Photo: BSS

NATORE, Jan 7, 2026 (BSS) - The newly constructed Green Valley Old Age Home and Orphanage in Lalpur upazila of the district is now awaiting inauguration, marking a significant step toward providing shelter and care for vulnerable elderly people and orphaned children.

Built by Prakriti Foundation with the slogan of “We want to put a smile on everyone’s face,” the three-storey facility has been constructed at a cost of Taka 8 crore on one acre of land.

 The institution aims to offer refuge to distressed, helpless elderly people as well as orphaned children and adolescents from across Bangladesh, following specific selection policies.

The building, featuring a unique architectural design, covers approximately 10,500 square feet per floor and ensures uninterrupted natural sunlight throughout. Once fully operational, it will accommodate 200 residents, including 150 orphans and 50 elderly people. Initially, activities will begin with 20 orphans and 10 elderly residents.

Designed to foster a family-like environment, the institution will allow orphaned children and elderly residents to live together, promoting mutual care and guardianship. Alongside residential facilities, the home will provide religious, social, cultural and moral education to enhance residents’ quality of life.

The facility includes modern healthcare rooms, hygienic kitchens, dining spaces on each floor, laundry rooms, a library, recreation rooms, offices for supervisory staff, security posts and visitor waiting areas. In addition to a main staircase and elevator, two internal staircases will ensure easy movement between floors.

To promote self-reliance and life-oriented education, arrangements have been made for cattle rearing and fruit and vegetable cultivation adjacent to the building. 

A vocational training center will also be established soon, offering training in garment making, electrical work, civil and mechanical trades, automobile servicing and plumbing, enabling residents to seek livelihoods at home and abroad.

The estimated daily expenditure on food and beverages for residents is around Taka 15,000. A Donor Club has already been formed, with 270 individuals paying or pledging to cover one day’s expenses as part of humanitarian donations.

Although currently three storeys, the building has a six-storey foundation and is part of a larger three-acre compound. Plans are underway to establish an agricultural farm, technical training center and a modern school to ensure general education for orphaned children. In the future, interested elderly individuals will have the opportunity to reside in additional floors by constructing accommodation at their own expense.

Prakriti Foundation, established in 2000, has been actively involved in social development initiatives, including operating the Lalpur Public Library, awarding the Hero Freedom Fighter Adesh Ali Scholarship, publishing Weekly Lalpur Barta, and running the Prakriti Debating Club and Prakriti Science Club.

Speaking to BSS, Prakriti Foundation Chairman Nuria Parveen said, “We have a plan to transform the ‘Green Valley Old Age Home and Orphanage’ into a world-class institution. The cooperation of the conscious community is highly desirable to achieve this goal.”