Nahid Sultana from Dhaka, Bangladesh had to leave her software development job at a private company to take care of her newborn baby two years ago. As a new mother, she had to spend most of her time at home, taking care of her child, and feared that she might never be able to restart her career, which had been her only source of income. Nahid’s dream was to continue to learn the latest software development skills while staying at home, but she was reluctant to enrol in expensive courses.

Through a joint initiative of COL and Better Future for Women, in Bangladesh, Nahid obtained an eLearning scholarship opportunity and learned new skills to stay relevant in the changing software development market.

“I have received certificates and now look forward to reaching out to my old employer and also to applying for new job opportunities,” she said. “I have regained my lost confidence to resume my career afresh.”

Dr Basheerhamad Shadrach, COL Adviser: Skills, noted: “At COL, we believe in enabling communities to regain their lost employment and livelihoods. This pilot effort in Bangladesh is also being replicated in Ghana, Kenya and Rwanda where similar evidence is emerging every day.”