To ensure the long-term sustainability of our community-supported health programs in Khoriapara, the Sontolon Foundation has established a mini-garments industry within the new Community Complex. This initiative was born out of the recognition that health projects in low-income areas cannot rely indefinitely on external funding. Instead, they must build local capacity to generate steady income and employment — creating a self-sustaining cycle of health and livelihood.
The mini-garments floor occupies about 830 square feet of the building and is operated by women from the Khoriapara community who completed sewing and tailoring training through UCEP Rajshahi, under an agreement with the Foundation’s community health and inclusion committees. The training ensures that participants gain both practical skills and financial literacy, preparing them to manage small-scale production and cooperative earnings.
The garments unit focuses on producing basic ready-made clothing such as school uniforms, women’s wear, and household textiles for nearby local markets. The earnings from production are reinvested in two key areas:
1. Health program support — covering recurring costs such as medications, internet access for remote monitoring, health worker stipends, and essential supplies.
2. Worker income and community reinvestment — providing fair wages and shared savings for future micro-enterprise expansion.
By linking a livelihood project with a healthcare initiative, the Foundation aims to create a financially self-reliant model where profits from local industry gradually offset medical program expenses. This approach not only sustains hypertension and diabetes care but also empowers women, strengthens local governance, and fosters community ownership of both health and economic development.
In time, the mini-garments industry is expected to serve as a model for other rural communities — demonstrating how small, community-driven enterprises can support ongoing healthcare operations while promoting dignity, equity, and resilience.
