Mushfika Afrin Ishiqa - On the way to hope :)
17 September 2008 (Age: 15)
It was September 17, 2008, Ms Ruma noticed a little girl (about four years old) following her at Dewanhaat, Chattogram, while she was on her way back home along with her son returning from his college.
The girl couldn’t even tell her name when Ruma asked about her. So, feeling heartbroken and worried seeing the young child in worn-out clothes with dirt marks and rashes all over her body, Ruma decided to temporarily take her in and try to reach out for help to the locals. The commissioner reunites the girl with her family. But when she failed to do that, she took custody of the girl out of humanity. She gave her a new name: Ishika. However, people did reach out from the neighbourhood to take the girl in; but fearing that they might take Ishika as a housemaid, Ruma did not allow them to take her. Over time, she began to take care of Ishika as she would of her own children. And Ishika started going to school and identifying Ruma as her mother. She was finally happy and had an actual childhood worth looking back on. From nursery till fifth grade, Ishika was in the care of her foster parent. But as days passed, Ruma realized that she could not take care of Ishika properly anymore. Because Ruma had begun a full-time job – which kept her away from home at most times, she became more anxious when local ruffian targeted and followed Ishika. Desperately wanting the best for Ishika and her future, Ruma contacted Umbrelă Foundation and explained the situation. Therein, Umbrelă made Ishika part of its family in December of 2019.
Ishika is an introverted girl. But she likes to seek attention. She is fond of older women– calls them grandmother; this indicates that she had lived for some time with her grandmother until Ruma found her. Ruma’s family would hear her say at times that she had two mothers – one with a round face and another with a long one. Ishika could never recall anything other than that. She still knows her foster family as her own family.
After coming to Umbrelă, she took time to adapt to this new life. She would seem to be sad at times. We would try to console and motivate her to feel at home and happy. Over time, Ishika did overcome this feeling.
Ishika likes to have fun and listen to music. She is good at drawing and painting. Her aim in life is to become a doctor.
And with your continued help, Ishika surely can reach her full potential in life.