"I was forced to return to Bangladesh from France in 2017 as I was an irregular migrant and did not have a legal work permit. My family was disappointed in me because I returned empty handed. I was almost on the edge of depression, but the Prottasha Project provided me a chance to reconcile with my family and assisted me with establishing a business venture. I am grateful to the Prottasha project for the much needed assistance in getting my life back on track. I am positive that the project will benefit many other returnees like me." -Shimul Halder
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"I am grateful for the counselling assistance that has helped me become more self-assured and confident. Furthermore, your (received under the Prottasha project) in-kind assistance has helped me in overcoming my financial difficulties. I am very grateful to the Prottasha project." - Rahim Mia
"I had no idea about the stipend that the Government gives to migrants' children until the school programme was held at my school. I have received a stipend from the Government that gives me hope and encouragement continue my education. Additionally, I know how to make informed migration decisions. I thank the Prottasha project for arranging the school programme and making students aware of safe migration." - Tamim Shaik.
Nuhu Islam, a Bangladeshi national from the Noakhali district, who had studied up to grade eight only, traveled to Italy in 2010. Like many other Bangladeshi migrants, Nuhu dreamt of going abroad for a better life. Nuhu paid a middleman 600,000 BDT (5,843 EUR) to travel to Italy. He was able to raise this money by borrowing from family and friends and selling his property. When he first arrived in Italy, he worked in any jobs he could find, and eventually worked as a storekeeper in a shop. He used to send as much money home as he could...
IOM, under the framework of Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants-Bangladesh (GLO.ACT-Bangladesh), organized a capacity building training on ‘Identification, Screening and Referral of Vulnerable Migrants’ from 24-25 January 2021 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 30 participants (12 females and 18 males) from...
Hasan Ali (26) returned from Austria in 2019 and was interviewed and accessed reintegration support from Prottasha Project.
Being the youngest amongst 12 brothers and sisters, it was tough for Ali to continue his education beyond the SSC examination. As Ali’s parents, Abul Hossen and Monoara Khatun, had to take care of 14 family members, he felt a tremendous pressure to become economically independent and support his parents. He realized that some people from his community who worked abroad, became economically better off.
A returnee from Europe, Murshid Alom (45), who had suffered from the fear of social stigma, sadness, anxiety, and other family conflicts, regained a new and normal life in his home country through psycho-social, economic and medical support provided under the Prottasha Project.
Sheick Faruk Ahmed, like many other young men in his community, finished primary school but couldn’t afford to attend high school. So, from the age of fourteen, he worked to support his family. But life wasn’t easy and because he lacked qualifications, he couldn’t secure well-paid, permanent jobs and ultimately struggled to earn enough to support those who relied on him.
In February 2020, Merry Chowdhury, a resident of Boalkhali in Chattogram district, travelled to India to seek medical treatment for an eye condition. While she was receiving treatment, India closed its borders to curb the spread of COVID-19. She joined millions of migrants across the world who were unable to travel home once borders closed and countries imposed nationwide lockdowns. Once stranded, vulnerable migrants, including women and girls, people with medical conditions, elderly people, are at a higher risk of abuse, exploitation and neglect. Merry remained in India with no support...