My name is Shopna Akter. My father, Gias Uddin, passed away from liver cancer in 2014. From that day on, my mother, Ruma Begum, became my greatest source of strength. She took on the responsibilities of both parents, doing everything she could to raise us and support our future. Despite the difficulties she faced, she never stopped trying to give us a better life.

Because of our family’s financial hardship, we moved from our village to Dhaka and lived in Avenue 5 of the Madbar Nagar slum. The school run by Unnayan O Shikkha Proshar Trust (USPT) was close to our home. Knowing that it offered a good standard of education, my mother decided to enrol me there. With the help of Jacob Baroi, the Trust’s Executive Director, I was admitted to its child-friendly education centre. In 2009, I began my educational journey in Grade One, unaware of how important this opportunity would become in my life.

Throughout my school years, USPT provided support that helped make my education possible. The Trust supplied essential learning materials, including notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, a schoolbag, shoes, and a uniform. It also helped cover admission fees, tuition fees, examination fees, form-filling fees, and other educational expenses. For a family struggling to make ends meet, this assistance meant far more than material support. It allowed me to continue studying despite our financial difficulties and gave me the opportunity to pursue an education that might otherwise have been beyond my reach.

My mother’s sacrifices and the support I received from USPT, particularly from Jacob Sir, played a significant role in helping me move forward. With their encouragement, I completed my Primary Education Completion Examination with a GPA of 2.97, my Junior School Certificate (JSC) examination with a GPA of 3.08, and my Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination with a GPA of 3.11. Looking back, I know that reaching these milestones would have been extremely difficult without their support. My mother’s determination kept me going, while Jacob Sir’s guidance and assistance helped me continue when circumstances were challenging.

I was not the only member of my family to benefit from the Trust’s support. My younger sister, Ratna Akter, studied up to Grade Eight, while my brother, Kawsar, studied up to Grade Three. He now works as an auto-rickshaw driver, and my sister is married and lives with her in-laws. USPT helped all three of us pursue our education, offering opportunities that were especially important given our family’s circumstances.

After completing my SSC examination, I enrolled in higher secondary education, hoping to continue building a better future through learning. However, in 2022, financial difficulties forced me to stop studying. By then, my mother had remarried and was no longer able to continue providing the financial support I needed to pursue my education. I still dreamed of returning to my studies, but I could not see a way to make that dream a reality.

Life had to go on, and earning money became a necessity. With few alternatives available to me, I took a job in the quality-control section of a garment factory. I had to prioritise earning a living, even though leaving my education unfinished was deeply disappointing. The dream of studying again remained in my heart, but for a time, I had no idea how I could make it happen.

Then I noticed that some of my colleagues were continuing their education while working. Watching them manage their jobs and studies inspired me. If they could keep learning despite their responsibilities, perhaps I could find a way to do the same. Their determination gave me hope and encouraged me to make a promise to myself: I would not give up on my education.

Motivated by this renewed determination, I enrolled at Siraj Uddin College in 2025. When I shared the news with Jacob Sir, he was delighted to learn that I had returned to my studies. He and other officials at the office provided me with financial assistance on several occasions, helping me continue my education. USPT also supported me with the fees required to complete the forms for my Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination. Their assistance came at a crucial time, making it possible for me to continue pursuing a dream I had once feared I would have to abandon.

In 2026, I completed my HSC examinations. At the time of writing this story, the results had not yet been published, but I remain hopeful that I will pass successfully. Reaching this stage means a great deal to me. My journey has not been straightforward, and there have been times when financial hardship forced me to put my dreams aside. Yet, with perseverance and the support of those who believed in me, I found the courage to begin again.

Today, I work in a quality-control role at Banasun Apparels Limited. I am grateful to my employer for the understanding and support I have received. During my examination periods, the company granted me paid leave, and it has also provided paid leave when I have been unwell. This consideration has made it easier for me to balance my work responsibilities with my studies and has helped me continue moving toward my goals.

My mother is a homemaker, and my current salary is Tk 12,000. My mother has remarried, and my stepfather contributes Tk 13,000 toward our household expenses. Although our family has faced many difficulties, we are now managing our lives reasonably well.

When I look back on my journey, I remember the loss of my father, the financial struggles that shaped my childhood, the disappointment of having to stop studying, and the uncertainty I felt about my future. But I also remember the people who stood beside me and helped me find a way forward. The contribution of Unnayan O Shikkha Proshar Trust to my education, employment, and efforts to build a better life has been invaluable. I will remain grateful to the Trust throughout my life for the support it has given me.

Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Unnayan O Shikkha Proshar Trust for helping me and hundreds of other children gradually move toward better lives. The Trust’s support has played a vital role in giving us the opportunity to learn, overcome obstacles, and continue hoping for a brighter future. My story is a reminder that even when circumstances force a person to step away from a dream, with determination and the right support, that dream can still be pursued.