Farzana Akter
(Mohakhali Sattala Slum, Dhaka)
Farzana is the eldest of three siblings and the only one who goes to school. Her parents, despite their struggles, have made the difficult choice to prioritize her education in the hope that she might one day change the future for their entire family. Her father works as a day laborer, taking whatever work he can find, while her mother works as a maid. But even that isn’t easy. Her mother suffers from pain in her hand, making daily chores difficult and painful. Still, she pushes through, determined to bring some relief to the family. They all live together in a small home, which also includes Farzana’s elderly grandparents. Both require care and attention due to their age and fragile health. It’s a heavy burden for a family with such limited means. Farzana’s parents can’t afford to send all their children to school, but they hold onto the hope that if Farzana can stay in school, she might one day lift them out of this cycle of hardship. She studies with quiet determination, knowing the weight of everyone’s dreams rests on her young shoulders. A sponsorship could be the helping hand they desperately need to keep Farzana in school, to ease some of the pressure on her parents, and to keep alive a family’s hope for a better future.