The mothers in this slideshow are using land to achieve their dreams and grow a better future for themselves and their families.
As we pause to celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 8, share these photos with a mother who inspires you.
Bulbuli, West Bengal -- With the small plot of land that she received through a government distribution supported by Landesa, Bulbuli is able to grow nutritious food for her family.
Kajol and Rupali, West Bengal
-- Kajol is so proud of her daughter Rupali. Landesa’s Girls Project, in partnership with the government of West Bengal, taught Rupali about her rights to one day own and inherit land. Today, Rupali’s reaching out to other girls in her community to help them better understand and exercise their rights. The Girls Project aims to improve girls’ social and economic status, and thereby reduce their risk of dropping out of school or marrying early. Since the project’s launch in 2010, it has helped more than 40,000 girls learn about their land rights.
-- Kajol is so proud of her daughter Rupali. Landesa’s Girls Project, in partnership with the government of West Bengal, taught Rupali about her rights to one day own and inherit land. Today, Rupali’s reaching out to other girls in her community to help them better understand and exercise their rights. The Girls Project aims to improve girls’ social and economic status, and thereby reduce their risk of dropping out of school or marrying early. Since the project’s launch in 2010, it has helped more than 40,000 girls learn about their land rights.
Raila, Odisha
-- For Raila, a land title meant not only ownership of a piece of land on which she could build a home and grow a garden, but also the guarantee of an education for her two sons. The title certified her tribal status, which makes her sons eligible to attend school free of charge. She secured her land rights through a partnership between Landesa and the state government of Odisha.
-- For Raila, a land title meant not only ownership of a piece of land on which she could build a home and grow a garden, but also the guarantee of an education for her two sons. The title certified her tribal status, which makes her sons eligible to attend school free of charge. She secured her land rights through a partnership between Landesa and the state government of Odisha.
Anjura and Salma, West Bengal
-- Anjura helps her daughter, Salma, plan and develop a garden on a small plot of land on their homestead. The garden they grow will help fund Salma’s school fees and ensure her continued education. Anjura dreams of supporting Salma’s education until she graduates.
-- Anjura helps her daughter, Salma, plan and develop a garden on a small plot of land on their homestead. The garden they grow will help fund Salma’s school fees and ensure her continued education. Anjura dreams of supporting Salma’s education until she graduates.
Gangi, Odisha
-- As a young widow, Gangi struggled to care for her six children. She recently received title to a small plot of land through the Women’s Support Center program, a joint initiative of Landesa and the local government in Odisha, which links landless women with land and related services. She takes pride in owning land and can now provide for her children.
-- As a young widow, Gangi struggled to care for her six children. She recently received title to a small plot of land through the Women’s Support Center program, a joint initiative of Landesa and the local government in Odisha, which links landless women with land and related services. She takes pride in owning land and can now provide for her children.
Uma and Disha, West Bengal
-- Uma helps her daughter, Disha, garden. Through the Girls Project, Disha learned about her rights to have and inherit land, and received training on practical gardening skills. She sells the produce from her garden to supplement her family’s income.
-- Uma helps her daughter, Disha, garden. Through the Girls Project, Disha learned about her rights to have and inherit land, and received training on practical gardening skills. She sells the produce from her garden to supplement her family’s income.
Maleka and Moushumi, West Bengal
-- Maleka and her daughter, Moushumi, work together in their garden, growing vegetables that they can sell at market to earn extra income for the family.
-- Maleka and her daughter, Moushumi, work together in their garden, growing vegetables that they can sell at market to earn extra income for the family.
Hadi and Budha, Odisha
-- When Hadi gained secure rights to a small plot of land, the formerly landless mother gained security and opportunity. With the land title she received from the government in partnership with Landesa, she now has the residency certification necessary to ensure her son, Budha, is eligible to attend the local residential school free of charge.
-- When Hadi gained secure rights to a small plot of land, the formerly landless mother gained security and opportunity. With the land title she received from the government in partnership with Landesa, she now has the residency certification necessary to ensure her son, Budha, is eligible to attend the local residential school free of charge.
Ratna and Rita, West Bengal
-- As a single mother, Rita labored as a daily wage worker to provide for her children. But her life changed in 2010 when she received title to a plot of land through a partnership between Landesa and the state government. Rita and her daughter Ratna planted a kitchen garden on their small plot of land. The produce supplements the family diet and income. With growing self-confidence, Ratna is determined to finish school and become a teacher, and Rita is proud to support her.
-- As a single mother, Rita labored as a daily wage worker to provide for her children. But her life changed in 2010 when she received title to a plot of land through a partnership between Landesa and the state government. Rita and her daughter Ratna planted a kitchen garden on their small plot of land. The produce supplements the family diet and income. With growing self-confidence, Ratna is determined to finish school and become a teacher, and Rita is proud to support her.
Related resources
Strong Roots, Stronger Futures: Momtaz Rebuilds with Hope
Meet Momtaz Begum, a woman rebuilding hope in coastal Bangladesh by adapting her land and planting mangroves to protect her home from the rising tide of climate change.
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From Challenge to Change: A Journey to Secure Land Rights
After decades without secure shelter, Naima and her family in Bangladesh’s Sundarbans gained legal access to land through a government lease program after attending a training supported by Shushilan and Landesa. They are now building a permanent home and planting a garden—laying the groundwork for a more stable future.
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Restoring Dignity Through Land Rights: The Journey of Nyiramariza Gaudence
For a widow living with a disability, correcting her land boundaries was more than a technical process; it was a gateway to dignity, peace of mind, and community inclusion.
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