Inside the narrow, labyrinthine alleys of Korail Slum-Dhaka’s largest informal settlement-the summer heat turns low tin roofs into stifling ovens. In a cramped, dimly lit room near the Al-Madina Mosque, twenty-six-year-old Jahidul Islam lies motionless on a thin mattress on the floor.
Jahid cannot walk. He cannot feed himself, speak, or sit up without assistance. Born with severe, congenital physical and speech disabilities, his world has been confined to the perimeter of a bed and a floor for over a quarter of a century.
Beside him sits his younger brother, Maksudul Islam. At an age when young men strive to build a future for their own fledgling families, Maksudul carries a burden few could ever imagine: becoming the sole caregiver, voice, and lifeline for a brother the world has largely forgotten.
A Childhood Stolen by Loss and Adversity
Tragedy is not new to Jahid and Maksudul. Their father, who was also physically disabled and begged to survive, passed away years ago. In December 2016, their mother lost her prolonged battle with cancer, leaving the brothers orphaned in the unforgiving heart of the city.
In their darkest hour, their maternal aunt (Khala) stepped in. Supporting the family through a modest betel leaf (paan) stall in Motijheel, she took Jahid into her own home, bathing him, feeding him, and protecting him with maternal devotion.
For years, her sacrifice kept the brothers afloat. But recently, cruel fate struck once more.
Their aunt was diagnosed with advanced cancer—the exact illness that claimed their mother. Weakened and bedridden, she now spends her days shuttling between public hospital wards for treatment. With the only guardian incapacitated, the fragile sanctuary holding Jahid’s life together completely collapsed.
A Brother’s Ultimate Sacrifice
Hearing of his aunt’s critical illness, Maksudul immediately rushed back to Korail to take over his brother’s care.
Taking care of Jahid is an around-the-clock commitment. Because Jahid cannot speak, he cannot communicate when he is hungry, thirsty, or in pain. If left alone, he will remain unfed and untended for days. His stiffened limbs frequently contract into painful spasms that require daily manual massages, yet professional physiotherapy and medical care remain out of reach.
For Maksudul, who has a wife and a young son dependent on him, every single day presents an agonizing moral dilemma:
“If I go out to drive or earn a living, who feeds my brother? Who changes him? But if I stay inside this room to care for him, how will I pay for our rent, our food, and my child’s future?”
Because Jahid is completely incontinent and requires adult care, Maksudul cannot simply leave him with neighbors or expect his wife to manage the heavy physical burden alone.
Threat of Eviction: When Slum Realities Turn Cruel
Compounding their desperate situation is an immediate eviction notice. The dilapidated tin shanty where they currently live is scheduled for demolition and reconstruction.
In informal urban settlements, families with severely disabled members face deep-seated social stigma. Landlords are reluctant to rent rooms to someone in Jahid’s condition, fearing the mess and the burden. With no ancestral land, no permanent address, and no savings, the brothers face the terrifying prospect of homelessness on the streets of Dhaka.
Alingan’s Ground Visit: A Plea to Humanity
The team from Alingan Foundation recently visited Jahid and Maksudul’s tiny room, witnessing firsthand the reality of their quiet endurance. While emergency nourishment—including fortified milk powder—was delivered on the spot, temporary relief cannot solve a systemic humanitarian crisis.
Jahid does not just need food for today; he and his brother need a dignified, stable room, accessible hygiene facilities, continuous medical relief, and a sustainable livelihood solution that allows Maksudul to earn without leaving his disabled brother in danger.
Watch the Full Ground Report
Watch the complete documentary on YouTube to witness their lived reality and understand their story in full:
How You Can Help
No human being should have to suffer in silence simply because they were born without the ability to speak or walk. Your empathy and solidarity can secure a safe shelter, nutritious meals, and necessary healthcare for Jahid.
1. Official Donation Portal
Support verified humanitarian interventions through Alingan’s secure donation page:
👉 Donate Online: https://alingan.org/en/donation
2. Direct Support & Communication
To connect with the family directly or extend immediate local assistance:
- Direct Call / bKash (Personal): +880 1627-220910
(Location: Behind Al-Madina Mosque, Korail Slum, Dhaka)
A Concluding Reflection
Human dignity is not conditional. It belongs equally to those who walk the bustling avenues of Dhaka and those who lie unheard beneath corrugated tin roofs. By standing beside Jahid and Maksudul, you ensure that unconditional brotherly love does not end in tragedy.
Please share their story across your networks to help bring light into their darkest hours.
