Life of three indomitable sisters in Borguna

Sonia Akhter, a university graduate, earns Tk10,000 per month by working for a private organisation. She divides her salary by keeping Tk5,000 for herself and sending the rest to Shefali Begum, her mother, who works as a day labourer in a brick field in Borguna's Kaunia village. 

Shefali Begum started working as a brick-breaker after her husband Abul Kalam abandoned her seven years back. Her earnings help her family to survive and her three daughters to continue with their education.  

The entire family was left on the street when the father went away. They had no place to live. They roamed around in hardship and took shelter at other people's homes during rain and storm. 

At the time, Sonia, a student of class four, helped her mother while continuing with her studies. She secured a scholarship for herself in both class five and eight. 

Shefali Begum also works as a part-time maid in her free time besides working as a labourer in the brickfield. Despite facing many obstacles, she works hard to feed and educate her daughters. 

After growing up and graduating, Sonia started to earn a living, and has been a significant helping hand for her mother since. Sonia's younger sisters can now continue with their studies on their elder sister's income.

Sanjida Akhter Tora, Sonia's second sister, got a golden GPA-5 in the exams in classes five and eight, and in the SSC exams as well. Now, she is a first-year HSC student. 

Shammi Akhter, Sonia's youngest sister, now a student of class six, completed class five with a golden GPA-5.  

Shefali Begum's elder brother Abdul Malek recently built a tin-shed house for her and her daughters on an unused plot of land. The three girls and their mother survive on leftover food provided by their uncle.

Though the area has electricity, Shefali Begum does not have an electricity connection in her house because she cannot afford to pay the bills. 

Her children study under the light of a lamp.
 
Despite the hurdles they face in continuing their education, they do not lose any opportunity to win first position in any essay, handwriting or flower making competition at both district and division levels. 

Sonia Akhter, while sharing the difficulties she faced in life, said: "I graduated from Begum Foyzunnesa Womens Degree College in Bamna upazila of Borguna with great difficulty. I used to walk seven kilometres to the college. I would like to help my mother, which is why I work hard to support her."

Sanjida Akhter Tora said: "Our father left us seven years ago. We survive on stale and leftover food. With all these hurdles, we are living only with the hopes and aspirations of a bright future."

Shefali Begum told The Business Standard that her daughter Sanjida has to spend Tk30 every day to go to Betagi Degree College. 

She says, "If the bus owner considers my daughter's situation and waives the fare, it would reduce the financial pressure on me."

Meherunnahar, the head-teacher of 46 Kaunia Government Primary School said: "All three of them, Shammi, Tora and Sonia, completed their primary education from my school."

With a tear in the corner of her eye, she said: "Living a life of sorrow and struggle is really difficult. Shefali Begum worked very hard to provide a bright future for them. Her daughters are bright like shining stars. They did not pause for a moment. All three of them achieved golden GPA-5. We helped them as much as we could."

Sahidul Islam, the head-teacher of Kaunia Emdadia Secondary School said: "I request affluent and solvent people in our society to help the three sisters."

If any benevolent people want to help the three indomitable sisters, they can give a helping hand to their mother at 01947351267.