Breaking Barriers: Moriyam’s Story of Hope, Resilience, and Schooling

Moriyam, a 10-year-old adolescent girl, lives in Teknaf sub-district, Cox’s Bazar. She is the eldest of three children, living with her parents. Her father was a seasonal fisherman and her mother a housewife. Together, they struggled to provide even the basic needs for their children. The family’s monthly income ranged between only 4,000 to 5,000 BDT, making it nearly impossible to afford school supplies, let alone consistent access to education.

Moriyam, a 10-year-old adolescent girl, lives in Teknaf sub-district, Cox’s Bazar. She is the eldest of three children, living with her parents. Her father was a seasonal fisherman and her mother a housewife. Together, they struggled to provide even the basic needs for their children. The family’s monthly income ranged between only 4,000 to 5,000 BDT, making it nearly impossible to afford school supplies, let alone consistent access to education. 

Moriyam was first enrolled in a local madrasa, but her education was interrupted when she had to drop out in Class 1 due to her family’s worsening financial situation. Although she later re-enrolled, her journey through education remained uncertain and inconsistent. 

With no stable means to support her schooling and limited value placed on education due to her parents’ own lack of formal education Moriyam’s dream of becoming a teacher felt increasingly out of reach. 

“I always dreamed of becoming a good teacher,” Moriyam shared,“But I thought dreams like mine don’t come true for girls like us.” 

Despite the barriers, Moriyam started attending the Child-Friendly Space (CFS) under the “Joining Forces for Food Security & Child Protection in Emergencies” project. Through these sessions, she learned about her rights, life skills, and the importance of education. Meeting other children, including her younger sister, who was also studying, further inspired her. 

“At the CFS, I saw that girls like me can have a different future. I didn’t want to give up,” she said. 

To address the economic constraints, local implementin partner BITA provided Moriyam’s family with Cash & Voucher Assistance support that enabled her mother to start a small poultry business. With a stable source of income from selling chickens, the family began to recover financially. For the first time, they could afford to send both Moriyam and her younger sister back to school.

This financial intervention not only removed the immediate barriers to education but also built a sense of security and pride within the household.

“We didn’t have to choose between food and school anymore, said Moriyam’s mother. 
“We could support our daughters without asking for help.” 

The intervention brought about a positive shift in the family’s outlook, building hope for a better future through education and economic resilience. 

Moriyam is now in Class Four and attending school regularly. She is back on track with her education, gaining confidence and developing the leadership skills she always dreamed of. Her family is more supportive than ever, with her parents encouraging her ambition to become a teacher one day.

“Now, I feel proud when I wear my uniform,” Moriyam says with a smile. 
“One day, I will teach children who were just like me.” 

Her younger sister is also continuing her studies, making education a new family priority. The poultry business continues to provide the family with sustainable income, proving that small but meaningful support can create long-lasting impact. 

“This project didn’t just help us survive it helped us believe again,” her mother said with emotion. 

Moriyam’s story is a powerful example of how targeted, community-driven interventions combining child protection, education, and livelihood can change the course of a child’s life. With the right support, even a girl who dropped out in Class 1 from a remote village now dreams not only of learning but of teaching others.