Abdullah Al-Alif
(Mirpur 12 Slum, Dhaka)
Alif comes from a family where daily life depends on uncertainty. His father is a mason whose work is not regular. Some days he finds work, and other days he returns home empty-handed. With this unstable income, meeting the family’s basic needs has always been difficult. Alif’s mother was unable to work for a long time because of his younger sister. As the family’s expenses grew, they were forced to make a painful decision: Alif’s elder sister had to stop her studies so the family could survive. At present, Alif’s mother works as a domestic helper for a few hours each day, while the elder sister looks after the younger sister. However, the limited working hours mean the income remains very small. Covering food costs, house rent, and Alif’s education expenses with this amount is an everyday struggle for the family. Despite these hardships, Alif’s parents want him to continue his education and build a better future. With a sponsorship, some of the family’s burden would be lifted, allowing Alif to stay in school and giving his family some hope.