Gouri Halder
(Mohakhali Sattala Slum, Dhaka)
Gouri is a bright student in Class 7 at Mohakhali Model High School. Unlike many of her classmates, she cannot afford private tutoring, which has become almost essential for students of her age. In fact, her family struggles to manage even the basic school fees, and she currently has three months of unpaid tuition pending. The school continues to put pressure on her parents to clear these dues, which has become a heavy source of worry. Her father works as a carpenter, but the nature of his job is irregular, some months he manages to earn around 15,000 taka, while in other months it is far less. After paying house rent, there is hardly enough left to cover daily living expenses, especially with three children to raise. Gouri’s younger brother is only one and a half years old and requires constant care, which prevents her mother from seeking work outside the home. With all the responsibility falling on her father, the family often finds it impossible to balance education costs with household needs. Despite these challenges, Gouri remains eager to continue her studies and dreams of getting the same opportunities as her peers. A sponsorship would allow her to stay in school without fear of being sent away for unpaid fees. It would also give her the chance to access private tuition, helping her reach her full potential, while easing the burden on her struggling family.