There are many ways to help people in need.  Adoption is one of the greatest ways.  When someone adopts a child while having their own biological children, we should salute that person. Those of us who can’t, for different reasons, choose the greatest way, adoption, have an option -- --“Sponsoring a child”. Even though sponsorship is not a substitute or comparable in any way to adoption, it helps. “Doing something” is better than “Nothing”.

A single person can make a difference. To a person in need, a tiny bit of help makes a difference. To help people, the main thing needed is ----a “Big Heart”.  All over the world we can find great human beings who are dedicating their lives for noble causes. One of them is Dr. Shamsuddin Sarkar. He is a village doctor who lives in Bagha, Rajshahi in Bangladesh. He was a freedom fighter in the Liberation War of Bangladesh, 1971. When he came home after the war----he saw so many orphan children----nowhere to go, nobody to take care of them. Many children’s fathers were Shaheed freedom fighters.  This great man started to take care of these children. Gradually he founded an orphanage in 1984 at his own house.  Now this orphanage has 115 children. He and his wife Meherunnesa devoted their whole life and spent every penny to this orphanage. They have four biological children. This great lady cooks for these children everyday every meal! Nobody can differentiate their four biological children from these 115 children! These children go to regular public schools. They get training for carpentry, tailoring, handicrafts, farm works, computer based and others whatever they choose and are available. They do these so that when they are out of this orphanage at the age of 19 years, they can become independent.  

Those of us who were born in Bangladesh can easily at least visualize what this great man is doing! He was recognized by Channel-I through the program “Shada Moner Manush”. After that this orphanage gets a tiny bit of help from the Government. It mainly depends on charity. Half of the monthly cost is managed by these means. Other half is managed by taking loans---- starting from the grocery stores. 

Ankur has chosen to stand by this great man and support this orphanage. Last year Ankur sent money and using that money, two bighas of farm land was bought. Crops from that land will help to feed those children. But this is not enough for these 115 children to grow up. They need more support. After almost 38 years of independence of Bangladesh-------we should not and must not lose the opportunity to help at least one freedom fighter’s dream come true, which is, to help these children. Please help Ankur to say “We are with you” to these children!

Wanna have a look at some of the great faces? Click Photo Album

Work In Progress:

Ankur, Intl sent $6,400 in 2008 to purchase 2 bighas of farmland. In 2009, $7,500 used for purchasing another 2 bighas of farmland and $480 for food (during Ramadan). 

Challenges and future goals:
Since their main struggle is to manage money for the food, we are focusing on buying farmland and gradually make them self sufficient in food if we can collect enough funds. Also trying to send money (time to time) for food. There are 115 children now. Hopefully another 4 will be added soon.

What you can do:

Please visit Donor Relations page and take part.