Clara man (90) shines light on charity efforts to overcome poverty in Bangladesh

A 90-year-old charity supporter from Offaly is hanging a star made of sari fabric on his Christmas tree this festive season to raise awareness of efforts to help young women overcome extreme poverty in Bangladesh.

Robert Gyles’ homemade ‘sari-star’ is representative of some of the products made by entrepreneurial young women in Bangladesh, supported by Christian Aid and its local partner, to boost both their income and social status.

Robert, who has four daughters and two grandchildren, lives in Clara and attends St Brigid's Church of Ireland where he was the organist for more than 60 years.

When Robert celebrated his milestone 90th birthday in May, a special service was held in St Brigid’s Church to mark the occasion.

Robert didn’t want the service to focus on him so instead the rector, Rev Canon Isaac Delamere spoke about the work of Christian Aid, and a collection taken up during the service yielded almost €600 to support the charity’s work.

In Bangladesh, Christian Aid’s project focuses on Kurigram, a region in the north of the country beset by devastating annual flooding as well as high levels of extreme poverty and child marriage.

People in Kurigram rely on farming to survive but are being pushed further into poverty by the impact of the climate crisis as higher global temperatures bring heavier monsoon rains.

One of the young women supported by Christian Aid and its local partner is 21-year-old Kakoli Khatun who is reviving the centuries-old Bengali art of nakshi kantha, making embroidered quilts from old saris, and selling them online.

Christian Aid’s local partner, Aid Comilla, gave Kakoli the training, money and technology she needed to set up her business, using smart phones and internet hubs to sell her quilts online. Kakoli is now defying expectations by combining her successful new quilting business with studying for a degree at university.

Christian Aid’s support has enabled Aid Comilla to reach more than 5,800 women, helping them set up new businesses. These online businesses enable the young women to increase their confidence and social status, earn an income and break the cycle of early marriage.

Christian Aid Ireland Chief Executive Rosamond Bennett thanked Robert for raising awareness of the charity’s life-changing work in Bangladesh.

She said: “This winter, millions of people around the world face extreme poverty while also struggling with the worsening impacts of climate change. This project shows that young women have the power to break the cycle of poverty and early marriage, if only they have the chance.”

To support Christian Aid’s work, please visit https://www.christianaid.ie/appeals/seasonal-appeals/christmas-appeal