Md. Shiam Islam
(Karail Bowbazar, Dhaka)
Siam’s family survives under very difficult circumstances. His father earns a living by renting and rowing a boat on the lake beside their slum. On days when he is able to get work, he earns around 500 taka. However, this work is not regular, as a boatman is rarely given the same boat for many consecutive days. Even so, Siam’s father makes every effort to secure work daily, knowing that without it, his family would have no way to survive. Siam’s mother suffers from asthma and heart disease, which prevent her from working. When her condition becomes severe, she takes medicine, but many times she has to go without treatment because the family cannot afford the cost of medication. Siam has a younger brother who is only five years old, and his elder sister is married and lives separately. Managing household expenses, food, medical needs, and Siam’s education on his father’s single and unstable income is an immense struggle. In this situation, a sponsorship for Siam would greatly ease the burden on his father. It would help cover Siam’s education costs and bring much-needed relief and stability to the entire family, giving them hope for a better future.