Mst. Sumaiya
(Karail Bowbazar, Dhaka)
Sumaiya lives with her family in constant financial hardship. She has two sisters and one brother. Her elder sister’s marriage has been fixed, but due to severe financial constraints, the family has been unable to arrange the wedding. To reduce daily expenses and save some money, her elder sister has been sent back to their village. The family originally lived in the village, but eight years ago, they moved to Dhaka in search of better income opportunities. Unfortunately, their situation has not improved, and they continue to struggle to meet their daily needs. Sumaiya’s father drives a rented rickshaw and earns around 400–500 taka per day, which is unstable and uncertain. Her mother previously worked as a domestic helper but is now unable to work because she has to take care of a young child at home. With only her father’s limited income, managing such a large family in Dhaka has become extremely difficult. In these circumstances, the education expenses of Sumaiya and her other sister have become a heavy burden for the family. Despite everything, the parents want their daughters to continue their studies. If Sumaiya receives a sponsorship, even partial support for her education would greatly ease the family’s struggle and help them continue the education of another child as well, bringing hope and relief during these difficult times.