Case Studies

Yes, I am saying about the Liton Roy. He is reading in the HSC at the Ramdubi Hat High School & College. Liton is suffering from Cerebral Palsy (CP ) by birth. His fathers name is Lolit Chandra Roy and mothers name are Nomita Rani Roy. Liton’s have only one sister. His father Mr. Lolit Chandra is a day laborer and mother is a housewife and living with extreme poverty. They haven’t any land except homestead 1-2 DM. Without selling labor, they didn’t manage their daily food and other cost.

Being a local organization JSKS is working since long time and during the implementation of Promoting Rights and Access to Inclusive Education Project (2009 to 2011), JSKS’s Project Officer identified to Liton that a Children with Disabilities are in Hargaon village under Sundarban Union who is not coming to School due to his disability. However, after necessary assessment, JSKS advocate to school and admitted him to nearest Government Primary School and developed the school infrastructure as disable friendly school. By this time JSKS provided necessary training to teachers and education related officials also.

Yes, the project has been finished but JSKS was always with Liton and now he is reading at college level. Due to his disability of CP, Liton always using low trolly and his friends help him to pull the trolly during schooling. Even they haven’t financial capacity to purchase the Low trolly and always JSKS provided him the low trolly.

However, JSKS is implementing the Youth Opportunity for Unity, Tolerance & Harmony (YOUTH) Project and Liton is the direct beneficiary of the project. During the lock down period Liton’s family was suffered from food crisis. When JSKS started the Cash support programme, Liton was selected as beneficiary and he got support 2 times already. Liton including his parents is so happy for the support and it is helping to continue his educational cost. Due to physical growth, Liton’s need a Low Trolly but the trolly’s price is very high and it is not possible to manage the amount from these small amounts. JSKS is trying to manage the fund for low trolly.

We wish Liton’s success in future.

Reshma Khatun a Person with Disabilities and she is suffering in Cerebral Palsy (CP). She is 20 years old and living in Purbo Saintara Village of Saintara Union under Chirirbandar Upazila. She was born with the CP. She couldn’t walk or standing. After her birth, father and mother left her and went to Dhaka. They were divorced and father married to other and mother is staining at Dhaka. Reshma’s grandmother (Nani) was taken responsibility to ensure food & other support. But her grandfather’s (67 years old) main sources of income are cycle mechanic and also living with extreme poverty.

Once JSKS was implemented Promoting Rights and Access to Inclusive Education for Children with Disabilities Project and the present PC of JSKS YOUTH Project Morzina Rupa was the Project Officer of the Project. However, Ms. Rupa identified to Reshma that she was in her village but Reshma and her grandmother does not think about the Reshma’s education. Rupa admitted her in the nearest primary school namely Purbo Saintara Primary School and she started her education. JSKS ensured follow up to Reshma and provided necessary assistive device for schooling like Tri-Cycle. JSKS provided several times the devices. And now Reshma is reading in Okrabari College and she is the HSC exam. candidate. And it was possible due to Reshma and her Grandmother’s commitment.

JSKS is implementing the Youth Opportunity for Unity, Tolerance & Harmony (YOUTH) Project, funded by Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) & FCDO (former DFID) and Reshma involved with the project since its inception. She is attending Life skill Sessions regularly. Due to COVID-19 and lockdown, people are not moving to other places. So that Reshma’s grandfather is also suffering from food crisis. The Union Parishad helps them but it was too small amount. When Reshma known the decision that she will get Tk. 2500, she and her grandmother were so excited and happy to know that JSKS is always with them. Obviously, it will help to continue her education.

Reshma want to complete her education and want to be a teacher. We wish her success in future. She also thanks to JSKS and MJF to support her and expect that she will get more support from the organization in future.

