In the bustling, chaotic capital of Dhaka, nestled in Sector 13 of Uttara, lies the ‘Apon Bhubon’ old people’s home.
This home has provided refuge to 29 mothers who were found abandoned on the streets. Managed by dedicated volunteers, Apon Bhubon ensures these women have a roof over their heads, food, medical care, and all necessary amenities. Typically, an old age home is considered a sanctuary for the elderly, but Apon Bhubon and another home called ‘Apon Nibash’ in Uttarkhan are redefining this by offering a home to mothers with no identification or family members.
At Apon Bhubon, this reporter met Johora, affectionately known as “Johora Ma”. Though she can’t recall everything about her past, she appears quite comfortable and at ease. She enjoys occasional outings, and someone from the home ensures that she is well taken care of, as if she were their own mother. Johora Ma’s vibrant and cheerful demeanour is infectious. Zara Zaman, the coordinator at Apon Bhubon, mentioned that a volunteer from Jurain brought Johora Ma to the home two and a half years ago.
Then there is Hazera, close to 90 years old, who has lost everything, including her memory. Initially frightened by strangers, she quickly warms up and speaks from her heart, often hugging visitors. Zara recounts that two years ago, local residents from Mirpur brought Hazera to Apon Bhubon.
Another resident, Nurjahan, has been at Apon Bhubon for two years. She shared her story with UNB: “I had a son who went missing. My husband is no more. The landlord found out about this place and brought me here. I am very well taken care of here. Whenever I want something to eat, I just need to ask, and it’s provided immediately. I am unwell, and I receive milk, eggs, soup—whatever I want to eat. Everyone here is very kind and loves us dearly. They look after what we eat, what we wear. I have no one else; these people are my everything.”
When asked about medical care, Nurjahan said, “There is always a doctor here. Two nurses are also present. If something serious happens, we are taken to the hospital.”
Dr. Fatema Ferdousi, the appointed doctor at Apon Bhubon, explained to UNB, “I’m a general practitioner at Radium Diagnostic Center from 5 pm to 8 pm. After that, I dedicate my time to these mothers at Apon Bhubon.”
Rumi Rahman, general secretary of Apon Bhubon, shared the story behind the establishment of this home with UNB. “Apon Bhubon began its journey three years ago. This old age home runs entirely on charity, but is different from others. This home is for those who have no one. In other old age homes, parents are taken care of on a monthly fee basis if they have identifiable family members. We only bring in and take care of those who truly have no one.”
Rumi shared the poignant story of how it all started with a woman named Azgari. “I found her eating food from a dumpster. That broke my heart. She had no one to offer her even a morsel of rice. I asked her why she was eating from the dumpster, and she replied that she had no choice. I then asked if she would come with me, and she immediately agreed.”
That experience motivated Rumi to think, “There must be a place for such mothers, where they can have shelter, food, and medical care. I found this house in Uttara, and after starting with Azgari Ma, gradually other organizations learned about us and started bringing in more mothers from the streets or in need of care. Currently, we have 29 mothers here.”
Providing medical care is crucial. Rumi explained, “Sudden illnesses are common at this age. So, we hired a full-time doctor and made agreements with two hospitals—Dhaka Specialized and Ahsania Mission Cancer Hospital. If the mothers fall seriously ill, we admit them there. We also have two appointed nurses and volunteers.”
Whenever they find a mother on the streets, they inform the police. If a mother passes away, they obtain a death certificate through a doctor and then coordinate with Anjuman Mufidul Islam (an organization that carries out unclaimed burials) for the funeral. They also try to trace family members and return the mothers to their families if possible. Some mothers have daughters but no sons, and if the daughter’s in-laws cannot accommodate them, they are kept at the home.
Apon Nibash in Uttarkhan operates similarly, providing shelter to homeless elderly mothers and pregnant women with mental health issues. Children born here are raised in the home, often never knowing their fathers.
One such resident, Sakina, shared, “I have no family. I came here willingly after hearing about it from Abdullahpur in Uttara. I have been here for five years and feel very well cared for, despite my broken leg.”
Nasreen (not her real name), who experiences mental health problems, came to Apon Nibash while pregnant. Her story is one of abuse and abandonment. Now, her daughter Nupur, almost nine months old, is being raised at the home.
Another resident, Sohana (not her real name), cannot recognize her nine-month-old son. While the child is raised by appointed caregivers, Sohana’s mental state remains uncertain.
Selina Sheli, founder and executive director of Apon Nibash, told UNB that since its inception in 2010, the organization has been providing shelter to homeless elderly women and women who experience mental health problems found on the streets—offering them food, medical care, and all necessary services.
One of the dedicated caregivers, Shirin Shorna, shared, “We brought Nupur’s mother (Nasreen) in with a broken leg, not knowing she was pregnant. Sohana was also brought in from Dhaka Medical College Hospital with a broken leg. We post their details on our social media page, but no one comes to claim them.”
When asked if they only take care of helpless mothers, leaving out many fathers or elderly men in need, both Rumi and Selina responded similarly, “We are women, and we can take care of women in a way we cannot take care of men. It would require hiring men for everything. However, established men in society are welcome to step in and help.”
Rumi added, “If an opportunity arises, we will try to expand our services.”
There are several old age homes in our country, both government and private. Most of them charge a monthly fee. However, with the increasing population and life expectancy, the need for proper care for elderly parents is becoming more pressing. For those without children, or whose children cannot provide care, a safe haven with medical care, companionship, and a comfortable environment is essential. Yet, it is not desirable to send parents to an old age home just to evade responsibilities, even when facilities are available.
