Shuvosangho stands by Ismail after father’s death

Bashundhara Shuvosangho Pabna district branch has provided one month’s food supplies and educational materials to a Class IV student whose father, the family’s sole earning member, died of a stroke recently.

The assistance was handed over to Ismail Sheikh’s family at their home in Jugipara area of Pabna Sadar upazila on Friday morning.

The food package included rice, lentils, cooking oil, salt, sugar, potatoes, onions, garlic, green chillies and other essential household items. The organisation also provided exercise books, pens, notebooks and a schoolbag for Ismail.

Ismail, a student of Alia Madrasa Government Primary School, lost his father Babul Sheikh to a stroke on 11 September. Babul was the family’s sole breadwinner and worked as a day labourer.

Following his death, Ismail and his mother Ratna Khatun have been facing financial hardship in their small, old one-room house, raising concerns over the boy’s education.

“I have become helpless after losing my husband. I did not know how I would run the household or continue my son’s education. Bashundhara Shuvosangho has stood by us at this difficult time,” Ratna said, expressing gratitude for the assistance.

Prabir Saha, adviser to the Bashundhara Shuvosangho Pabna district branch and Pabna correspondent of Kaler Kantho, said Ismail was a meritorious student and his family had suddenly fallen into crisis.

“Our main objective is to ensure that no child has to stop their education because of financial hardship. We will continue our efforts to support vulnerable and meritorious students like Ismail,” he said.

District branch general secretary Shafiqul Islam Shanto said the organisation wanted Ismail’s education to continue despite the family’s financial difficulties.

Farhana Akter, president of the Pabna Sadar upazila branch, said they had tried to support the family so that Ismail would not have to leave his studies after losing his father.

Tanjira Parvin, an assistant teacher at Ismail’s school, said he was a good and quiet-natured student and expressed hope that he would continue attending school regularly.

Local Shuvosangho leaders and dignitaries were present during the distribution of the assistance.