The Japanese government has provided financial assistance to poor indigenous people in northeast Bangladesh to help eliminate poverty and promote self-reliance.

Some 70 Catholics and 20 non-Christians from the Garo, Hajong and Koach communities in Dhobaura, near Mymensingh, each received 20,000 taka (US$287) through Bangladesh’s Ministry of Cooperatives recently.

Minister for Cultural Affairs Promod Mankhin, a Garo Catholic, distributed the cash.

“The welfare of indigenous people deeply concerns the government. That’s why we’re able to receive funds from Japan to help improve their socio-economic conditions,” said Mankhin, who is also the local Member of Parliament.

“You can’t call yourself deprived anymore because you’ve received support from the government and donors. If you properly utilize the money to change your lives, both the government and donors will be happy,” said Mankhin.

Recipients of the money were chosen by local cooperative officials and by the Tribal Welfare Association, a rights forum of ethnic indigenous groups.

Many of the beneficiaries told ucanews.com how the cash would change their lives.

“I’m a day laborer and have to work rain or shine to feed my family. If I can’t work, my family starves,” said Lochina Snal, 35, a Catholic Garo.

“With this money I can cultivate crops and rear livestock at home. Hopefully, it will also change our luck.”

Merun Rongkheng, 39, is another Catholic day laborer.

“My family is so poor I sometimes feel death is preferable to this miserable life. We often starve because we had no money to buy food,” he said.

“I never dreamt I would be so fortunate. I will buy two cows and try to change my family’s fortunes with them. I’m looking for a solvent and peaceful family life,” he said.

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