Lamia Akter
(Karail Bowbazar, Dhaka)
Lamia has been living with thalassemia, a serious blood disorder that requires her to receive blood transfusions every single month. Each month, the full procedure costs around 5,000 taka, which is an enormous burden for her family. Alongside these medical expenses, the family must also manage the education costs of Lamia and her younger brother, as well as house rent and daily food expenses. Managing all of this together has become overwhelming for her parents. Lamia’s mother works in a garment factory and carries most of the family’s financial responsibility. Her father drives a rickshaw, but his work is irregular; some days he can work, and other days he cannot, making his income unreliable. As a result, most of the household expenses fall on her mother alone. Lamia has an elder brother who works separately but does not contribute to the family expenses. Her middle brother has a low-paying job and tries his best to help, but his limited income allows him to provide only minimal support. Adding to their hardship, a recent fire in their slum caused significant damage and loss, pushing the family into an even deeper crisis. In this painful situation, a sponsorship for Lamia would be life-changing. It would help ease the heavy financial burden on her family, support her medical treatment and education, and give them hope and strength to continue fighting through these challenges.