Utpol was a promising student and successfully completed his Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination in 2020 from the Humanities group with a GPA of 2.56. However, following his father's death, the family faced severe financial hardship. Despite his willingness to continue his education and build a better future, Utpol was forced to discontinue his studies and take up day labour to support his mother. His elder brother was unable to take responsibility for Utpol and his mother, leaving them to struggle for their daily livelihood. The family owns only 10 decimals of homestead land and 5 decimals of agricultural land, which is insufficient to sustain their basic needs. During this difficult period, Utpol had limited guidance, resources, or support to pursue his aspirations.agorikata-CEF Intervention:

JSKS is implementing the EMPOWER-Elevating Marginalized Populations through Women's Equity and Representation Project in partnership with the Nagorikata-Civic Engagement Fund (CEF). Although the project formally started on 18 December 2024, implementation began slightly later due to government approval processes and preparatory groundwork.

As per the planned approach, JSKS conducted community consultations at the grassroots level to identify potential project participants, with a specific focus on Adivasi and Dalit communities. During these consultations, designated JSKS officials including the Assistant Project Officer (APO) identified individuals who were most vulnerable and in need of support. Utpol Tigga was enlisted as a primary youth participant, along with 27 other members, forming the Ranipukur Youth Group under the EMPOWER Project.

JSKS facilitates the process through conducting issue-based group meetings on a bi-monthly basis, where participants receive various training sessions on leadership and advocacy, gender and diversity, and are linked with government opportunities. JSKS plays a catalytic role in establishing and strengthening linkages, networking, and collaboration between government departments and Adivasi and Dalit communities, who remain among the most marginalized populations in the region.

Training and Transformation:

As part of its ongoing efforts, JSKS regularly shares information about government training opportunities with the youth groups. When the Technical Training Center (TTC) in Dinajpur circulated information about their courses, JSKS shared the notice with the Ranipukur Youth Group including other groups. Utpol Tigga expressed strong interest and applied for the training on "Electrical Installation and Maintenance" (Level 1 & 2), which was conducted from October to December 2025.

The journey was not easy for Utpol. The distance from his home to the TTC in Dinajpur is approximately 24 kilometers one way meaning he had to travel 48 kilometers daily on his bicycle to attend the training. This required extraordinary dedication and resilience. Without strong determination, completing the course would have been nearly impossible. To support and encourage his participation, JSKS provided Tk. 2,000 as a transport allowance, which Utpol used to repair and maintain his bicycle throughout the training period.

Outcome and Impact:

Utpol successfully completed the Electrical Installation and Maintenance training (Level 1 & 2), acquiring practical skills in electrical works. He is now a trained electrician, capable of performing installation, repair, and maintenance tasks. This marks a significant transformation in his life-from being a day labourer with limited income and uncertain future, to a skilled technician with the potential for stable and dignified livelihood opportunities.

Utpol has expressed his desire to use his skills to serve his community and contribute to his family's well-being. He is actively involved in the Ranipukur Youth Group and continues to participate in capacity-building initiatives organized by JSKS. His journey stands as a powerful testament to how access to information, opportunities, and modest support can change the life trajectory of a marginalized young person. Utpol Tigga has already enrolled his name at TTC for the Level-3 Training course, which will start soon.

Sustainability:

Utpal's journey toward sustainability is already taking shape. He is continuing his technical education and has begun offering electrical services in the local market, generating income while building a reputation as a skilled technician. His practical skills, active involvement with community youth groups, and personal drive to keep learning suggest that the transformation he has experienced will endure long after the project ends. Moreover, Utpal's success is already inspiring other young people from Adivasi and marginalized communities in his village to explore skills training and income-generating opportunities, creating a ripple effect of positive change that extends beyond his individual achievement.

Conclusion:

Utpol Tigga’s story reflects the transformative potential of the EMPOWER Project in empowering Indigenous youth through skills development, economic inclusion, and social mobilization. With sustained support from JSKS and its partners Nagorikata-CEF, GFA Consulting Group, Swiss in Bangladesh, Canada in Bangladesh, and the European Union young people like Utpol are not only improving their own lives but are also becoming agents of change for their communities. His journey from a day labourer to a skilled electrician exemplifies the core objective of the project: building resilience, dignity, and sustainable livelihoods among marginalized populations.