Today, we celebrate the birthday of Michael Runnalls (Mike), a remarkable individual whose compassion and generosity have transformed the lives of many underprivileged children in Korail. Through his unwavering support for the Alingan Foundation, Mike has provided education, nourishment, and opportunities that these children would otherwise never have.
His dedication reminds us that even small acts of kindness can create lasting impacts. On this special day, we honor Michael not only for his birthday but for the countless smiles and hope he has brought into the lives of so many.
Happy Birthday, Mike! Your heart for humanity continues to inspire us all.
Today, we are thrilled to celebrate the birthday of one of our most dedicated supporters, Marc Van Uytfanghe! 🎉
Marc has been a true pillar for the students of the Alingan Foundation. Through his generous support, our students receive everything they need for their education-from books and supplies to guidance and encouragement. His commitment to empowering young minds is truly inspiring.
On your special day, Marc, we wish you endless happiness, love, and countless memorable moments. Thank you for standing by our students and helping them build a brighter future. Your dedication is making a real difference in their lives!
Let’s all join in wishing Marc a very Happy Birthday! 🥳
Fatema Akter Hira Moni, a bright 15-year-old student in class 6, is facing a life-threatening challenge. She has been diagnosed with a brain tumor and urgently needs advanced medical treatment, which is beyond her family’s financial capacity.
Fatema comes from a family of 4 sisters and 1 brother. Among her siblings, 2 sisters are married, while the other 2 are still studying. Her father is suffering from a chronic illness and is unable to work. Consequently, the family depends solely on her mother’s income, which is only 15,000 BDT per month.
Due to her illness, Fatema has been unable to attend school for over six months. Despite receiving treatment at various government medical facilities, she has not recovered. Doctors have emphasized that she requires advanced medical care for a chance at recovery.
Fatema’s dream is to become a doctor, but her current circumstances have put a huge gap between her dreams and reality. With proper medical treatment and support, she has a chance to recover, continue her education, and pursue her dream.
We are appealing to kind-hearted individuals, organizations, and donors to extend their help and support. Your contribution can make a life-saving difference in Fatema’s life and give her hope for a healthier, brighter future.
Support Fatema today and help make a life-saving impact!
At Alingan Foundation, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, dream, and grow — regardless of where they are born. Through education sponsorship and documentary storytelling, we work to amplify the voices of children living in underserved communities across Bangladesh. One of those voices belongs to Azmi Akter Alpona.
Born on 2 November 2011, Alpona lives with her family on Nurani Masjid Road in Korail Slum. Like many children growing up in densely populated informal settlements, her early life has been shaped by financial hardship. Yet within this environment, her determination stands out.
Alpona is currently studying in Class 4. She approaches her studies with seriousness and hope, understanding that education may be her strongest bridge toward a different future. Her schoolbooks are more than pages filled with lessons – they represent possibility.
Her mother, Mrs. Ruksana Begum, works as a home-based worker and carries the responsibility of being the sole earner in the family. Her father, Md Azizul Hoque, aged 50, previously worked in a hotel but currently does not have a job. With only one income sustaining the household, managing daily expenses is difficult. Rent, food, school costs – each demand careful balance.
For Alpona, the family’s financial struggle is not abstract. She sees her mother’s long hours and quiet sacrifices. She understands that continuing her education requires effort not only from herself but from her entire family. The pressure is real. The uncertainty is constant.
Yet she refuses to surrender her dream.
Alpona wants to become a doctor. Her aspiration is not based on prestige but on purpose. Growing up in a community where access to healthcare can be limited, she has seen how deeply illness can affect families. She hopes one day to serve people with compassion and skill, offering care where it is most needed.
The road to becoming a doctor is long and demanding, especially for a child facing financial instability. Still, Alpona studies with discipline. She nurtures her creativity through dancing and art – activities that allow her to express joy even amid challenges. These talents reveal her vibrant spirit and emotional resilience.
Her story reflects a larger truth: potential exists everywhere, but opportunity does not. Children like Alpona carry dreams that deserve protection and support. With the right guidance and sponsorship, those dreams can grow into real impact.
Alingan Foundation shares her story not to evoke pity, but to highlight dignity, courage, and the transformative power of education.
You can watch Alpona’s full story here:
If you would like to stand beside her and support children in similar circumstances, please consider donating: Donate Here
Together, we can help turn determination into achievement and ensure that a child’s dream is not limited by financial hardship.
