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.
In the heart of Dhaka, hidden behind towering buildings and busy traffic, lies a world many barely see – Korail slum, home to thousands of people whose lives are shaped by struggle, dignity, and unbroken courage. Among them lives Mahfuza, an elderly woman whose story reminds us how fragile life can be – and how powerful compassion truly is.
🔥 A Night That Changed Everything
The evening was like any other. Smoke from tea stalls drifted through the narrow lanes, children played with recycled toys, and people returned from long hours of labor. But within moments, everything changed.
A sudden fire spread through Korail, swallowing homes built with years of effort, savings, and dreams. Among the victims was Mahfuza, who watched helplessly as flames devoured her tiny room — the only place she could call home.
She lost every possession she owned: ✔ Her bedding ✔ Her utensils ✔ Her clothes ✔ Her savings – money earned from breaking bricks, saved taka by taka over months
But the loss was much deeper than material things. She said, “আমার কষ্টের টাকায় গড়া স্বপ্ন আগুনে পুড়ে গেল।” (My dreams, built from painful hard work, burned before my eyes.)
👵 A Life of Loneliness and Strength
Mahfuza has no one to look after her. No children. No relatives. No family support.
Every day she broke bricks under the open sky – a physically demanding job even for a younger person. Yet she endured it quietly, saving a little money for her survival.
That small savings, her only security, also turned to ashes.
Still, when we met her after the fire, she wasn’t crying for herself. She was worried about others around her who also lost everything.
This is the strength of people society often overlooks.
🤝 Alingan Foundation Stands Beside Her
When we reached the fire site, we saw despair everywhere — but also humanity. People helping each other, sharing food, carrying water, comforting strangers.
Alingan Foundation stepped in to support Mahfuza and others like her, providing immediate essentials and emotional support.
But the truth is simple and painful:
They need more help. They need to rebuild their lives – brick by brick, hope by hope.
Support in any form can give dignity back to someone who lost everything… A bedsheet, a meal, a small donation, even a shared post – it all matters.
🌱 A Story That Calls Us to Act
When we share stories like Mahfuza’s, it is not just about tragedy – It is about awakening compassion in a world moving too fast to notice suffering.
Her story is a reminder that humanity still matters. That dignity is not a luxury. That even the smallest act of kindness can rebuild a broken world.
Let us stand beside people like Mahfuza – Not with pity, but with respect, empathy, and solidarity.
A massive fire recently broke out in the Karail slum in Dhaka, destroying over 2,000 homes in just minutes. Families already struggling with poverty suddenly lost everything. Among these families is Shahida, a mother of a disabled daughter, whose heartbreaking story reflects the silent suffering of thousands.
🔥 The Night of the Fire: When Life Turned Into Ashes
It was early evening when flames erupted unexpectedly in the slum. Within moments, strong winds pushed the fire across rows of homes, leaving people no time to save their belongings.
Shahida had only one instinct — “Save my daughter first.”
Amid chaos, crying children, and collapsing tin homes, she carried her disabled daughter to safety. She couldn’t save a single item from her home.
The fire stole everything — except her hope to protect her child.
🔥 Aftermath: Life on a Pile of Ashes
When the flames finally stopped, the sight was unimaginable. Blackened ruins. Burned utensils. Piles of melted belongings. Families searching desperately for anything salvageable.
Shahida’s family lost:
Their house
Clothing
Everyday essentials
Food
Savings
Documents
Medicines
For a day-laborer family living in extreme poverty, this loss is not just physical — it pushes them to the edge of survival.
🔥 Raising a Disabled Child: Pain That Doubles in Crisis
Taking care of a disabled child in a slum environment is incredibly difficult. After the fire, everything became harder:
No stable shelter
No safe place for the child
No bed or mattress
No cooking tools
No privacy
Increased emotional stress
Shahida now carries the burden of rebuilding while ensuring constant care for her daughter — a task that feels impossible without support.
🔥 A Mother’s Strength: Hope Against All Odds
Even after losing everything, Shahida refuses to give up.
She says: “I have to stay strong for my daughter. As long as she is alive, I cannot break.”
Her resilience is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, love and hope still survive.
🎬 To understand her struggle fully, watch the full documentary story here:
💛 How We Can Help
Tragedies like this require collective support. You can help in many meaningful ways:
Share their story
Provide clothing or daily essentials
Offer food, water, or medicine
Help temporary shelter efforts
Support NGOs working on the ground
Spread awareness about the victims’ needs
Even small acts of kindness can bring light back into a broken life.
As the year comes to a close, the Alingan Foundation family extends warm wishes to our incredible community! 🌈✨ Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your loved ones!
🎁 This festive season, we celebrate the spirit of giving, kindness, and hope that binds us together. Your support has been the heartbeat of our initiatives, and we’re grateful for the positive impact we’ve created together.
🎊 As we usher in the New Year, may it bring joy, fulfillment, and new opportunities for growth. Here’s to another year of making a difference and fostering a community where compassion knows no bounds.
Thank you for being the driving force behind Alingan Foundation’s mission. Wishing you a holiday season filled with warmth, love, and moments to cherish!
Cheers to a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🥳🌟
Alingan Foundation hosted a delightful pizza event for children, generously organized by the foundation’s founder, Palash Roy, as a special treat for his birthday. The festivities took place at Domino’s Pizza in Banani, turning the venue into a haven of joy and laughter.
The aroma of freshly baked pizzas wafted through the air, setting the stage for a mouthwatering experience. Domino’s Pizza, Banani, served as the perfect backdrop, offering a delightful array of pizza varieties that catered to the diverse tastes of the young guests.
As the children savored each delicious slice, the joy on their faces spoke volumes. Laughter echoed in the restaurant, accompanied by animated conversations and a sense of camaraderie that epitomized the spirit of the Alingan Foundation.
The event not only celebrated Palash Roy’s birthday but also emphasized the importance of bringing happiness to the lives of underprivileged children. Alingan Foundation continues to be a beacon of hope, and events like these further highlight its commitment to making a positive impact on the community.
In the end, the smiles on the faces of the children reflected the success of the pizza party, marking it as a memorable occasion. The Alingan Foundation, under the thoughtful leadership of Palash Roy, continues to spread joy and warmth, leaving a lasting impression on the hearts of those it touches.
Asiya Akter is a child from a poor family. She had to drop out from school due to their poor financial situation, and she was forced to do housework to earn money. Then the Alingan Foundation came to stand by her side. Through the Alingan Foundation, Detlef Schultze took responsibility for her education and we saved her from child labour and re-enrolled her in school. Several years have passed since then. Asiya has now passed secondary school, and, as a reward for this success, Detlef extended his support for two more years. Following that, the Alingan Foundation admitted her into college & bought her the necessities for study. Asiya said ” I will be grateful to Detlef Schultze & the Alingan Foundation for the rest of my life”. ‘under the safe guarding policy to protect the child’s name, either the name or the picture, or both have been changed ‘ AlinganFoumdation💝
