LocationsBeyond the Headlines
June 29, 2025
A small village in Parshuram, one of the flood-affected unions of Feni, encircled by the swelling waters of nearby rivers.
By Sarah Bintay Shakhawat
I had always seen development work from a distance in glossy reports, social media posts, or news headlines. The numbers were impressive, the success stories inspiring. But it always felt far away. I wondered what it looked like beyond the reports, what it felt like in real life.
Becoming a UN Volunteer with UNDP Bangladesh gave me that opportunity. It gave me the chance to step beyond the desk and into the heart of it all — to witness not just projects, but the people whose lives they touch.
My teammate, Joty Broto Basak Shanto, is also a UN Volunteer who visualizes these stories through his camera lens in photos and videos. As part of UNDP’s communications team, he’s had the opportunity to visit different parts of the country — from the hills of Chattogram to the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar. “Capturing these moments isn’t just work,” he often says. “It’s fulfilling. It reminds me why I chose to volunteer in the first place.”
Shanto and I, in a conversation with one of the beneficiaries at Fulgazi.
In early June 2025, both of us, along with two colleagues, travelled to Feni district. The area is still recovering from the flood in August 2024 — one of the worst climate-induced disasters to hit Bangladesh in recent years. Torrential rain, swollen rivers, and sudden floods devastated communities across 11 districts. Feni, cradled by rivers like the Silonia, Muhuri, Feni, and Kohua, was among the hardest hit. Even almost a year later, the signs were everywhere.
Over two days, we visited the unions of Chhagalnaiya, Parshuram, and Fulgazi to meet some of those families who were affected. It was raining when we arrived in Chhagalnaiya. The narrow village paths were slick with mud, puddles reflected grey skies, and the water still whispered reminders of last year’s disaster. But as we walked deeper into the community, we found something stronger than destruction — we found resilience.
Runa Akter — resilient, determined, and hopeful for a better future.
One story that stayed with me was that of Runa Akter. A 36-year-old mother of two, Runa invited us into her home — a new house, rebuilt with UNDP’s grant and guidance after the floodwaters swept the old one away. Her husband, Milon, used to be the only earner in the family, but the disaster had disrupted his work.
It was raining heavily when we arrived in the small village of Chhagalnaiya where Runa resided with her community. I sat with Runa in her humble abode listening to her in awe. With UNDP’s support, she and her family were able to get back on their feet. But her way of looking at her role in the family shifted profoundly. Being grateful to the gender-responsive training she received, Runa shared, “It wasn’t just about building walls,” she said. “It was about building our home, together.” She learned that shared responsibilities, communication, and emotional support within the family were just as important as any physical structure.
What moved me most was the quiet pride in her voice as she spoke about her daughter. “We thought marriage was the only option for her,” Runa told us. “But after the training, I realized she deserves more.” Now, her daughter is pursuing higher studies and receiving skills training. Runa herself has become a changemaker, encouraging others in her community to keep their daughters in school. Not long ago, families here were reluctant to let their girls step beyond the household. Today, they are their biggest cheerleaders- not just for education, but for professional development too. This community has crossed a crucial bridge, if not an ocean, towards women’s empowerment.
Shanto and I interviewing our local UNDP representative, who recalled the disastrous state of the communication network when they first arrived during the flood.
Listening to their story, seeing the quiet determination etched on their faces, I realised how different real development looks when you witness it up close. It’s not just statistics or projects on paper. It’s dignity. It’s agency. It’s hope finding a way to rebuild.
“Every story reminds me why I’m here as a volunteer,” Shanto, my fellow UN Volunteer shared while capturing the quiet strength of Runa, the muddy lanes, the cautious smiles of families rebuilding through his lens. “It’s not just about photos or videos — it’s about seeing how people fight back after losing everything,” he adds.
The A-Team leading the Feni visit — ready to uncover and share the stories that matter
For us, this was more than a field visit; it was a lesson in strength, humanity, and purpose. Because of the UNV platform, we had the chance to grow, to listen, and to witness change up close. As UN Volunteers, we are proud to be inspiration in action. If you’ve ever wondered whether you can make a difference — this is a good place to start.
It wasn’t just about rebuilding walls; it was about rebuilding our home together
Related
content
content
