Case Studies Details

From Day Labourer to Skilled Technician: Utpol Tigga’s Journey Toward Livelihood Security

Utpol Tigga is a 20-year-old young man from an Indigenous (Oraon, under the Santal community) family residing in Bohobal Dighi village under Ranipukur Union of Birol Upazila, Dinajpur. His father, Purno Tigga, passed away in 2017, leaving the family in a precarious situation. Utpol currently lives with his mother, Sukumoni Tirki, who works as an agricultural labourer to support the household. He has an elder brother, Sukmar Tigga, and a sister, Purnima Tigga, both of whom are married and live separately

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.