Women Who Hope: Lily

Lily is the General Manager of Others in Bangladesh. For the last 25 years, Lily has played a pivotal role in shaping Others into the beacon of hope and empowerment it is today. As she prepares for retirement, she leaves a legacy of leading with compassion.

Before joining The Salvation Army, I volunteered in a brothel in Jashore for two years. I was shocked to see the girls in prostitution. I truly tell you that these girls were my inspiration. As we started to build the Others business, orders were increasing, as was the demand for natural products made from recycled materials. The ladies from the brothel in Jashore and sex workers from Dhaka were invited to make products like candle holders from natural materials.

While women are living in darkness, they don’t realise a candle of hope is on the other side of the world.

I never count my time, but I try to help people when they are in need. It’s an ongoing process. Women are struggling, fighting, every moment. I don’t know how people will remember me, but I will remember them and I salute them for their contribution to Others.