Home ›› 28 Oct 2021 ›› Nation
Shanti Nibas – a shelter for orphans and the elderly in Bogura’s Sonatola upazila – is set to be upgraded to a 500-bed facility from its existing capacity of 15 beds.
A sister concern of the SHARP Foundation, the facility was jointly established in Somjatair village by economist Md Nazim-ud-Daulah, Mahamud Akhter Shahim and Mahmudul Hasan Ratan back in 2004.
This shelter currently has eight rooms for orphans and the elderly, and the rest are used for healthcare, prayer, cooking, dining, recreation, educational, administrative, and other purposes. Each room has two beds, two tables, two chairs, and other living amenities.
Six employees are working around the clock to look after the people currently living in this facility. It provides five nutritious meals a day and regular health check-ups to its residents.
Adding that the shelter is officially called SHARP Shanti Nibas, its founder economist Md Nazim-ud-Daulah said, “I, along with my three friends, established this NGO to make a home for the underprivileged elderly left by their children, and orphans left on the streets.
“A generous man named Anowarul Islam Mandal donated his ancestral properties for the facility on which the establishment has been built.”
Nazim continued, “Initially, our friends and relatives helped us financially, and later SHARP Foundation began supporting us in running the shelter. We will soon upgrade it to a 500-bed facility and invite more underprivileged people.
“We were saddened to see that many people leave their children and parents on the streets, and they live a measurable life due to their old age or financial instability. This is why we wanted to build a facility where we can take care of these marginalised people.”
It is a matter of great joy that the SHARP Foundation has decided to upgrade the shelter, he added.
Goleza Bewa, 65, a resident of the facility, said her children are poor and could not afford to look after her. “Shanti Nibas provides me with proper meals and medical care free of charge. I am very happy to be here.”
Reiterating the same, Jamila Bewa, 65, another resident of the facility, said that the facility has been a blessing for people like her.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer of the upazila Sadia Afrin lauded the initiative saying, “Shanti Nibas is a great initiative that stands beside the marginalised communities in the area. We appreciate the organisation’s contribution in helping these underprivileged people.”
