Ruby and Mizanur were in love when they got married. She was 15 years old, and he was 24, and she moved into his family’s house. But soon the reality of living with nine people and sharing a bedroom with others in a very small house brought tension in their relationship, especially when his job as a day laborer wasn’t enough for them to live on.

Things went from bad to worse when Ruby had a baby girl one year later. Mizanur became emotionally and physically abusive when she refused to ask her poor family for money. For months Ruby went back and forth from her parents’ home to her husband’s, trying unsuccessfully to avoid the abuse. 

"I was seeking options to do something for my family, and I joined a World Concern self-help group. There I got to know a member who sewed, and I thought, ‘If I can sew, I can earn money.’ But I had no money to buy a machine and to receive the training. Then, a few months later World Concern helped me with $174 USD for COVID assistance and that money was the key to the development of our family.” 

With the money, the couple began to lease some land and bought three goats. These reproduced and they were able to sell the offspring, giving Ruby enough money to buy a sewing machine and learn how to sew. This added to their income and Ruby and Mizanur were able to build their own home out of mud and their relationship improved.

Ruby and Mizanur believe that everyone needs someone or something to bring light to their life and because of someone like you, World Concern has done that for them. They are very happy with their life now and are helping others.

“Though I am not educated enough, I am learning from my experiences. I am giving sewing training to my neighborhood adolescents with a minimum fee so they will not suffer like me. And we will educate our daughter as much as possible,” Ruby said. 

Mizanur added, "Poverty destroys love and humanity. I have realized this truth in my life. Now we are happy, we can see dreams now.”