Photo: BSS

By Faraji Ahmed Rafiq Baban

NATORE, May 24, 2026 (BSS) - For years, poverty has shadowed the life of Rezaul Karim, a struggling van driver from Nabinagar village in Lalpur upazila, as he fights daily to support his eight-member family despite relentless financial hardship.

Rezaul earns his livelihood by driving a van, the family's only source of income. Alongside his wife Bonya and four young daughters, he also supports his elderly and ailing parents in their damp and dilapidated home. On days when there are few passengers or no goods to transport, the family struggles even to arrange meals.

The heartbreaking reality of the family drew public attention after reports emerged that Bonya was feeding her four daughters rice starch instead of rice because of extreme poverty.

Moved by the family's condition, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin extended humanitarian assistance ahead of Eid. On Saturday night, May 23, APS Abdus Salam handed over Eid gifts and financial support to Bonya on behalf of the minister.

Bonya expressed gratitude for the support, saying the assistance had brought happiness to their home during a difficult time.

"When our first daughter Kurchi was four years old, we were blessed with three twin daughters together. Now Kurchi is six, and Amena, Fatema, and Sumaiya are two years old. Managing an eight-member family with only my husband's van income is extremely difficult," she said.

She added that both her in-laws are ill and unable to work, making the burden even heavier.

"This financial assistance has brought Eid joy to our home. We will now be able to buy clothes and food for our daughters. May Allah keep our daughter (the State Minister) well," Bonya said emotionally.

Local residents also called for long-term support for the family. Advocate Saiful Islam of the Natore Judge Court, a neighbor of Rezaul, said community members are trying to help as much as possible, but permanent government assistance would provide real relief.

Head teacher of Kazipara Government Primary School, Umme Habiba Khanam, suggested that Bonya could regain financial stability if provided with vocational training and opportunities for income generation.

State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin said providing humanitarian assistance to the four girls brought her immense satisfaction.

"Necessary steps will be taken in the future to increase the earning capacity of the family. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman wants to build Bangladesh as a humane state, and we are committed to standing beside helpless people," she said.