Every child who comes to BS Orphanage Foundation arrives having lost the one thing a child needs most: a home. Some have lost both parents to illness or accident. Some were left behind when a surviving parent could no longer afford to feed them. Some were found living with distant relatives who had neither the means nor the willingness to keep them. Whatever the circumstance, the first thing we give a child is a permanent place to live — not a temporary shelter, not a night’s stay, but a home they can stay in for as long as they need it.
Our residential care program is the foundation everything else rests on. A child cannot learn in school if they have nowhere safe to sleep. A child cannot recover their health if they are not eating regularly. A child cannot develop confidence or trust if they are constantly worried about where they will be next month. Residential care removes that uncertainty, and it is the single largest and most continuous commitment we make.
A safe place to sleep
Our facility provides supervised dormitory accommodation with proper beds, clean bedding, mosquito nets, storage space for each child’s belongings and adequate lighting and ventilation. Boys and girls are housed in entirely separate accommodation, each supervised by dedicated caregivers of the same gender. Sleeping areas are kept clean, and bedding and mattresses are inspected and replaced on a regular cycle.
Sanitation is a priority. Toilets and washrooms are cleaned daily, soap and hygiene supplies are always available, and clean drinking water is provided throughout the day. In a country where waterborne illness and poor sanitation are among the leading causes of childhood sickness, these basics prevent far more illness than any treatment we could provide afterwards.
Caregivers are present around the clock. There is never a period during the day or night when children are unsupervised. Caregivers know each child by name, know their history, know which children need extra attention, and know when something is wrong.
Food and daily nutrition
Children receive three prepared meals a day, along with a mid-afternoon snack. Meals are cooked on site in a dedicated kitchen and planned around the nutritional needs of growing children rather than the cheapest available ingredients.
A typical day includes rice, lentils, seasonal vegetables and a protein source. Fish, meat and eggs are provided regularly through the week, along with milk for younger children and fruit when in season. Portions are adjusted by age. Children who arrive underweight or who are recovering from illness receive additional meals and supplementary nutrition until their weight and strength return to a healthy level.
Mealtimes are taken together. Children eat in a shared dining area, older children help serve younger ones, and the routine of eating together at fixed times gives structure to the day and a sense of belonging that matters as much as the food itself.
Clothing and personal necessities
Every child is provided with seasonal clothing appropriate to the weather — lighter clothing for the summer months, warm clothing and blankets for winter. Children receive footwear, school uniforms, sleepwear and everyday clothes, all replaced as they grow or wear out.
Personal hygiene supplies — soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, hair oil, sanitary supplies for older girls — are provided continuously rather than as occasional distributions. Each child has a designated space for their own belongings, which matters more than it might appear: for a child who has owned nothing, having a place that is theirs is a small but meaningful recovery of dignity.
Daily routine and structure
Children who have experienced loss and instability need predictability. Our daily routine is fixed and consistent: waking and morning prayer, breakfast, school, a midday meal, supervised afternoon rest and recreation, evening study hours, evening prayer, dinner and lights out.
Within that structure there is room for childhood. Children play in the open areas of the facility, take part in indoor games and sports, and have access to books and recreational activities. Older children take on small responsibilities — helping in the kitchen, supervising younger children’s study hour, keeping shared areas tidy — which builds a sense of contribution and prepares them for independent life.
Building a sense of family
An orphanage that functions only as an institution fails the children in it. Our aim is to create something closer to a household.
Caregivers stay with the children long-term rather than rotating in and out. Children form relationships with adults who know them, remember their history and remain present through the years. Older children look after younger ones, and sibling groups are never separated. Friendships formed inside the facility often last well beyond it.
Occasions are marked together. Eid is celebrated with new clothes, special meals and gatherings. Independence Day, Victory Day and Pahela Baishakh are observed. Birthdays are noted and celebrated, often sponsored by donors who choose to fund a special meal in a family member’s memory. These moments give children the ordinary experiences of childhood that they would otherwise miss entirely.
Safeguarding and child protection
Every adult who works at or visits our facility is screened before being permitted contact with children. Caregivers, teachers, volunteers and visitors operate under a written child protection policy that governs supervision, conduct, discipline and privacy.
Physical punishment is prohibited. Discipline is handled through discussion, guidance and consistent expectations. Children are told clearly whom to speak to if they are uncomfortable or mistreated, and any complaint is investigated.
Visitors are admitted by prior appointment only. We do not permit unannounced visits, unsupervised contact with children, or photography that identifies individual children without consent. These rules occasionally frustrate well-meaning donors, but they exist because the children’s safety is not negotiable.
The cost of keeping a child housed
Residential care is our largest and most constant expense. Accommodation, food, utilities, clothing, caregiver salaries and facility maintenance continue every single day of the year regardless of how donations happen to be flowing in a given month.
This is why regular, predictable giving matters more to us than large one-time gifts. A monthly sponsor allows us to plan — to commit to a child’s place, to hire and keep experienced caregivers, to maintain the facility properly rather than deferring repairs. Donors who give monthly, however modest the amount, are the reason we can promise a child a permanent home rather than a temporary one.
Frequently asked questions
How are children admitted into residential care? Children are referred by local authorities, community leaders, relatives, mosques or well-wishers. We verify each case before admission to confirm the child is genuinely orphaned or destitute and has no guardian able to provide for them.
Are boys and girls housed together? No. Boys and girls have entirely separate accommodation, each supervised by dedicated caregivers.
How long can a child stay? As long as they need to. Children generally remain with us through their schooling and vocational training, until they are able to support themselves.
Are siblings kept together? Yes. Sibling groups are never separated.
Can I visit the facility? Yes, by prior appointment. Unannounced visits are not permitted, in order to protect the children’s routine and privacy.
Can I donate food or supplies instead of money? Yes. Rice, lentils, cooking oil, clothing, blankets and hygiene supplies are always needed. Please contact us first so we can confirm current requirements.