Sura’s journey with Children’s Uplift Programme

Bangladesh in South Asia

After a long journey of mistrust and abuse, these were the healing words that Koli* heard at the Children’s Uplift Program (CUP): “It’s not your fault. We love you no matter what happened in your past. God loves you.”

Koli was born into a poor family and was married at the tender age of nine. Koli brought shame on her family for rejecting her married status, so she was sent to find work in the city.  

While working as a domestic helper, Koli was lured into the sex industry due to a false promise of a job.

At the age of 20, she was pregnant, abandoned by her baby’s father and left without any financial support. She was also emotionally scarred from the trauma she had been through.

This End of Financial Year (EOFY), would you restore hope to women just like Koli through a tax-deductible donation of $70 to the Girls off the Streets Fund?

CUP is a hub of hope for girls on the streets of Dhaka city. CUP works with mothers and children in high-risk situations by providing basics such as food, medication, education and vocational training. 

Pregnant, abandoned and vulnerable, Koli had nowhere to turn until she found a safe haven at CUP. Since joining the training program, she has left behind the sex industry and is learning vocational skills that will allow her to provide for herself.

As well as receiving food and medication, Koli has found a vital support network at CUP. After giving birth to her baby, CUP staff gave Koli much-needed emotional support.

Hosneara Khatun, CUP’s director, said, “All the staff are being especially kind to her because they saw her terrible emotional state. She is also responding to their love and giving it back to others.”

Just like Koli, there are many women in Bangladesh who have been abandoned and left without any means to take care of themselves or their children.

In light of this, will you support the Girls off the Streets Fund? Your partnership will bring hope and restoration to vulnerable women and give them the opportunity to start a new life.

Your $70 tax-deductible gift to Girls off the Streets will cover the participation cost of one mother and her children for one month, including training, food and other essential items. Or, your gift of $840 will cover twelve months and see a family complete the one-year program.

Since arriving at CUP thirteen months ago, Koli’s overall health has improved and, she dreams about starting a new job once she graduates from the program.

CUP extends hope to at-risk women by providing a safe space where they can be equipped to care for themselves and their family.

Hosneara said, “We provide hope for a better future, despite any traumatic experience they have gone through. We take care of their kids by providing health care, food and schooling.”

By helping women get off the street and away from the influence of the sex trade, you are empowering mothers to forge a new path for themselves and their children.

Thank you so much for your faithful partnership with SIM Australia.

Restore hope to the vulnerable and give to SIM's Girls off the Streets Fund here.

*Donation of $2 and above to SIM's Girls off the Streets Fund is tax-deductible. Should a project raise funds in excess of its target, we will apply it to a similar project where most needed.
*Name changed to protect identity. Representative image used.
Photo:  Miro May/Alamy