Twenty-four elderly people, including four unidentified women, have found shelter at an old age home in Gopalganj, but inadequate infrastructure and limited financial resources continue to hamper its operations.
Located in Haishur village under Kashiani upazila, the Haishur Old Age Home is run by the Biswa Manab Seba Sangha on one bigha of land. The residents include 18 women and six men from different districts, including Gopalganj, Khulna, Patuakhali, Barguna, Madaripur, Jessore and Bagerhat.
The four unidentified women were given shelter after being found wandering in different places without known names or addresses, said Ashutosh Biswas, president of the organisation.
Although the facility has accommodation for 26 people, residents are living in dilapidated tin-shed buildings. The institution also lacks adequate safe drinking water, sanitation facilities and proper accommodation. Poor road connectivity further complicates access.
Established in 1996 with five residents, the institution received registration from the Gopalganj District Social Services Office in 1999 under registration number 228/99.
One of the residents, Geeta Rani Karmakar, said her life took a difficult turn after river erosion destroyed her family home in Betagi village of Barguna. Her husband, Kartik Chandra Karmakar, was a goldsmith, while she tutored students to supplement the family income.
She later suffered paralysis, and her husband died about one and a half years ago. Her only daughter lives with her husband in Uzirpur of Barisal.
"If my health had remained normal, I could have earned my own living by tutoring students instead of depending on others," she said.
Another resident, Sujit Sinha, who has been living at the home for five years, said he received food and medicines but hoped the institution's problems would be addressed.
Ashutosh said he established the home in 1996 after being inspired by a book about Mother Teresa while studying for his master's degree at Government Brojomohun College in Barisal.
Having lost his parents during childhood, he wanted to dedicate his life to serving disadvantaged elderly people. He later left his teaching job to devote more time to the institution.
Running the facility requires substantial resources. According to Ashutosh, the daily food requirements for 24 residents include 12kg of rice, 5kg of fish, 6kg of chicken, 30 eggs and other essential items. Additional expenses include medicines, fuel, toiletries and fruits.
He said the deputy commissioner provides rice twice a year through the government relief programme, while individual donations help meet other expenses.
In recognition of its humanitarian activities, the Department of Social Services awarded the organisation the Human Welfare Gold Medal in 2021.
Gopalganj District Council Administrator Sharif Rafiquzzaman said he had personally supported the initiative and would try to arrange further assistance through the council.
Muhammad Murad Hossain, deputy director of the Gopalganj District Social Services Office, said the department had registered the institution and would continue supporting it.
Despite official recognition and some government assistance, the old age home continues to struggle to provide adequate facilities for its residents.
Ashutosh said improved infrastructure and sustained financial support were essential to ensuring better living conditions for the elderly.
