On the cyclone-prone island of Bhola, Bangladesh, Abdur Rahim has become a beacon of hope for young people seeking a way out of poverty. As an entrepreneur at the Aminabad Union Digital Center, supported by the a2i Project-UNDP since 2010, Rahim witnessed firsthand the struggles of coastal communities facing climate vulnerability, unemployment, and limited economic opportunities.

To address these challenges, Rahim founded Swapnabeez, offering easy-term financial support to aspiring migrants, and later co-founded the Global Opportunity Network (Go Network), a limited company dedicated to promoting safe migration through skills development.

Under his leadership, a Skills Fusion Center was established, offering training in technical fields such as computing, driving, and language skills. The initiative also created a unique loan model: migrants receive funding upfront and repay it in manageable installments after securing jobs abroad. An Expatriate Help Desk at the Digital Center guides migrants through passport processing, police clearance, and travel documentation.

Between 2022 and 2025, 213 people received training, and 181 have already migrated safely—earning higher wages than unskilled workers and contributing significantly to national remittances. The effort has also spurred local entrepreneurship, empowered women financially, and helped families avoid exploitative loans and asset sales.

“As a resident of the coast, I have seen people’s constant struggle with nature and poverty,” says Rahim. “Through Go Network and Shopnobeez, 70 people are safely going abroad every year and sending back remittances. I am happy to be a companion in fulfilling the dreams of the people of this backward area.”

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