SOS Children's Village Bangladesh, a non-profit social development organization, organized an award ceremony to honour 13 mothers who provide love and care to orphan children, growing up in the Alternative Care centre.
So far there are 1,053 children and adolescents in this alternative care, and some 83 women are performing the duties of mothers.
Since 1972, some 65,000 children and teenagers have benefited from the organization.
A mother at Alternative Care, Nadira Farzana, 47, shared her experience of raising 22 kids over the course of 13 years.
She said: “I could never have children of my own. But when kids address me as a mother, the pain of not having kids fade away. The taste of that impossibility, of not being able to be a mother, has settled because of them.”
“Once upon a time, I lamented the absence of my own family. I once felt guilty for not having my own children. One day I felt sick and these kids helped me to recover from the sickness. Since that day, I had no regrets. Now I am a mother of 22 kids,” she added.
Another mother, Sabera Sultana, was overcome with emotion while telling her story of becoming a mother.
She said: “When I first came here, I was given the responsibility of a three-year-old child. I became a mother from the day I first heard her calling me mother. I feel proud when I see them established in society. This life seems worthwhile.”
Meanwhile, Amirun Nahar said: “I lost my husband and children at the age of 20. I never thought I could become a mother again. When I came here in 2004, a two-year-old called me mother. I can't explain the feeling of happiness. It's been 19 years here, maybe I couldn't give birth but I managed to be a mother of 24 kids.”
Dhaka TribuneMahfuza Begum, Jhuma Corraya, Hasna Aktara Banu, Mazkura Khatun, Shaheda Akter, Kamrun Nahar, Shahanaz Parvin, Dolana Aktar, Nazmun Nahar, Sajeda Begum have been working at the Alternative Care centres for more than 10 years.
Dr Dereje Wordofa, president, SOS Children's Villages International said: “I am honoured to present these awards to our dedicated SOS mothers, who have been providing care to the children in our care for many years. Their hard work and commitment to our cause are an inspiration to us."
Biranchi Upadhyaya, international director of the region – Asia said: “Seeing the dedication and commitment of these SOS mothers is truly inspiring. Their tireless efforts to create a safe and nurturing environment have had a profound impact on the lives of so many children.”
SOS Children's Villages Bangladesh Deputy Director-Advocacy and Communication BEIG Nusrat Jahan Shawon said: “SOS Children's Villages Bangladesh is a non-governmental social development organization that supports disadvantaged families to care for their children.”
She added that quality alternative care is also provided through Family Like Care.
Steffen Braasch, chief operating officer, SOS Children's Villages International, and Angela Maria Rosales, chief program officer, SOS Children's Villages International were also present at the ceremony among others.
After the ceremony, a cultural program and community dinner were also arranged.
The SOS Children's Villages Bangladesh is a non-governmental organization that provides care and support for children who have lost their parents or are at risk of losing parental care.
The organization also works in the field of establishing child rights since 1972.
