Champion of Orphans

A young man named Faridul Islam Farid, who defied all obstacles to get an education, has shown us a sense of commitment to society that should be applauded and emulated. He has chosen to educate the most vulnerable group of society – orphans. With the help of his friends, Farid saved enough money to help support orphans of his locality so that they could be educated. His initiative – Etim Unnayan Foundation now supports 87 children, providing them with education materials and stipends.

The fact that these children have been given a chance to pursue their dreams demonstrates how the altruism and drive of individuals can bring about social change. Farid believes education will help these orphans to be more aware of their rights, citing the example of relatives who grab property they would normally be entitled to.

Children from poor backgrounds are deprived of many basic rights to begin with; for orphans it is even worse. Although there are government-run orphanages in the country, they are not enough to accommodate the number of orphans who are treated with neglect and often have no access to education. Farid's endeavour is laudable but it requires support from the government and society at large in order to reach more such children.

Besides financial support of such initiatives that show the selfless side of many young people, it is important for societal attitudes towards orphans to change. They must be valued as we value all other children and be provided with not only education, food and shelter, but also love and affection which are also crucial for a child's development. As a society we must treat all our children with kindness, respect and generosity.