Vocational Training
Skills for Success| Opportunities for All | Transformed Lives
Jobs are very hard to find for the camp dwellers; discrimination diminishes their prospects greatly. For women, chances of finding employment are much less. They earn only a pittance, working as a maid in people’s homes. Doing arduous labor in factories in exchange for a few Takas is not an appealing option for them either.
These programs focus on teaching trade skills, technical knowledge, and hands-on training in areas such as tailoring, carpentry, computer skills, and more. By equipping participants with these essential skills, OBAT aims to enhance their ability to support themselves, their families, and their communities, fostering long-term self-sufficiency and economic independence.
At OBAT Helpers, we believe that access to education and skills development is a powerful tool for empowering individuals and transforming communities. Our Vocational Training programs are designed to provide marginalized and displaced individuals with practical skills that open doors to sustainable employment opportunities.
Our Goals
Empowerment
Helping individuals develop skills to improve their lives and contribute to their community.
Sustainability
Creating long-term opportunities for employment and self-sufficiency.
Community Development
Strengthening the local economy and supporting community growth.
Our Vocational Training Programs
IT Center
Sewing Center
Entrepreneurship
Livelihood Program
Skill Development
Cost Support
IT Center
With 11 centers across Dhaka, Rangpur, Chittagong, Khulna, Bogura, and Saidpur, OBAT trains 1,167 students (594 boys and 573 girls) in essential IT skills such as Microsoft Office, graphic design, and digital marketing. These centers are equipped with modern facilities, including computer labs and internet access, fostering employability and entrepreneurship. The initiative, with an annual budget of $32,418, has reached over 10,000 students, enabling many to secure jobs or work as freelancers, contributing to community development.
Sewing Program
OBAT’s first sewing program began in November 2011 at Bansbari camp, in Syedpur. Many of the graduates from the Syedpur sewing center and the sewing center at Khulna, are now spreading their wings and looking for ways to sell the clothes they stitch, in local markets. They also stitch uniforms for OBAT’s schools’ students. In 2023 our sewing centers have empowered 369 women in 6 cities of Bangladesh.
Entrepreneurship Program
OBAT’s Entrepreneuship program was mainly designed for women entrepreneurs who were offered micro loans ranging from $100 to $1,000. Extensive training before and during the program was also provided to enable the borrowers to run their businesses and to teach them basic financial literacy. The women in the camps are illiterate and the only way to empower them is through education and micro finance. Instead of perpetuating their cycle of poverty by making them dependent on external assistance, OBAT’s program has made them self-sufficient.
Every skill learned today is a step toward a brighter, more independent tomorrow.
Your contribution will provide training and tools for individuals to build self-sufficient, sustainable futures.
Impact Stories
Reshma’s Journey: From Struggles to Success with OBAT Helpers
Reshma lives in Baitul Falah Camp, Khulna, with her two daughters. A few months ago, she lost her husband, which made life very difficult for her family. Both her daughters are scholarship students supported by OBAT Helpers. Her elder daughter, Rupa, is currently pursuing her honors degree and is an active volunteer with the OBAT Think Tank. The younger daughter, Neha, is enrolled in a diploma program.
Reshma’s husband used to work as a night guard, earning only 3,000–4,000 BDT per month. To help her family, Reshma made paper bags at home and sold them. Later, she worked in a fish company. But no matter how hard she worked, it wasn’t enough to take care of her family’s needs.
As her daughters grew older, expenses increased, and Reshma knew she had to do something more. She heard about a sewing course offered by OBAT Helpers and decided to join. In 2012, she completed their six-month training program. With her savings, she bought an old sewing machine and started taking small sewing jobs from home. To attract customers, she charged less than others, and soon, more and more people started coming to her.
As her business grew, Reshma realized the potential for a shop but lacked the resources to establish one. She approached OBAT Helpers for assistance, and Anwar Khan Sir visited her home to see her work. Impressed by her dedication and skills, OBAT provided everything needed to set up a tailoring shop for her. Today, Reshma runs her shop successfully, earning a stable income and securing a better future for her family. Her journey from struggling to make ends meet to becoming a self-reliant entrepreneur is a testament to her resilience and the support of OBAT Helpers.
Success Story of Yasmin Akter
Yasmin Akter, 27 years old. She lives in Kasharbill of Rajapalong Union. Family of 4 members including 1 son, one daughter and husband. She is an ordinary housewife, lives an ordinary life with husband and children. From Rowsanara Akter, she came to know that under the Humanitarian Assistance Program of PRANTIC Unnayan Society to build a Women’s Association with the poor women of Kashiarbill in Rajapalong Union. After knowing this, she communicated other women in her area and formed a Women’s Association in her area. Yasmin Akter is a regular member of this Association. Among the members of the association formed with the cooperation of PRANTIC various types of assistance are provided vegetable cultivation, poultry, pigeon rearing, sewing and handicraft training.
Success Story of Mst. Sharmin Akter
Mst. Sharmin Akter is a housewife and a mother of one child. Her husband, name Md. Monjurul Alam. He is a school teacher. They live in a latifpur colony, Bogura. Sharmin was struggling to make ends meet and decided to learn sewing to earn some money. She enrolled in the OBAT sewing training center in bogura and was very active in her studies. After completing the course, she was given a sewing machine by the center. This has helped her to greatly improve her financial situation. Sharmin is now able to meet her basic needs and help her family. she is very grateful in the OBAT sewing training center for providing her with the opportunity to learn a new skill and improve her life. The OBAT sewing training center is a valuable resource for women like Mst. Nighat parvin.it provides them with the opportunity to learn a new skill and improve their lives. the center is making a position impact on the lives of many women in bogura and should be supported.
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