As told to Linda Espenshade


When MCC asked me to work with Pobitra, a program for former sex workers, I was not very happy. I had worked with MCC’s fisheries program and with HIV and AIDS awareness trainings but when I returned from maternity leave, I was asked to serve as coordinator of Pobitra.


I knew the women I would work with were tough. They come from tough backgrounds, broken backgrounds. They could be tough to supervise, so I would have lots of pressure. I worried if I could manage.


When I came, though, I saw the beauty and holiness inside of these women.


If I gave them some love, they gave me lots of love. If I gave in just a small way, they gave in big ways.


When I heard their stories, it hurt me. There is nobody who wants to do sex work. Many are essentially forced into it. They will be beaten or go without food, or they can do sex work. I could compare myself with them. I have a loving family that had resources to take care of me and a husband that also cares for me. How fortunate I am to be in this position. They are in that position of being a sex worker, but that could have been me.


Knowing this encouraged me to work, and the women inspired me.


When I teach them English and they respond, that is pleasing to me. We also test their literacy in Bangla, encouraging them to read newspapers and write. We take them many different places, to market, shopping, so they can communicate with other people. We give trainings about peace and about HIV and AIDS.


Each morning, we ask them how they slept, how they feel, whether they’ve had breakfast. We talk to them about their problems. At times, they cry and tell their stories about what happened to them the night before.


Sometimes there are lots of crises. There are problems in the community, with their families, with their husband. We have social support workers that we can send to the house. Sometimes the Pobitra women have problems with each other.


I have a master’s degree in fisheries. I began to work with MCC in 2005 supporting and advising farmers who want to raise fish. I also helped start MCC’s efforts to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. While I was doing that work, I learned about family conflict and finances, sexual abuse, sexual health, reproductive health. I visited other nongovernmental organizations that work with former sex workers to learn about their programs.


I love to work with the Pobitra women.


Time with them is very important to me — talking with them, sharing with them. When they share personal things, their problems, then I realize that is why I wanted to work with them, not as a supervisor but as a fellow worker.


I experienced a lot of love and care in my family. My mother was very kind. My father was very careful about us. When we were going to a friend’s house, he said, “There may be things in that house that are not good for you. Be careful and wherever you are, come back before night.” When I was at the university, my father told me I could choose a marriage partner. (Typically in Bangladesh, marriages are arranged by the parents.) They empowered me and helped me make decisions.


Family is very important to me. I am the oldest daughter, and I often check in on my two younger sisters.


My husband and I have two daughters. One is 4 years old and the other is 14 months old. My husband spends five days a week working in Dhaka, Bangladesh’s capital, and on weekends, he comes to stay with us in Mymensingh.


The women are my family now too. When I cook food for my children, I want the women to cook for their children. I admitted my daughter to school this year. I want the women to admit their children too. I chide them, “Why are you not taking your children to school?” Now that they are part of the program, many are taking their children to school.


My older daughter is learning compassion by watching me. Last year, there was a weaker participant. I encouraged her a lot. I looked after her carefully so she learned. My daughter noticed that I gave special time for that woman, and my daughter also took care of her.


Love and compassion is part of my Muslim faith; I am obliged to have love for others. As I am created, I have the responsibility to do something for the people.

Sultana Jahan, 34, is coordinator of Pobitra, an MCC training program for former sex workers in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, where some 90 percent of the population is Muslim, local MCC staff members come from Christian, Muslim and Hindu backgrounds. Linda Espenshade is MCC’s news coordinator.