Struggling to make ends meet while caring for her ailing husband and their two children, domestic worker Shahanara Akter can barely manage daily expenses, let alone prepare for Eid-ul-Azha.
With the holy festival approaching, the cost of making Eid preparations has caused significant anxiety for her family.
On Tuesday, members of Bashundhara Shuvosangho visited Shahanara’s home at Dosharicho village in Lalmai upazila of Cumilla and delivered an “Eid bazar” for her family.
The items included pilao rice, boiled rice, soybean oil, onion, garlic, potatoes, ginger, spices, detergent powder, vermicelli, sugar, tissue paper, and a bucket.
Lalmai upazila unit Shuvosangho President Mofizul Islam Munna said, “During last Eid-ul-Fitr, we provided gifts to the family of differently-abled Jabed Omar. This Eid-ul-Azha, we have delivered Eid essentials to Shahanara’s family. In the future, the Shuvosangho team will surely continue visiting the homes of other helpless and distressed people.”
General Secretary Kazi Yakub Ali Nimel said that meat is present in almost every Muslim household during Eid-ul-Azha, but not every family can afford the essential ingredients for cooking it.
He added that seeing happiness on Shahanara’s face made their effort feel worthwhile.
Appreciating the initiative, Lalmai Upazila Anti-Corruption Committee Vice-President Mohammad Kamal Hossain thanked Shuvosangho members for reaching out to Shahanara’s family and expressed hope that the organisation would continue to support marginalised people in society on a regular basis.
Receiving the support, Shahanara said no organisation had ever come forward for them in this way during Eid.
Expressing her gratitude to Bashundhara Shuvosangho, she said the assistance made their Eid more manageable.
Lalmai Press Club General Secretary Kamal Hossain said Bashundhara Shuvosangho has implemented over 50 social initiatives in the upazila in recent years, including free sewing training, distribution of sewing machines, educational materials for underprivileged students, free medical camps, dental services, health support for female students, food assistance to poor families, measles awareness seminars, and iftar programmes with orphans.
He hoped the organisation would continue monthly initiatives in the area.
The distribution of Eid essentials was carried out under the overall supervision of Lalmai-Sadar Dakkhin upazila correspondent of the Kaler Kantho, Zahirul Islam Zahir.
Among others present on the occasion were Shuvosangho vice-presidents Masum Billah Muhajir and Farhad Uddin, Event Secretary Yamin, and member Md Saikat.
bd-pratidin/GR
