Family Futures - pathways out of extreme poverty

Extreme poverty often forces families in Sylhet to send their children into domestic or hazardous work just to survive. UKBET’s Family Future – Pathway out of Extreme Poverty programme directly tackles this cycle by supporting whole households. Families receive small business support, vocational training, access to healthcare, and help enrolling children and siblings into school. The programme’s approach is simple yet powerful: if families are stable and earning, children are free to study and dream.

Key Achievements (Jan–Aug 2025)Family Empowerment & Livelihood

• 28 families received micro-grants in the form of rickshaws, food stalls, tailoring machines, and small trading stock.
• 8 parents/guardians began vocational training in tailoring, electrical work, and beauty care.
• 6 adults secured safe jobs (clinic assistants, shop workers, drivers).
• 93 siblings enrolled into schools with fees, uniforms, and books provided.
• 47 children and 9 siblings receive regular tuition support, now strengthened with paid tutors including three former beneficiaries.
• 31 children who left child labour now benefit from full sponsorship.
• 221 families screened for health risks: 15 diabetes cases, 42 high blood pressure, 3 untreated fractures, and many skin diseases identified. Families referred to affordable care.
• Monthly hygiene packs (soap, shampoo, oil, toothpaste) distributed.
• Fortified biscuits provided to children to ease family food stress.
• 22 community meetings held on topics such as child marriage prevention, savings, and family health.
• 14 family members obtained essential documents (birth certificates, disability and elderly allowances).

Education SupportHealth & WellbeingCommunity EngagementCase Study: Rina (Not real name) and Her Family

Rina (Not real name), aged 12, once worked as a maid after her father (Not real name) became too ill to pull rickshaws. With UKBET’s support, the family received a rickshaw van, enabling her father to earn again. Rina’s brother (Not real name) was enrolled in school, and Rina now studies with private tuition instead of working. Her mother (Not real name) joined tailoring training to start a home-based sewing business.

“Before, we depended on our daughter’s earnings. Now, we depend on our own hands,” the family shared.

Recognition

• Best Family Progress Award: Shila’s (Not real name) household for moving two children into school.
• Community Contribution Award: Nasima (Not real name) for mobilising neighbours to join awareness sessions.

Conclusion

From January to August 2025, UKBET’s Family Future programme has enabled families to strengthen livelihoods, access healthcare, and send children to school instead of work. By keeping the entire household at the centre, the programme restores dignity, builds resilience, and helps families walk together on a pathway out of poverty.