Around 5,000 ultra poor women in the districts have been benefited by the project styled "Challenging the Frontiers of Poverty Reduction : Targeting the Ultra Poor" (CFPR-TUP), launched in 2002.

The ultra poor are selected and provided with cash grants, not loans.

Along with grants, necessary support is given on seven heads like cow and goat rearing, poultry, vegetable cultivation, nursery and small-scale business. The women themselves choose their occupation.

Moreover, if any recipient fails for the first time or faces loss due to accident, BRAC gives support for the second venture.

They no longer have to work at others' houses for bread. They have become self-reliant, which has upgraded their socio-economic status.

This has encouraged government officials, local body members and civil society leaders in the areas. Whenever a BRAC-enlisted ultra poor woman in project area face any difficulty, government officials extend their helping hand immediately.

Civil society leaders say determination of the beneficiaries, hard work of BRAC field staff and sincere support of Gram Shahayak Committees and local government members have made the ultra poor women self-reliant and solvent.

Whenever the beneficiaries face any difficulty with their livestock or crops, government veterinary doctors and field level agriculture officials are always ready to offer any kind of service they need. Their services are vital because, for example, vaccination for livestock is supplied only by the Livestock Department.

"I am quite hopeful about the CFPR-TUP project", said veterinarian Deepak Ranjan Roy.

"This is why our field staff monitor their activities regularly. Sometimes vets treat domestic animals without any diagnosis and in many cases those die. But we are very much cautious that this does not happen with the ultra poor".

To avoid such incidents, BRAC has distributed ID cards among the beneficiaries so that they can be identified and their livestock properly treated.

Livestock Officer Abdur Rahman at Gangachara upzilla in Rangpur said, "The initiative is certainly great. Therefore, our field staff are working with the ultra poor women very sincerely."

The beneficiaries also appreciate the assistance with great appreciation. "Whenever called, he (Abdur Rahman) responds immediately and cures our animals", said one woman.

Agriculture official Abdur Sabur in Gangachara upazila said his block supervisors (field level staff) take utmost care if any of the women reports any problem regarding vegetable cultivation.

Local hospitals are also sympathetic. Ultra poor women with BRAC identity cards get free health care service and medicine at all health centres in eight upazilas of Rangpur. Doctors treat them with more attention and care.

Dr M Mohaddes, Civil Surgeon of Rangpur, said the programme has already contributed to poverty alleviation.

Soru Begum of Halhalia village under Domar upazila in Nilphamari had been suffering from eye disease for long. Dr Mizanur Rahman of BRAC health centre referred her to Syedpur Rotary Eye Hospital, where Dr Shariful Islam operated upon her eyes.

Saru Begum said, "I am very grateful to the hospital staff, because they have given back my eyesight."

Dr Shariful said, "We take extra care for ultra poor people because they can not afford to buy medicines."

Local government officials said BRAC field staff are always alert that the ultra poor are never deprived of service by government agencies. The beneficiaries have also become conscious about government services.