What happens when children who grow up in narrow urban settlements get the opportunity to see their country from a wider lens?
For many underprivileged children, life is often confined within a few streets, familiar faces, and daily survival routines. Opportunities to explore, observe, and learn beyond textbooks are rare. This study tour was not simply a day outside-it was a doorway to awareness, dignity, and possibility.
The Journey Begins: Learning Through the Bus Window
The day started with a simple bus ride through the busy streets of Dhaka. But for the children, it was much more than transportation. Sitting by the windows, they observed traffic signals, tall buildings, roadside vendors, offices, and people rushing through their daily lives.
The road itself became a classroom.As the bus moved from one location to another, curiosity grew. Questions emerged naturally-about the city, about work, about how everything connects. Exposure, even through a window, began reshaping how they viewed their surroundings.
Discovering Identity at the National Museum
At the National Museum, Bangladesh unfolded before their eyes.They encountered representations of rivers, hills, forests, oceans, wildlife, and rural life. Exhibits depicting farmers cultivating land, fishermen casting nets, traditional markets, boats, tools, and cultural artifacts showed them a deeper reality of their nation.
They saw the Sundarbans ecosystem, native flowers, birds, elephants, and the powerful symbol of the hilsa fish. Each gallery introduced a new layer of identity.
For children who rarely travel beyond their communities, seeing the vastness of their country in one place built a sense of belonging. They were not separate from this history—they were part of it.
Nature, Rest, and Reflection
Later, the group visited Ramna Park. The open greenery, birds in flight, and the playful sight of a squirrel brought visible joy. Nature offered them breathing space.
By evening, at Suhrawardy Udyan, the energy softened. Tired feet rested, but minds remained active. Moving from one place to another throughout the day, the children experienced not only physical travel but mental expansion.
More Than a Tour – A Lesson in Dignity
This initiative was never about charity.
It was about access.
Access to knowledge. Access to exposure. Access to national identity.
Children from disadvantaged backgrounds deserve the same opportunity to see, learn, and imagine a bigger future. A single day of meaningful exposure can plant seeds of confidence and aspiration that last a lifetime.
When society invests in educational exposure for underprivileged children, it strengthens not only individuals but the nation itself.
Why Educational Exposure Matters for Slum Children
Research consistently shows that experiential learning strengthens cognitive development, curiosity, and long-term ambition. For children growing up in poverty, real-world exposure is critical to breaking psychological barriers.
Seeing museums, parks, and national heritage sites reinforces:
A sense of belonging
Cultural identity
Social awareness
Motivation for education
Confidence in dreaming bigger
To fully understand the emotional depth and real-life impact of this journey, watch the complete documentary here:
If stories like this inspire you, consider sharing the documentary and supporting initiatives that expand educational opportunities for underprivileged children in Bangladesh. Awareness is the first step toward building a more inclusive society where every child has the chance to learn beyond limits.
In the middle of Dhaka’s crowded urban landscape, where life moves fast and survival is a daily challenge, lives an elderly woman whose story remains largely invisible. Her name is Karimun Nesa, and she is over 80 years old, living in Korail slum, one of the largest informal settlements in Bangladesh.
Old age is meant to be a time of care, rest, and family support. For Karimun Nesa, however, it has become a period marked by hardship and neglect. She has no husband to depend on. Although she has a son, he does not take responsibility for her care. As her physical strength declines with age, she is left to face life alone, without emotional or financial support from her own family.
With no stable income and no dependable caregiver, Karimun Nesa survives by relying on the kindness of others. She often has no option but to ask people for help to manage basic needs such as food, daily necessities, and medical support. Each day becomes a struggle to survive with dignity. Her situation reflects the reality of many elderly individuals living in urban poverty across Bangladesh.
Beyond her own suffering, Karimun Nesa carries the emotional burden of her granddaughter’s lost education. She once managed to enroll her granddaughter in school, holding onto the hope that education could break the cycle of poverty. Unfortunately, due to severe financial hardship, she could not continue paying school fees or cover study-related expenses. As a result, the child has now stopped going to school, adding another painful chapter to an already difficult life.
This story is not only about poverty. It highlights elderly neglect, broken family responsibility, and the fragile state of child education among the poor. Karimun Nesa’s life raises urgent questions about how society treats aging parents and how easily a child’s future can be disrupted when financial support disappears.
