Mahfuza Ahmed
Founded by Lamea in 2019, TransEnd, one of the 10 finalists in the fourth edition of Youth Co: Lab Bangladesh's Springboard Programme, co-created by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Citi Foundation, conducted a project under which they provided training on beautification and handicraft to 20 members of the transgender community envisioning to improve the livelihood of the transgender. Products that were made were showcased on TransEnd's Facebook and Instagram pages, where they sold out in a matter of three or four days. The profits made from the pilot project were given to Shantona Apa, a trans woman residing in Narayanganj, to help her start a small farm. TransEnd also encourages entrepreneurship for individuals not being able to secure a job or for elderly trans women who stepped away from education at the primary level. "Recently, in Khagan Birulia we helped five or six trans women to set up their parlour named Foara Beauty Parlour. The owner is Sohini Apa, a transwoman," said Lamea. At first, TransEnd conducted training with around 10 transgender women and now Foara Beauty parlour is a self-sustaining enterprise with an established volume of regular clients making rounds. Lamea happily shares, "Recently, during the Eid holidays, the parlour saw a rush of customers. The community has taken well to them and accepted their business." And this is just one example of the organisation's several accomplishments.
