In the heart of Korail slum in Dhaka, around 80-year-old Shurva Begum lives a quiet life shaped by uncertainty, dependence, and the everyday struggle to meet basic needs.
Although she has children, Shurva says that she does not receive regular care from them. As a result, she depends largely on the kindness and support of people around her to get through each day. Even the rent for her small home is something she has to manage herself.
For an elderly person, managing food, housing, and daily necessities can become increasingly difficult when there is no dependable source of income or regular family support.
Living with the Help of a Community
Shurva’s life in Korail reflects a reality that often remains unseen in a busy city like Dhaka.
Her neighbors sometimes help her by providing food. These may seem like small acts of kindness, but for Shurva, they can make an important difference in her daily life.
Having food available, however, does not always mean having the freedom to choose what she would like to eat or what might be better for her needs. When someone depends on others for basic necessities, even simple everyday choices can become difficult.
At an age when people often need greater care and security, living without consistent family support can make ordinary challenges much harder.
More Than a Story About Poverty
Shurva’s story is not simply about financial hardship.
It is also a story about aging, dignity, dependence, and community support.
Her experience raises an important question about what happens to elderly people who do not have reliable support from their families. Who helps them when they need food? How do they manage their rent? And how can communities make sure that older people are not left alone when they become increasingly dependent on others?
Korail is a densely populated community where many people face difficult circumstances. Yet within such challenges, acts of kindness from neighbors can become an important source of support.
For Shurva, these moments of assistance are part of everyday life.
Watch Shurva’s Story
We documented Shurva Begum’s life and her everyday reality in Korail to help viewers understand the challenges she faces.
You can watch the full documentary video here:
We encourage you to watch her story with patience and respect, and to share the video with others so that more people can understand the experiences of elderly people living without dependable support.
How Can Communities Support Elderly People?
Shurva’s experience invites us to think about the role communities can play in supporting elderly people who live without regular family assistance.
Support does not always have to begin with something large. Understanding someone’s situation, checking on them regularly, helping with basic necessities, or connecting them with available support can all become meaningful forms of care.
The question is not only how much we can give, but also how we can help people maintain their dignity while receiving support.
Want to Help Shurva?
If you would like to support Shurva and help her with her basic needs, you can make a donation through Alingan Foundation:
Donate through Alingan Foundation
Every contribution can help provide support for people facing difficult circumstances and help make their everyday lives a little more secure.
Bringing Overlooked Stories Into View
In a rapidly growing city like Dhaka, it can be easy to overlook the lives of people whose struggles happen quietly.
Shurva’s story offers an opportunity to look beyond statistics and see the human experience behind everyday hardship. Her life reminds us that dignity in old age is connected not only to financial security, but also to care, respect, companionship, and the feeling that someone is there when help is needed.
Alingan Dhaka continues to document real stories from communities like Korail, bringing attention to everyday experiences that can easily remain unseen. Through these stories, we hope to encourage greater understanding, empathy, and community awareness.
Watch Shurva Begum’s story, share it with others, and take a moment to reflect on the realities faced by elderly people living without dependable support.
What can communities do to make sure elderly people without regular family support are not left alone?
