Moriyam: Could I have a larger hoodie?
When winter clothes were being handed out at the Chalantika Education Centre in Dhaka, ten-year-old Moriyam quietly stepped out of line with an unusual request. Instead of choosing a size for herself, she politely asked if she could have a slightly larger hoodie.
One of the staff members smiled at her and asked gently: “Moriyam, why do you need a larger one?”
The girl lowered her eyes for a moment and then answered softly: “I already have some warm clothes. But my mother leaves for work very early in the morning and she gets cold. I would like her to have something warm to wear.”
To the centre staff, it was a seemingly simple moment — yet it revealed so much about Moriyam. Even at ten years old, she thinks of others first.
Life in Dhaka and family hardship
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. Her mother, Ashma, works long hours as a domestic helper. Their income is low and uncertain. Every day requires careful planning just to cover the family’s basic needs.
Before moving to Dhaka, they lived in a village in the Bhola district of southern Bangladesh. But finding steady work there became increasingly difficult. Hoping for a better future for their children, her parents made the hard decision to seek a new life in the city.
Growing at the Education Centre
In 2023, her mother Ashma learned about the Chalantika Education Centre, run by ADRA. She asked if her eldest daughter could enrol. Although space was limited, Moriyam was eventually accepted.
The beginning was not easy, however. Moriyam was often shy, easily discouraged, and struggled to keep up with other children her age. Sometimes she didn't come to the centre at all, fearing she wouldn't be able to cope.
Thanks to the patience of the staff and her mother's constant support, Moriyam gradually changed. She gained confidence, started attending regularly, and actively engaged in school activities. She even began helping out at the centre with small volunteer tasks — proud to be useful.
At home, she supports her younger sisters. She helps them study and shares her books and clothes with them. Her mother watches this with gratitude: “She is much more responsible now. She helps me at home, looks after her sisters, and thinks of others,” says Ashma.
Dreams and everyday acts of kindness
Moriyam has one big dream. “One day, I want to be a police officer,” she says softly but firmly.
When asked why, she answers without hesitation: “I want to help people who get lost find their way home. And if someone has something stolen, I want to find it and return it to its owner.”
Life in the slum remains challenging for the family. Yet it is small acts of kindness that shape Moriyam’s daily life — sharing, helping, and showing consideration for others. She is even already thinking of ways her family could earn a little extra income.
One day, when she wears the police uniform she dreams of, Moriyam will continue doing what she already does today — helping, protecting, and giving from the heart. Her story shows that when we create a safe space for children to learn, they can grow and thrive. And even more than that, they bring hope to others.
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Thanks to your gift, another child can get the chance to receive an education and a brighter future.
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