Arifa Akhtar has excelled academically despite facing numerous challenges. She has received Talentpool scholarships in both her primary and junior certificate exams.
Her father is a rickshaw puller, and her mother is a seamstress who struggles to make ends meet. They have taken out NGO loans and pawned their meagre jewellery to fund Arifa’s education. Despite these obstacles, Arifa has been offered a place at Barisal Medical College.
Arifa, the eldest daughter of Sheikh Asaduzaman, a rickshaw puller, and Hamima Akhtar, a homemaker, from Gopalpur Union in Chuadanga Upazila, Bagerhat, is a brilliant student. While her family is overjoyed at her success, they are now anxious about her enrolment.
Arifa’s family shared that she has consistently excelled academically despite facing numerous challenges. She received Talentpool scholarships in both her primary and junior certificate exams. She was passionate about studying from a young age and had always dreamed of becoming a doctor, fulfilling her father’s wish.
Arifa’s father said he drove his rickshaw daily to take Arifa from Chuadanga to Bagerhat Government Girls’ School and back. He also mentioned that his younger daughter is in the sixth grade, and despite their financial hardships, they have never stopped supporting their daughter’s education.
In 2022, Arifa secured a GPA-5 (Golden) in her SSC exams from Bagerhat Government Girls’ School and subsequently enrolled at Bagerhat Government College with the dream of becoming a doctor. In 2024, she obtained an A+ (Golden) in her HSC exams and secured a place at Barisal Medical College.
To support Arifa’s education thus far, her parents have taken out loans worth two lakh taka from banks and NGOs and even pawned their jewellery. With an existing loan burden, it is nearly impossible for her impoverished parents to afford the fees for medical school. While the family is elated about Arifa’s achievement, they are deeply worried about how they will fund her medical education.
Sheikh Asaduzaman said, “I can’t even write my name. When my daughter was in her mother’s womb, I couldn’t sign the hospital documents. Since then, I have dreamed of making my daughter a doctor, no matter how difficult it might be. Allah has fulfilled my dream. No one is happier than me.”
Arifa’s mother, Hamima Akhtar, said, “Due to my daughter’s immense passion for studying, we never stopped her education despite our financial difficulties. Even though my husband and I often went without food, we never compromised on her education. Arifa has always dreamed of becoming a doctor since she was young.”
Despite their joy, the family worries about Arifa’s enrolment and continued education. The two lakh taka loan burden and the hefty medical school fees are beyond their means. Therefore, they appeal to the well-to-do members of society and the college authorities to help fulfil Arifa’s dream of becoming a doctor.