Lamiya Akter
(Mirpur 12 Slum, Dhaka)
Lamiya’s family is living under extremely difficult circumstances. Her mother suffered a stroke and is now paralyzed on one side of her body. Because of her condition, she is unable to work and needs ongoing care and medical treatment, which places a heavy financial and emotional burden on the family. Lamiya’s father struggles to support the household by taking on whatever work he can find. Sometimes he catches fish and sells them at the market, and at other times he works as a house painter. These jobs provide very little and irregular income. With this limited earning, it becomes extremely difficult to manage the educational expenses of Lamiya and her younger brother. The family also has another younger child, adding further responsibility. In addition to education and medical costs, Lamiya’s father must also cover house rent, daily household expenses, and debt in their village, which makes survival a constant struggle. With a sponsorship, Lamiya would at least receive the support she needs to continue her education. This help would ease some of the burden from her father’s shoulders and bring a small but meaningful sense of relief and hope to the family.