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Alingan Foundation

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sharing the support, event and activities of the project.
Website: http://alingan.org/

The Heartbreaking Struggle of an 80-Year-Old Woman and anOrphan Child in Korail Slum

Support Posted by infoPosted on Tue, September 15, 2026 11:56:39

How does an eighty-year-old woman survive alone in one of the most crowded urban
settlements when her own children turn away from her? In the heart of Dhaka, the
Korail slum elderly struggle represents a stark, unvarnished reality of urban
poverty. Here, old age brings neither rest nor security, but rather a grueling,
day-to-day battle for basic existence.

At Alingan Dhaka, our documentary work aims to look beyond the surface of the
city’s glittering skylines and document the lives of those who live in the
shadows. This is the story of Ayesha Begum and little Sadya-a testament to human
endurance, quiet dignity, and the urgent need for collective humanitarian
responsibility.

Inside the Windowless Room: Ayesha Begum’s Daily Battle

Ayesha Begum is nearly eighty years old. In a phase of life where she should be
surrounded by care and comfort, she finds herself entirely on her own. With her
children unable or unwilling to support her, survival has become a daily
imposition.

Ayesha lives in a cramped, windowless tin-shed room tucked deep inside
Korail—one of Dhaka’s largest informal settlements. It is a space where natural
daylight cannot pierce through the corrugated iron walls. From cooking her own
meals on a rudimentary stove to managing her physical needs despite failing
health, Ayesha does everything independently. Every single day is an exercise in
survival against overwhelming odds.

An Unlikely Bond: Protecting Little Sadya

Ayesha’s story does not end with her own hardship; it carries an even deeper
layer of emotional weight. Living with her is Sadya, a young girl who lost her
mother four years ago. Left without maternal protection or a stable home, Sadya
found a safe haven in Ayesha Begum.

Watch their story:

Despite her advanced age, extreme poverty, and failing strength, Ayesha took
upon herself the responsibility of raising and caring for the orphaned child.
Together, they share a tiny, enclosed space defined by mutual reliance. Yet,
this bond exposes a profound vulnerability. Without financial stability, proper
nutrition, or a secure roof over their heads, their daily existence hangs by a
thread.

The Crushing Weight of Urban Poverty

Life in Korail slum is defined by continuous deprivation. For Ayesha and Sadya,
paying rent and securing decent, nutritious meals are perpetual uncertainties.
The physical toll of the environment combined with extreme economic hardship
makes every single week a crisis.

Yet, amidst this acute poverty, Ayesha continues to nurture Sadya, showcasing an
extraordinary human spirit. But resilience alone cannot pay for rent or
medicine. Stories like this remind us that urban poverty is not just a
statistic—it is a human crisis that demands our attention and empathy.

How You Can Help Ayesha and Sadya

Ayesha and Sadya cannot endure these conditions alone. Humanitarian action
requires community participation. If this story has touched your heart and you
wish to extend a helping hand to support their livelihood and survival, you can
donate directly through our official donation portal:

Donate Here: https://alingan.org/en/donation

Direct Contact & Support Centers:

  • Helpline Numbers: 01867267371 / 01955378793
  • Email: info@alingan.org
  • Alingan Foundation Center Address: House no- 1, Unit- kha169, Korail Bosti
    (Beside the Nurani Mosque), Banani, Dhaka-1213

To support our ongoing documentary work and help bring more systemic issues to
light, please subscribe to Alingan Dhaka and share this story to raise
awareness.



Child Education Lost to Poverty

Support Posted by infoPosted on Fri, April 24, 2026 08:30:43

What happens when a child’s dream of education slowly disappears—not because of lack of interest, but because of poverty? This story takes you inside a reality many people never truly see, where survival becomes more urgent than a child’s future.

In Korail slum, one of Dhaka’s most densely populated areas, Afroza starts her day before the sun rises. She works in other people’s homes, cleaning, cooking, doing whatever she can to earn a small income. Her husband pulls a rickshaw through the busy streets, working long hours under the heat and exhaustion. Yet despite all their effort, their income is never enough.

Their biggest struggle is not just food or shelter-it is their daughter’s lost future.

Moriyom once went to school with hope in her eyes. Carrying her books, she believed in a different life—one beyond the narrow alleys of the slum. Afroza enrolled her with determination, dreaming that education would change everything.

But slowly, reality became heavier than hope.

School fees, though small for many, became impossible for them to manage. One missed payment led to another. Eventually, Moriyom stopped going to school. There was no announcement, no final day—just a quiet ending.

Now, her books remain untouched. The dreams she once held are slowly fading. Instead of preparing for lessons, she sits inside a small room, watching life move forward without her.

Afroza continues to work every day, carrying both responsibility and silent pain. As a mother, she understands what this loss means—even if no words are spoken.

This is not just one family’s story. It is a reflection of a larger reality where many children are forced to give up education-not by choice, but by circumstance. Poverty does not just take away comfort; it takes away opportunity.

And yet, within this struggle, there is dignity. There is resilience. There is a quiet strength that continues despite everything.

Maybe the question is not why this happens.

Maybe the real question is-how many dreams must break before we truly begin to see?

If you feel connected to Moriyom’s story and want to help her continue her education, you can support her through this donation link:
👉 Donation

Watch the full story here:



Forgotten Elderly Life in Korail Slum | Karimun Nesa’s Story

Support Posted by infoPosted on Thu, January 22, 2026 08:13:24

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.