“I used to work in handicrafts before the birth of my second child, Moyna. My daughter was born severely disabled and I had no choice but to give up my job and look after her because there was no other way our family could provide her with the appropriate care. Life was difficult before Children’s Hope helped us. I was very down as I could not contribute money towards my families needs, and I was dependent on my husband’s low wages as a driver. I was even unable to spend quality time with my son. The respite care provided by Children’s Hope has renewed my life, allowing me to get back into work and be independent again.  Moyna is now 4 years old and thriving with the extra help and care provided. “ Nazma Begum

“My name is Amena. My son is a registered disabled child in Children’s Hope respite care. Now, because he gets this care, I can now go to work as a maid, cooking and cleaning, as I cannot rely on my husband’s earnings because he is ill with diabetes and a heart complaint.  Thanks to Children's Hope, not only does my son receive care and decent nutrition, it also gives me the opportunity to regain more control over what happens to my family by allowing me to save some money for my son and to send my other daughter to school. Respite care has changed all our lives.”

Joynab Bibi is the 40-year-old mother of a Children’s Hope student. In 2006, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer but could not afford the necessary and expensive radiotherapy treatment she needed. She received nearly US$400 (£326) under the Scheme for Life-Threatening Cases to pay for her treatment and also to give her regular access to a top gynaecologist for her follow-ups. The charity helped her as she battled the illness, which left her unable to care properly for her family and home. Fortunately, today she is well and free of cancer.

“I am Shamima Akter Lopa, a 17-year-old student in the second year, Intermediate level at BCSC College, the equivalent of Sixth Form. When I was a student of class 6, I became sponsored by Children’s Hope. Since primary school, I always dreamt of becoming a doctor but, as I was one of five children in a family with a low income, that dream was never going to happen, until I joined the Children’s Hope scheme. In addition to my educational help the charity supports my family, their medical treatments and also my nutritional needs. Children’s Hope plays a vital role in fulfilling my ambition as a doctor. “

“My name is Rehang Parvin. I became a sponsored child with Children’s Hope when I was just 12 years old as my stepmother could not afford my education fees, even though I wished to study more. The comprehensive support I received from Children’s Hope has allowed me to achieve academic success in both secondary and further education. Today I am completing a Masters in English Literature at a private University in Bangladesh. When I graduate I would like to train to be an English teacher because this is a subject most students with limited resources find difficult to learn. I believe any student who has the passion to learn and who receives the right support can master anything.”

“I am Amena Khatun. I am 21 and now in my second year studying for a degree in chemistry. Coming from a very poor family in the Bauniabandh slum in the Mirpur area of Dhaka city, with a younger brother and a sister, my parents could not afford to send us all to school. This opportunity was made possible by the Children’s Hope sponsorship scheme who offered financial assistance when I was 14-years-old at Kalshi school. My fate changed when Children’s Hope stepped in, now I can study as long as I want and become a doctor because Children’s Hope will bear all my educational expenses all the way. Thanks to the charity, I now have the privilege of studying in a school without worrying about paying fees.”

“Shortly before Habibur Rahman became a sponsored Children’s Hope student, he was diagnosed, aged 12,  with rheumatic fever. However he didn’t receive proper treatment and by the time he was 24 years-old, and a second-year university student, he developed difficulty in breathing. Then he consulted a Children’s Hope doctor (he was a sponsored child from 2002) who referred him to a consultant doctor, he was diagnosed with life-threatening rheumatic heart disease. Habibur had a three-month course of treatment at the National Institute of Cardiac Vascular Disease Hospital, but his condition didn’t improve – and surgery, by then, was the only option. He received over $3,000 (£2450) for full treatment from Children’s Hope and underwent open heart surgery. As his home in a slum was not a suitable place to recover from major surgery, he remained in hospital to recuperate. All the costs were funded by Children’s Hope. At present his condition is good, and he receives regular check-ups and medication. Thanks to the intervention, Habibur was able to graduate in management in 2012 and now runs a grocery business, which helps support him, his parents and four brothers who live with him in Dhaka.”

“My daughter is Sanjita, who is now 18-years-old. Her father is not alive. This care facility has been a wonderful help for me. Before, I had to leave Sanjita at home on her own because, as a single parent, I had to go to work at a doctor’s surgery as a support worker. All Sanjita was able to do was watch TV, she couldn’t make friends and felt incredibly lonely.  Of course I still have to work, but leaving Sanjita under respite care while I am at work means I worry less. Sanjita can chat with other children and makes friends. She is a lot happier.”