Fired by US aid cuts, driven by courage: A female driver steering through uncertainty

Lusy Kakoly Gomes has been behind the wheel for nearly two decades.

Her journey began at one of the country's leading non-profit organisations, where she worked for 19 years as a professional driver - a role still rare for women in the country.

Her career, marked by hard work and dedication, came to a halt earlier this year due to USAID funding cuts that led to the loss of her job.

"Since I was born, the way my family taught me everything from walking to talking, CARE took me in the same way and taught me everything," Kakoly Gomes said with quiet emotion.

Her story with CARE began with a six-month driving training programme, after which she was offered full-time employment. At the time, she was among the first Christian women to be trained and employed by the organisation.

"GM sir, told me they hadn't had any Christian drivers before, so they took me in despite their batch being full," she recalled.

But her long tenure came to an abrupt end when, during a staff get-together in Gazipur on 26 January this year, Kakoly Gomes and several of her colleagues learned that their positions were at risk due to financial constraints.

The final blow came in late February when her role, assigned just two months earlier to a USAID project, was terminated.

"This is what bad luck looks like, probably," she said with a bittersweet emotion.

Among the 7-8 drivers affected, Kakoly Gomes was the only woman.

Her responsibilities had ranged from maintaining vehicles to chauffeuring four foreign assistant directors and their families, including school runs and emergency duties.

She took pride in her role.

"From initial checks every morning to cleaning the car, keeping all the papers, and maintenance, I did everything," she said.

But the funding cuts to USAID - the United States Agency for International Development - have had far-reaching consequences.

According to recent reports, USAID's global funding reductions have led to downsizing and disruption in numerous developing countries, impacting essential services and employment across sectors.

For Kakoly Gomes, the impact was personal and immediate.

'Can't dwell on so many challenges'

"I'm the only breadwinner in my family and a single mother," she explained.

"My husband left long ago. I live with my two daughters, one is 11 and the other is 7. From their school fees to groceries, everything depends on me. This has affected us very badly."

In the wake of her job loss, Kakoly Gomes has taken bold steps to stay afloat.

With a small sum received from CARE, she started a modest clothing business and has taken up freelance driving assignments, mostly from the Australian embassy.

"I'm also looking for stable driving jobs," she added.

Kakoly Gomes's story is not just about economic loss but also the emotional toll of instability.

"Challenges are many," she said, "but I can't dwell on them. I have to take care of my daughters. Whatever came, it didn't break me."

She remains open to other opportunities, though driving remains her passion.

"I've done nothing but drive for 20 years," she said. "But I'm confident I can learn something new if given the chance."

When asked if she considered ride-sharing platforms like Uber or Pathao, she revealed, "I did think about it, maybe buying a car with the money I got. But as a woman without a husband or support system, I wasn't sure if it would be safe."

Despite her years in a male-dominated profession, Kakoly Gomes says she rarely faced direct discrimination. Still, there were occasional taunts from male drivers.

"They'd say, 'women are taking our jobs,' and I'd tell them, no one takes anyone's job. We all earn our place."

Her message for other women is powerful.

"Driving is just another profession. Gender doesn't matter. If anything, women are calmer and professional. They take their jobs seriously."

Kakoly Gomes's journey into driving was inspired by her brother, who was also a driver.

"He used to tease me, asking if I could carry a 15kg battery. I told him, of course I can!" she laughed. That encouragement eventually led her to CARE Bangladesh.

Today, Kakoly Gomes remains hopeful, sustained by her resilience and the love for her daughters.

While she has not received formal job placement support from her former organisation, she has been told they would reach out if opportunities arise.

In the broader picture, Kakoly's story reflects the vulnerabilities of aid-dependent employment in countries like Bangladesh, where funding shifts from global donors can uproot lives in a heartbeat. But it also shines a light on the courage and determination of women who refuse to be sidelined.

"We are professionals. We care. And we are here to stay," Kakoly Gomes says.

Her voice is steady. Her grip on the steering wheel of life, firm.