Her story represents countless elderly people living quietly in slums, carrying their struggles without recognition. True progress cannot exist if the most vulnerable members of society are left behind.
To understand her situation more deeply, you can watch the full documentary video here:
For those who wish to support Karimun Nesa and others facing similar hardship, a donation option is available through Alingan’s official platform: 👉 https://alingan.org/en/donation
Awareness, empathy, and responsible action are essential if dignity is to be preserved at every stage of life.
In the bustling city of Dhaka, amidst crowded streets and struggling families, live two sisters whose dreams shine despite overwhelming challenges. Saima and Sumaiya are young girls trying to navigate childhood under circumstances that would test the resilience of anyone. Sumaiya is in class six, while Saima studies in class three. Their father works as a daily laborer, but a severe leg injury has left him unable to work properly, pushing the family into a dire financial situation.
Struggling Against Poverty
Their family is burdened with debt exceeding 3 lakh taka, caused by medical expenses for both their youngest sibling and their father. Every day is a struggle between surviving and keeping their education alive. While many children their age are carefree, Saima and Sumaiya face responsibilities far beyond their years. Despite these hardships, both sisters hold onto their education with hope and determination.
Dreams That Refuse to Fade
Even in poverty, dreams refuse to die. Sumaiya aspires to become a police officer, believing she can make a difference in society and protect others. Saima, on the other hand, dreams of becoming a doctor, aiming to serve humanity and help those in need. Their ambitions reflect a rare combination of courage, empathy, and resilience, showing how hope can flourish even in the harshest conditions.
Medical Needs and Urgent Help
Sadly, Sumaiya’s younger sister still needs urgent medical care, but the family’s financial constraints prevent proper treatment. This situation highlights the critical issue of access to healthcare for underprivileged families in Bangladesh. The emotional toll of witnessing a loved one in pain while being powerless to help is immense, especially for children.
How You Can Make a Difference
You can help Saima, Sumaiya, and their family get the support they desperately need. Even a small contribution can bring them closer to proper medical care and help secure their education. Donate directly here: Support Saima & Sumaiya’s Family.
Every act of kindness counts. By donating, you not only give hope to these sisters but also support countless other children living in poverty. Together, we can change lives.
Watch Their Story
To truly understand their struggle and resilience, watch their full documentary on YouTube:
Witness their journey, their dreams, and their unwavering hope. Sharing this video can also help raise awareness and inspire action.
Lessons from Their Story
The story of Saima and Sumaiya teaches us about resilience, hope, and the power of dreams. It also calls attention to the pressing need for social support systems, affordable healthcare, and educational opportunities for children from low-income families. Their journey is not just theirs alone-it reflects the struggles of countless families living on the edge in Dhaka and across the world.
Stories like Saima and Sumaiya’s deserve to be shared. Spread awareness by sharing this blog, supporting child education and healthcare initiatives, and contributing to their journey through donations. Every small step makes a difference and gives hope to children like them.
What happens when old age arrives, but care and companionship never do? In the heart of Dhaka’s Karail slum lives Karimon, a woman over ninety years old, quietly facing a reality that many prefer not to acknowledge. Her story reflects a painful truth about aging in poverty-where time slows the body, but the world moves on without looking back.
Karimon has children of her own, yet in this fragile stage of life, none remain beside her. As her strength fades, daily survival depends on the kindness of neighbors. Simple tasks such as eating, walking, or resting are no longer possible without help. Among those around her, one man has become her greatest support. Though not related by blood, she calls him her son. Through this bond, we see that humanity often steps in where family responsibility fails.
Life in urban slums strips people of comfort and security, but for elderly women, it also takes away visibility. Aging voices grow softer, needs remain unmet, and loneliness deepens. Poverty intensifies this isolation, leaving older individuals dependent on informal compassion rather than structured care or social protection.
We documented Karimon’s life to ensure her story is not lost in silence. You can watch her story here:
This film is not meant to shock or accuse. It is meant to remind us that dignity does not disappear with age, and that resilience often survives even in abandonment. Karimon’s quiet strength challenges us to rethink responsibility-not only as families, but as a society.
If this story moved you, please pause for a moment and ask yourself: What would life feel like at ninety, with no one to depend on? Some people wish to help but do not know how. If you feel connected to Karimon’s story and want to support her or others like her, your kindness can make a real difference.
