OUT OF THE SHADOWS

These beautiful portraits are of people who used to be hidden. In their communities in Bangladesh, as in many places across the world, negative attitudes towards disability can limit people from being able to achieve their potential.

Today, with support and training from Sightsavers and local partners and funding from the European Commission, many people with disabilities have been empowered to lead new lives.

"I WANT MY FUTURE To SHINE FROM THIS BUSINESS"

“I didn’t do anything before this. I couldn’t go outside my house. People used to insult me. I didn’t think I could do anything, I didn’t think I could stand on my own feet. Now I think I can - and I want to.

“Now I have a business. I want my future to shine from this business. It's given me a profit, and through that I can survive. I can live my life very well and support myself.

“It’s important to give people with disabilities opportunities. If this was available to others they could do what I do.” Ranu, co-owner of a food packaging business

"Now I can see a ray of hope"

“I was born blind, so I stayed at home. I didn’t do anything or go anywhere. I felt very depressed. Sometimes I thought ‘Why has God created me? There’s no point of living like this - it’s better to die’.

“People bullied and insulted me. I used to reply angrily and become rude. Now I tell them, ‘Yes we’re blind but we can still work - if you give us the opportunity we can do as well as you.’

“Once I joined the group I felt better. From that time I felt like living. Now I'm completely independent and I know I can do anything. If I hadn’t had this support, what else could I have done? Nothing. I would be staying at home doing nothing.

“People’s attitudes have been changed. They consider us as human beings like other people. Non-disabled people used to hate us. Now we work together. This is everything to me.” Juthika, business co-owner

"We organised a self-help group"

“When I became visually impaired I used to stay at home all day and listen to the radio. People came to my house from ABC (Sightsavers' partners), told me about opportunities and gave me a white cane.

"Then the ABC guy said, since you're a young guy and your voice is nice, I have an opportunity for you - community announcing about cataract surgery, which will help you earn some money. Then the guy told me I needed to do something for other people with disabilities. We organised a self-help group, identified who could do what, told everyone we’re planning to save for our future and started a savings group.” Moktar, self-help group leader and community announcer

"we need to empower and value ourselves"

“My parents weren’t aware that I could go to school as a visually impaired person. It was really very sad when I used to stay at home and couldn’t do any work.

“The main challenge is in families. Normally women with disabilities, especially girls, are not allowed to go outside. All women with disabilities will struggle and this needs to be sorted out.

"The training taught us that we need to empower and value ourselves so people will value us. If we don't empower ourselves no one will come to empower us.” Jahanara, self-help group leader

"i want other people with disabilities to live the life i am living now"

“I didn’t know anyone. I was unemployed. I couldn’t go anywhere, not even to my relatives’ house. We didn’t know anything - how to set up a business, how to communicate with people, how to deal with them. We didn’t have any idea.

“So many things have changed through getting this training. We get on with people, and we know so many things now. Before this we were isolated. We didn’t get on with the community because the community had a negative perceptions about us.

“We are doing very well nowadays. I want other people with disabilities to live the life I am living now.” Hanufa, co-owner of a thriving small business

"the training gave me a source of inspiration"

“I used to do nothing. I simply sat at home doing nothing. So I am doing this sewing to earn some money and support my family by selling these blankets. If I had the opportunity to do something better I would really be very happy to, but I don’t really get that much opportunity.

“When I had the training it gave me a source of inspiration and helped me to build my experience. I can now do the job very well. I know how many clothes I need to prepare, how much it will cost and the accounting.” Debi, seamstress

"NOW I CAN SEE A RAY OF HOPE"

“Four years ago I got a disability in an accident. I used to stay at home all day long. No one liked me because of my disability. It was a great disgrace for me. Once I got to know about the self-help group I participated in it.

“Now I can talk with many people and help with different issues. Now I can see a ray of hope, of living. Now everyone adores me and is affectionate and tries to respect me and I enjoy that.” Moselma, self-help group member

"We were deprived for a long time"

"Most people in the groups will tell you they used to sit at home alone all day, not believing they could do anything.

"Now, as well as liaising with government departments, they're running small businesses, proving the potential people with disabilities have if they're just exposed to opportunity. We were deprived for a long time." Bedon, self-help group leader

These stories show the incredible impact people with disabilities can have in contributing to the life and economy of their communities, when they're given the same chance to gain skills and support themselves as their peers. But for each of these success stories, there are countless other people who are still denied their rights to learn, earn and be happy.

We'll keep campaigning for their voices to be heard. Join us!