The current situation

The dangerous and unacceptable conditions at the Dokkin Rampur Eteem Khana Orphanage Photo: Mashrur Shafat

Give them the best chance in life

We want to give orphans the best possible chance at life by giving them the fundamentals of living like a roof over their head and to keep them warm in the harsh winters - all things that we take for granted.

Structure

These orphanages are made of very cheap, thin tin, or any scrap metals which can be used to make a roof and walls. What they desperately need is proper structural foundations to ensure that the building will be long lasting and keep out the elements.

Orphans like this young boy die everyday because of disease and a lack of basic hygiene. Photo: M. Hasan

These buildings and their inhabitants are in constant danger in Bangladesh where cyclones and flash floods can hit without warning at any time, especially during the tough monsoon season.

Our promise is to rebuild the orphanages in most desperate need to ensure that they are rain and wind proof, and have the basic facilities to accommodate the orphans.

Sanitation

These orphanages have toilets which consist of 4 tin walls, a roof and a hole in the ground, what seems unimaginable conditions to us is an every day factor for orphans in Bangladesh.

These toilets carry serious threats of disease and are often the cause of many ailments. Orphans will bathe in a nearby rivers or stagnant ponds where they can do more harm than good therefore we will build clean bathing areas.

Medication

Diseases are commonplace in Bangladesh, especially after floods and monsoon season where water brings with it many forms of bacteria. We will provide vaccination and, where possible, government approved vaccinations to prevent illnesses.

The unhygienic conditions at this orphanage. Dirty stagnant water runs everywhere carrying with it a steady stream of disease. Photo: M.Hasan

Blankets, bedding and clothing

During the harsh winters many children die through cold and pneumonia, this is a treatable condition and we pledge to hand out as many blankets and clothing as possible.

Education

Education is the pathway out of poverty, therefore we will put great emphasis on education, especially play and learn zones where our ethos is to have fun as well as learn. We will facilitate these play and learn schemes

Staff training

The greatest asset of any orphanage has to be the staff. These dedicated people spend their lives caring for others but cannot give their best in the desperate conditions found in Bangladeshi orphanages. We will ensure all the staff at the orphanage get training to ensure that they manage and operate the orphanage efficiently and of the best interests of the children.