Anika Akter - Anika: A Whisper of Hope, a Song of Tomorrow
01 January 2014
Anika is 11 years old, and her young life has already been filled with deep pain. She quietly shares that her mother, Shirina, was killed by her father, Shahabuddin. After that terrible day, he left her behind—alone in the world. Losing her mother was heartbreaking enough, but being abandoned by her father made her world fall apart.
Even so, Anika holds on to the memories of her mother and baby sister with love. She is a quiet, shy girl—but her gentle nature and soft smile have touched every heart at Umbrelă Home.
Anika finds joy in life’s little things—ice cream, milk, rice pudding, and juicy lychees. She loves to play with dolls and toy cars. Like every child, she too has dreams.
Before coming to Umbrelă, Anika had never been to school. At the age of five, she was enrolled at Lime Light Grammar School. In the early days, it was hard for her to adjust. Sometimes, she would become restless or withdrawn. Even now, she struggles with her emotions from time to time. Our team realized that she needed special counseling and care to help her heal—and we’ve been walking that path with her ever since.
Since joining Umbrelă, Anika has made incredible progress. Today, she is in Class Four and doing well in her studies. She also enjoys sports, drawing, and creative activities. Most importantly, she feels safe, valued, and loved here. Umbrelă has become her home—and in this safe space, her dreams have started to grow.
Anika now has a big dream: she wants to become a teacher—and one day, the Head of a school. She says, “I want to help other children learn and feel safe, just like I do at Umbrelă.”
Thanks to your love and support, Anika is smiling again. She is dreaming of a bright future, full of hope.
If her story touched your heart, stay with her a little longer. Let your kindness be the wind beneath her dreams, as she quietly builds a future from all the pieces of her past.