LIFE Helps Hundreds of Orphans Stay Healthy and in School Across Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, becoming an orphan often means growing up on the edge of survival. The loss of a parent can quickly lead to food insecurity, interrupted schooling, and limited access to healthcare, especially in low-income households already under strain. While official estimates place the number of orphans between 450,000 and 480,000, non-governmental assessments suggest the true figure may exceed 1.5 million children, many of them living in urban slums or disaster-prone rural areas. In a country where nearly one in four children live below the national poverty line, losing parental support can permanently alter a child’s future. 

The pressures are compounded by frequent climate disasters, economic shocks, and rising costs of education. Families who take in orphaned relatives often do so at great personal sacrifice. School fees, uniforms, and basic nutrition are frequently the first expenses to be cut. Without timely support, children fall behind academically, face malnutrition, or are pushed into labor, not because of a lack of ambition, but because survival demands it. 

To help counter this cycle, Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) implemented an orphan support project between July 1 and December 30, 2025, reaching 351 orphaned children across Dhaka, Cox’s Bazar, Mymensingh, Bhola, and Barisal. The project supported 169 orphans in the third quarter and 182 orphans in the fourth quarter, focusing on children aged 3 to 12 who had lost one or both parents.

LIFE provided comprehensive assistance that addressed daily survival and long-term stability, including food packs, educational materials, school uniforms, school fees, basic healthcare support, and essential household items such as water bottles, tiffin boxes, and hygiene supplies. Distributions were carried out in coordination with government officials and local stakeholders to ensure transparency, safety, and accurate beneficiary selection. 

For Md. Asoud, the support arrived at a critical moment. “My guardian was struggling to manage the costs of my schooling,” he shared. “LIFE’s support lifted a great burden from our shoulders and helped me stay focused on my studies.” His guardian described the assistance as restoring hope during a period when continuing education felt uncertain. 

For Tofatul Jannat Lobaba, the impact went beyond material aid. “Growing up as an orphan comes with many challenges, but LIFE has been a true source of hope and strength in my life,” she said. “Their care has given me dignity, belonging, and hope for a better tomorrow.” 

Projects like this matter because they intervene before hardship becomes permanent. By ensuring children have food to eat, supplies to attend school, and support to remain healthy, LIFE’s orphan programs help protect childhood at its most fragile point.  

The need in Bangladesh remains immense, far exceeding what any single program can meet, but for the 351 children reached during this six-month period, the impact is concrete and lasting. With continued support, LIFE’s work helps ensure that loss does not define a child’s future, and that stability, education, and hope remain within reach.