Programs of Alokayon

“Alokayon” is the name of a successful initiative undertaken by enlightened individuals with the aim of ensuring the worldly and eternal well-being of some of the most marginalized and extremely poor members of society. It seeks to support those who are helpless and destitute—like a rudderless sailboat adrift without direction.

As a worker of Alokayon, I have had the privilege of associating with noble individuals whose sincere dedication has enabled the organization to advance steadily, step by step, toward its cherished goals. Through their tireless efforts, Alokayon now stands firmly established and continues to illuminate the lives of underprivileged people in society. I gratefully acknowledge their relentless hard work and invaluable contributions.

Being involved with Alokayon has given me the opportunity to work closely with some of the most marginalized families—those who are guardianless, destitute, uneducated, unaware, and living in extreme poverty. Observing them from close proximity allowed me to better understand the true causes of their suffering and helplessness. Since joining Alokayon, I have carefully monitored each affiliated family, striving to identify the root causes of their distress and to seek possible remedies.

Ongoing investigations have revealed several significant findings that have helped identify the underlying causes of their impoverishment. It has been observed that most of these families once managed to survive on modest day-to-day earnings. Although they had little or no savings, they were able to meet their basic needs. However, the sudden death of the family’s primary breadwinner disrupted this fragile stability. Widowed women, left without guardianship and burdened with orphaned minor children, found themselves in dire circumstances. The situation becomes even more complex when among the children there are infants or individuals with disabilities. Altogether, they become completely helpless and directionless.

At such a vulnerable moment, various NGOs and financial institutions often approach them under the guise of assistance. By offering promises of support and self-reliance, they entangle them in the dangerous web of installment-based loans. Unable to resist the temptation, many fall into the trap of debt. Subsequently, they become burdened with weekly, biweekly, or monthly repayments. Due to a lack of awareness about the worldly and spiritual consequences of interest-based transactions, they gradually lose their remaining assets, become homeless, and in some cases are compelled to resort to begging or other degrading means of survival.

In such circumstances, many eventually seek assistance from Alokayon through various channels. Despite its strong commitment, Alokayon’s limited resources make it impossible to fully meet the vast needs of these extremely poor individuals. Nevertheless, the organization continues striving to alleviate their suffering to the best of its ability.

In recent years, within its limited capacity, Alokayon has undertaken the following initiatives:

• Educational Assistance: Providing admission fees, tuition fees, and examination fees to orphaned and meritorious students studying at schools, colleges, universities, and Hifz (Qur’an memorization) institutions.
• Distribution of Educational Materials: Supplying notebooks, pens, and books annually to poor and talented students.
• Alokayon School: Recently establishing “Alokayon Pathshala” in Rasulbag Slum, Nakhalpara, Dhaka, to bring educational opportunities to underprivileged slum children.
• Medical Assistance: Offering treatment support to the destitute, persons with disabilities, and patients suffering from serious illnesses such as cancer and kidney diseases.
• Health Protection: Distributing masks and sanitary supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Iftar Distribution: Providing iftar items annually to approximately 120–150 extremely poor and elderly families during Ramadan who otherwise cannot afford a proper meal to break their fast.
• One-Time Livelihood Support: Distributing ducklings and chicks as income-generating support to alleviate poverty.
• Allowance for Elderly Widows: Providing stipends to widowed women who do not receive government allowances.
• Poultry Support: Distributing duck and chicken chicks to 50 families for livelihood assistance.
• Livestock Support: Providing goats and dairy cows to unemployed youth and women to create income-generating opportunities.
• Sewing Machine Distribution: Supplying sewing machines to widowed women to help them achieve self-reliance.
• Winter Clothing Distribution: Distributing blankets and shawls annually among extremely poor individuals and widows in Dhaka, Noakhali, and northern regions.
• Tree Plantation Program: Distributing saplings of coconut, guava, lemon, areca nut, and other fruit trees to promote self-employment and environmental sustainability.
• Library Establishment: Distributing Islamic and moral educational books to ensure that people receive authentic teachings of Islam and are not misled into extremism or militancy.
• Marriage Assistance for Orphan Girls: Providing financial support for the marriage of orphaned girls.

I sincerely hope and believe that compassionate and enlightened individuals will extend their support further and assist in expanding the scope of Alokayon’s activities. Insha’Allah, through our collective efforts, we can build a humane, happy, and prosperous Bangladesh.

May Allah grant everyone good health and keep us steadfast on the path of guidance. May the mission and benefits of Alokayon spread to every corner of the country—this is my earnest prayer and expectation.

Md. Abdul Matin

Vice Chairman, Alokayon