Moriyam’s Small Request
When winter clothes were being distributed at the Chalantika centre in Dhaka, ten-year-old Moriyam quietly stepped forward with an unusual request. Instead of choosing her own size, she politely asked if she could receive a slightly larger hoodie.
A staff member smiled and asked gently, “Why do you need a bigger one, Moriyam?”
She looked down for a moment before answering softly, “I already have some warm clothes. But my mother leaves for work very early when it’s cold. I want her to have something warm to wear.” For the centre staff, it was a simple gesture — yet it revealed so much about Moriyam’s heart. Even at just ten years old, she was already thinking first of others.
Life in Dhaka and Family Challenges
Moriyam lives with her parents and two younger sisters in a single small room in a crowded slum in Dhaka. Her father, Haron, sells vegetables at a nearby market, while her mother, Ashma Begum, works long hours as a domestic helper. Their income is small and unpredictable, and every day requires careful planning to cover even the most basic needs.
Before moving to Dhaka, the family lived in a village in Bhola district. Life there had become increasingly difficult, with few opportunities to earn a steady income. Hoping for a better future for their children, they made the difficult decision to start over in the city.
Growing Through the Chalantika Centre
In 2023, Ashma learned about the Chalantika centre supported by ADRA Bangladesh and asked if her eldest daughter could join. Although space was limited, Moriyam was eventually admitted.
The transition, however, was not easy. She often felt shy and discouraged, struggling to keep up with other children her age. Sometimes she even skipped the centre because she feared falling behind.
With patience, encouragement from the staff, and her mother’s constant support, Moriyam slowly began to change. She gained confidence, started attending regularly, and became more engaged in the activities. She even began helping with small voluntary tasks at the centre, proud to contribute in any way she could.
At home, she supports her younger sisters, guiding them through their lessons and sharing her books and clothes whenever possible. Her mother has seen the change firsthand:
“She has become more responsible,” Ashma says. “She helps at home, takes care of her sisters, and thinks about others.”
Dreams and Everyday Kindness
Moriyam also has a dream for the future. “One day I want to become a police officer,” she says with quiet determination.
When asked why, she doesn’t hesitate: “I want to help people who are lost find their way home. And if something is stolen, I want to return it to the right person.”
Life in the slum remains challenging for the family. Yet the small acts of kindness that shape Moriyam’s days — sharing, helping, thinking of others — reflect the lessons she has absorbed at the centre. Even now, she offers ideas on how her family might earn a little extra income.
One day, when she wears the police uniform she dreams of, Moriyam will continue doing what she already practices today: protecting, helping, and giving back to those around her. Her story shows that when children are given a safe place to learn and grow, they often become the ones who bring hope to others.
