Female
Housewife
Village: Mathurapur-II block
Dist.- South 24 Parganas
The Inspiring Journey of a Woman from Sundarbans German Bakery
In the heart of Kailashpur, a small village nestled in the Mathurapur-II block of South 24 Parganas district, lives Sulekha Samanta- a woman of quiet strength and resilience. Life was never easy for her. As a housewife, she devoted herself to managing her home, while her husband, Basudeb Samanta, worked as an agricultural labourer, toiling under the harsh sun to earn a meagre wage. They had two children-a son and a daughter-who looked up to them with innocent eyes full of dreams. But dreams alone could not put food on the table.
Sulekha and her family lived on the edge of survival. The weight of poverty bore down on them, squeezing hope out of their daily existence. Every meal was measured, every rupee stretched beyond its limit, and yet, there were days when their stomachs went half-full, their desires buried under the crushing burden of reality. She watched helplessly as her husband worked tirelessly, yet their earnings barely covered the essentials. The thought of giving her children a better future seemed like a distant fantasy.Then, in 2015, a spark of hope emerged. Word spread in the village that Sabuj Sangha, an organization working towards community upliftment, was recruiting for a bakery project-Sundarban-German Bakery. Sulekha’s heart pounded with a mix of excitement and fear. Could this be the opportunity she so desperately needed? Would she, a simple housewife, be able to work in a bakery?
Summoning all her courage, she applied. The waiting period felt like an eternity, but when the good news finally arrived-she had been selected-she could hardly believe her ears. A new chapter of her life was about to begin.Stepping into the bakery, Sulekha faced challenges she had never known before. The unfamiliar environment, the precision required in baking, the discipline of a workplace-all of it was overwhelming. But she refused to falter. With determination in her heart, she learned each task with diligence, embracing the opportunity as a lifeline for her family. Day by day, she grew more confident, her hands mastering the art of baking, her heart swelling with newfound pride.And then, something extraordinary happened-she started earning. For the first time in her life, she could contribute financially to her family. The joy of handing over her earnings to her husband, of seeing the relief on his face, was indescribable. The strain of poverty began to ease. Their children’s schooling, which once seemed like an impossible dream, was now a reality. She could buy books, uniforms, and ensure that her son and daughter had a chance at a better future.With tears of gratitude in her eyes, Sulekha often reflects on her journey. “We used to struggle to make ends meet,” she says, her voice trembling with emotion. “But today, because of Sabuj Sangha, we can live with dignity. I can support my family, and my children can go to school without worry. This opportunity has changed my life forever.”
Her story is not just one of survival but of transformation-of breaking free from the chains of poverty and embracing a life of hope. SulekhaSamanta’s journey is a testament to the power of opportunity, resilience, and the unwavering spirit of a woman determined to rewrite her destiny. And as she kneads the dough in the bakery, she knows that with every loaf of bread, she is shaping a better future-not just for herself, but for her family, and for every woman who dares to dream.
* As per our Organization’s Policy Names of all individuals altered to maintain safety & privacy.
Collected by:
Name: Palash Mondal
Location: Nandakumarpur, South 24 Parganas
Date: 17/01/2025