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Orphan Sponsorship Project

Project Overview
Islamic Relief contributes towards alleviating child poverty in Bangladesh with the Orphan Sponsorship Programme.

The project began in 1992 and there are now over 1,500 sponsored orphans in Bangladesh

The sponsorship programme is integrated with other IR projects in Bangladesh and orphans are supported with education, shelter, food, clothes and recreation facilities.

boys in an orphanage

Project Background
Orphans from poor and distressed families live in destitute conditions and are often homeless, neglected and receive very little care.

This programme serves orphans in the southern, northeast and western areas of the country, where cyclones, flooding, river erosion, and drought are regular occurrences.    

Orphans on the One to One Sponsorship Program receive regular payments from a donor which they can use for their needs.

The project is community-based, which means that orphans are encouraged to use the resources already available in their communities in order to prevent them and their families from becoming over dependent on the donor. 

In addition, families with orphaned children also receive shelter, water and sanitation facilities and training in practical skills to help establish sustainable livelihoods.

More than 1,500 orphans are currently served by this programme and receive food, school uniforms, primary health care and educational support.

Project Objectives

  • Improving the quality of life for IR sponsored orphans and their families;
  • Providing education appropriate to the needs of sponsored orphans;
  • Establishing proper health care mechanisms for sponsored orphans;
  • Helping orphans and family members establish livelihoods after termination of sponsorship.

Project Activities

  • Extensive home visits to provide continuous counseling and support;
  • Regular school visits to provide adequate follow-up of Orphans presence in school;
  • Regular health checkups and health awareness sessions;
  • Training in practical skills for orphans and their families;
  • Organising recreational activities.

Beneficiaries
IR sponsored orphans and their families are the primary beneficiaries, but because the projects are community-based, other people in the communities will benefit indirectly.