Free Dhaka's Children from Toxic Landfills Now.

For years, families in the waste-picker community have lived in a constant state of survival. With the nearest government school miles away and no safe childcare, parents like Amara were forced to make a heart-wrenching choice every morning: leave their children alone in a vulnerable neighbourhood or take them into the hazardous dumpsites while they worked. "There was no one at home to take care of them," Amara remembers. "We had to take our children to the dumpsite with us." It was a cycle of poverty and danger that felt almost impossible to break.

The turning point began in 2008, when Grambangla listened to these families and established a small school in a local garage. It started as a sanctuary where mothers could leave their babies in a daycare centre, finally able to work while knowing their children were safe. Since then, this humble space has grown into a lifeline for the entire neighbourhood. For mothers like Bithi, the school has been a constant presence; her son, who started in the playgroup, is now in the ninth grade. This transformation is about more than just education; it is about protection and health. In a community where drug addiction is a significant challenge, teachers keep a close watch to guide students away from harm. At the same time, the school provides essential vaccinations and mid-day meals for children who often arrive on empty stomachs.

The true impact of this work is seen in the quiet moments of daily life. Nadia proudly shares that her daughter, after finishing primary school, is now receiving vocational training in industrial sewing. "If she didn't have this chance," Nadia says honestly, "she would have become a waste picker like me." For Amara, the success is deeply personal. Her son now manages the accounts for her business, a task she cannot perform because she never had the chance to learn to read. "I just want my children to be independent," she explains. "When I go to the hospital, I have to ask strangers to read the room numbers or the prescriptions. My children will never face that. They are successful because they no longer have to depend on others."

Today, this community is no longer just receiving support; they are actively shaping their own future. From learning how to access government food rations to survive high inflation to advocating for the school's long-term sustainability, these parents are leading the way. Some, like Bithi, have even offered to pay small tuition fees from their modest earnings to ensure the doors stay open for the next generation. What began in a small garage has become a movement of hope and integrity, proving that when we value care and connection, children born into the most challenging circumstances can rewrite their own stories and flourish with true dignity.

Thank you.