Sponsorship Program

The sponsorship program takes a more involved role in the lives of the students and caters to those in more desperate circumstances. The program not only covers the cost of educational expenses for the students, but also food, clothing, and tutorship and medical care as needed. The goal of the additional support is to create a lifestyle for the students that not only allows them to live happy, healthy lives, but also free them from concerns that could hinder their educational development.

SHEBI started this program with 2 students in 2006. SHEBI expects to incorporate more students into this lifestyle/educational support system that offers direction to those at more extreme disadvantages.

2006 - 2009 Sponsored Students

Shamoli Akter:
Shamoli is a 14 year old girl who lived in the Lalmatia slum in Dhaka city. She speaks English very well. Her mother works selling fish in the local market to bear the cost of supporting Shamoli, her four siblings, and her elderly husband. One of Shamoli's brothers is mentally disabled. Under the burdens of supporting her family, Shamoli's mother was unable to also bear the cost of her education. Shamoli was fortunate enough to receive the sponsorship of Seema Khan, a United States citizen of Bengali origin. Miss Khan has been sponsoring Shamoli since 2006, enabling Shamoli to study at the Grace Talitha Kumi School in Badda in Dhaka, where she is now an 8th grader. Her teacher, Depali Kosta, takes care of her. Shamoli is extremely grateful to Seema Khan, and dreams of becoming a pilot in the future.

Denia Akter:
Denia Akter is Shamoli's younger sister. Seema Khan found out about Denia through Shamoli, and learned that the ten year old was not going to school. Her financial sponsorship enabled Denia to be admitted into the second grade of the Grace Talitha Kumi School. Miss Khan has been sponsoring Denia since 2007. Denia is now in the third grade, and like her sister, is being taken care of by her teacher, Depali Kosta.