Life is Promising for Toma
Staff Correspondent
Photo: Rashed Shumon
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Although
she grew up in a different environment from other children of the
society, her spirit and struggle seem to make her a role model for the
orphan and vulnerable children to secure a dignified position in
society.
The 21-year-old girl Toma
Roy, who was found at capital Dhaka's Sadarghat Launch Terminal in 1998
by child rights activists, has now become self-reliant and dreams of
achieving an aristocratic status in further life through her skill,
merit and hard work.
"Once, I was very afraid of
my life thinking myself alone in the world. But now I am very much
happy with my life," said Toma, who works as a supervisor in a business
centre of Aparajeyo Bangladesh, a non-government organisation working
for disadvantaged children.
She spent fourteen years of
her life under supervision of Aparajeyo Bangladesh that provided her
accommodation, food, education, mental counselling and other basic
services, above all it has changed her life.
When she was found, she
could not remember her parents or other family members, even could not
tell how she came to Sadarghat. Till now, she knows nothing about her
identity, and only can remember that she hailed from a Hindu family.
Photo: Rashed Shumon
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"From Sardarghat they
(officials of Aparajeyo Bangladesh) took me to Boys and Girls Club at
Motijheel of Aparajeyo Bangladesh where I stayed for one year. Later, I
was transferred to a Drop-In Centre of the same organisation at Farmgate
where I stayed for around 13 years," said Toma.
"I never felt isolated or
lonely there. There were many children like me. They gave me
motivational counselling to remove my mental sufferings. I thought they
were like my family members," she said.
"Whenever I became mentally
upset and cried, they took me to Shishu Park (children's park) or other
places to make me happy," she said.
Toma has completed her
Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate
(HSC). She now waits to enrol in graduation course.
"I never felt
isolated or lonely. There were many children like me. They gave me
motivational counselling to remove my mental sufferings. They were like
my family members."
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She also hopes to establish a care centre for orphan or vulnerable children, if she would have enough money in future.
"I would like to urge all
the orphan and vulnerable children not to give up hope in face of many
challenges. Everyone should keep up their spirit, courage and vision in
his or her mind to go forward," said Toma.
Talking to The Daily Star,
Aparajeyo Bangladesh Executive Director Wahida Banu said they are
working to protect the rights of disadvantaged children so that they can
grow up with full potentials.
Source: The Daily Star- October 7, 2012.