On the very first morning of New Year 2026, a deeply touching humanitarian moment unfolded in Niamatpur, Naogaon, where administrative responsibility blended seamlessly with a mother’s compassion, bringing smiles to the faces of orphaned children.
On the occasion of the New Year, through a thoughtful and compassionate initiative of the Honorable Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Ms. Morsheda Khatun, 15 orphaned foster children of the Ghashful Foster Children Care Center received 15 warm blankets wrapped with love, symbolizing care, protection, and state responsibility.
As part of the New Year celebration, cakes were first distributed by Ghashful, which the children joyfully cut themselves, sharing greetings and happiness with one another. This was followed by a cake-cutting session organized by the Upazila Administration. In an emotional and heartfelt moment, the Honorable UNO personally wrapped warm blankets around each child, transforming a simple winter essential into a powerful message of love, care, and accountability from the State.
The foster mothers and Ghashful officials present at the event were deeply moved by this gesture and expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Upazila Administration for their compassion and support.
The event was attended by Mr. Rafiqul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Niamatpur Police Station, along with officials from the Social Services Department, Agriculture Office, and other members of the Upazila Administration. Representing Ghashful were Mr. Md. Anwar Hossain, Acting Zonal Manager, Mr. Md. Shahidul Islam, Branch Manager, while overall coordination was led by Mr. Md. Kohinur Islam, Upazila Coordinator of the ENRICH Program, along with project officials.
It is worth noting that the Ghashful Foster Children Care Center represents a unique and pioneering humanitarian model in Bangladesh, where orphaned children grow up not in institutional shelters, but within loving foster families. Alongside ensuring physical and psychological well-being, the initiative focuses on quality education, values, and confidence-building to nurture capable and compassionate human beings.
This foster care model began its journey on 12 March 2024 in Uttarbari area of Niamatpur Upazila, Naogaon, marking Bangladesh’s first pilot implementation of such a model. Guided by the advice and support of eminent development professional and social worker Mr. Nezbath Masud, the initiative currently supports 15 children living with 15 foster families, receiving care and affection as their own. Through learning support centers, recreation, sports, and creative activities, the children are growing up in a nurturing and dignified environment.
To transform this noble initiative into a sustainable and scalable humanitarian movement, steps are being taken to establish an Individual Donors’ Forum to support its future expansion.