combined with a low monthly income of 5,000 Bangladeshi Taka (BDT), made it increasingly difficult to manage household expenses, especially as medical costs continued to rise.
Rahela’s life took a positive turn when she attended a one-day training on Safe Plastic Waste Collection and Sustainable Management of Single-Use Plastic, conducted under the PRISTINE Project. The training introduced her to innovative plastic waste management strategies and equipped her with essential safety skills. She also received personal protective equipment (PPE), including a mask, vest, gloves, and protective glasses, significantly improving her work environment. Additionally, the project provided primary healthcare services, free medications, and menstrual hygiene materials, addressing some of her most pressing concerns.
Armed with newfound knowledge and resources, Rahela’s efficiency in waste collection and sorting improved. She now collects approximately 3 kilograms of plastic daily, carefully separating multi-layered plastics, single-use plastics, bottles, and metallic items. Since implementing these improved practices, she has submitted around 300 kilograms of sorted plastic to the project’s collection hub. Her efforts have not only benefited the environment but also led to a significant increase in her earnings, now ranging between 8,000 and 9,000 BDT per month.
This financial stability has positively transformed her family’s quality of life. With higher earnings, she can afford better food, including vegetables, fish, and snacks for her children.
The shift has also influenced her family dynamics, with her husband proudly recognizing her contribution, stating, “You earn a good income. What do I care about?”
Beyond financial security, Rahela has gained newfound respect within her community. Once met with skepticism, her work is now valued, and she receives encouragement from local traders and neighbors.
Reflecting on her journey, she recalls how people initially questioned her efforts, saying, “What to do with them? No one buys them?” Today, her success speaks for itself, and even market traders support her by offering storage space for her collected waste.
Despite her achievements, Rahela remains committed to further improving her work conditions. She hopes to acquire better tools, such as a sack with a handle, to ease the burden of waste collection. More importantly, she aspires to inspire other women to join the profession, proving that waste collection can be a dignified and financially viable livelihood.
Rahela’s journey highlights the transformative power of training and support for marginalized women. Through the PRISTINE Project, she has not only improved her livelihood but has also contributed to a cleaner, more sustainable environment in Mongla. Her resilience and determination stand as a testament to how targeted interventions can create lasting impacts on individuals and communities alike.
