Orphan Support Program
About The Program
The Orphan Support Program (OSP) is a flagship initiative of EDAS (Educational Development and Services), dedicated to improving the lives of orphaned children across Bangladesh and within the Rohingya refugee community. Rooted in EDAS’s core mission of humanitarian service, the program ensures that orphans, especially those who remain with their mothers or are cared for by extended family, receive holistic support for a dignified life. The program is designed to foster education, ensure access to healthcare, and provide necessary daily living support to build a foundation for self-reliance and long-term well-being. OSP is one of EDAS’s most impactful programs, helping over 6,400 orphans by offering them opportunities they would otherwise be denied due to financial, social, and displacement-related challenges.
Why OSP Matters?
EDAS recognizes that orphaned children face multidimensional challenges, including economic hardship, social exclusion, poor access to education and healthcare, and increased exposure to exploitation. In response, OSP was developed to prevent child labor, malnutrition, and school dropouts, and to foster a generation of empowered youth. For Rohingya children in refugee settings, OSP acts as a lifeline that fills critical service gaps. Through this initiative, EDAS ensures child protection, builds resilience among single-parent families, and contributes to national and humanitarian development goals.
Beneficiary Profile
types of beneficiaries supported by EDAS under the OSP initiative:
- Age Range: Children aged 6–18 years
- Gender: Inclusive of all genders
- Geography: Includes urban and rural districts in Bangladesh, as well as Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar
- Household Type: Primarily children living with widowed mothers or guardians
- Socioeconomic Background: Extremely low-income households; exposure to health, nutrition, and education-related risks
Program Activities
EDAS’s Orphan Support Program is multifaceted and addresses the following domains:
- Education: Formal school enrollment, tuition support, provision of uniforms, school supplies, and digital learning tools
- Financial Aid: Monthly stipends to help cover daily needs, food, and school expenses
- Healthcare Services: Routine health screenings, immunizations, provision of hygiene kits, and support during emergencies
- Nutrition & Food Security: Distribution of food packs and nutrition monitoring
- Psycho-social Support: Trauma-informed care, stress management sessions, group counseling, and community-based mental health education
- Life Skills & Morality: Training in ethics, rights, leadership, and social responsibility through extracurricular and religious guidance
Orphan Support
Empowering Bangladeshi Orphans with Holistic Care
Bangladesh
Empowering Orphans with Holistic Care
Supporting Bangladeshi Orphans with Compassion, Care, and Opportunity
In Bangladesh, thousands of orphans grow up in difficult conditions — many having lost their fathers, with their mothers struggling alone to provide for the family. Recognizing the profound challenges faced by these families, EDAS has been supporting nearly 3,300 orphaned children who remain under the care of their mothers.
This support is not limited to basic needs. EDAS offers a comprehensive care package designed to uplift these children and help them grow with dignity and purpose. The assistance includes:
- Educational support to ensure uninterrupted learning
- Monthly financial aid to cover essential living costs
- Access to healthcare services, including regular medical check-ups and screenings
- Self-reliance training, aimed at developing life skills and confidence
- Wellness and psychosocial support to promote emotional well-being
Through this initiative, EDAS not only safeguards the futures of these vulnerable children but also empowers widowed mothers, enabling them to raise their children in a healthier, more stable environment. The goal is to break the cycle of poverty and ensure that every orphan under EDAS’s care has the chance to thrive.
Restoring Hope for Rohingya Orphans
Rohingya Refugee in Bangladesh
Restoring Hope for Rohingya Orphans
Uplifting Rohingya Orphans through Education, Stability, and Dignity
The plight of Rohingya orphaned children in the refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar is one of the most pressing humanitarian concerns in the region. Many of these children, having lost their parents to violence or displacement, found themselves deprived of education, emotional care, and basic rights. Isolated and often considered a burden by their guardians or host families, their futures were at risk.
In response, EDAS has initiated a large-scale orphan support program, focused on 2,500 Rohingya orphans, with the generous backing of several international partners and donors. This initiative provides:
- Access to structured education, aligned with the Rohingya curriculum and adapted to their needs
- Safe learning environments and Child Care Homes, where children are protected, respected, and engaged
- Nutritional support, hygiene kits, and clothing, ensuring their basic health and dignity
- Recreational and extracurricular activities, allowing children to express themselves and recover from trauma
- Psychosocial and emotional care, helping orphans rebuild their sense of security and hope
EDAS’s approach is rooted in dignity, empathy, and long-term vision. By addressing both the educational and emotional needs of Rohingya orphans, EDAS is not only providing immediate relief but also planting seeds for a future generation of resilient, educated, and empowered individuals within the Rohingya community.
Monitoring & Evaluation
To ensure quality and accountability, EDAS conducts systematic monitoring:
- Monthly home visits and feedback collection
- Bi-annual academic and health report submissions
- Database management with digital profiles for every sponsored child
- Transparent reporting to donors and stakeholders
Donor Engagement
EDAS emphasizes donor trust through:
- Annual updates on each child (photo, academic results, health)
- Personalized feedback and acknowledgment from beneficiaries
- Clear reporting on fund utilization and program outcomes
- Invitation to join events, visits, and direct interactions when feasible
Success Story
Ayesha Akhter
Age: 13
Location: Mymensingh, Bangladesh
Sponsor Since: 2022
Before Sponsorship:
Ayesha lost her father at age 8. Her mother, a garment worker, struggled to provide even two meals a day. Ayesha was on the verge of dropping out of school and often fell sick due to poor nutrition.
After Sponsorship:
Through EDAS’s OSP, Ayesha receives monthly support for food, education, and medical care. She’s now in Class 7, attends school regularly, and dreams of becoming a teacher. Her health has improved, and she proudly shows her school results to her sponsor.
Mohammad Ibrahim
Age: 10
Location: Rohingya Camp, Cox’s Bazar
Sponsor Since: 2021
Before Sponsorship:
Displaced and traumatized, Ibrahim had no access to education or emotional support after losing both parents during the Rohingya crisis.
After Sponsorship:
Now part of a Child Care Home run by EDAS, Ibrahim attends informal classes, receives therapy, and plays with friends in a safe environment. He’s learning the Rohingya script, reciting poetry, and slowly regaining his confidence.
Partners
