Child Sponsorship & Child Rights Programme
ActionAid Bangladesh’s Child Sponsorship and Child Rights Programme (CSCRP) is deeply committed to the holistic development, protection, and empowerment of children, particularly those from marginalised communities. This integrated programme combines child sponsorship with strong advocacy, addressing pressing issues like child labour, child marriage, lack of education, and systemic injustices that restrict children’s rights and opportunities.
Background
A key focus of the programme is community-based child-centered initiatives, where children actively participate in Local Rights Programs (LRPs). These initiatives raise awareness on critical issues such as child protection, climate change, early childhood education, and other child-centered issues. CSCRP empowers them to advocate for their rights and the welfare of their peers. It nurtures future leaders who actively challenge the barriers that affect their communities.
In addition to local initiatives, ActionAid Bangladesh plays a significant role in influencing national and global child rights policies. It is an active member of influential coalitions such as the Child Rights Advocacy Coalition Bangladesh (CRACB), the National Girl Child Advocacy Forum (NGCAF), the Child Protection Cluster, and the Child Labor Monitoring Committee. These collaborations encourage collective action, advocacy for systemic change and ensure that children’s rights are prioritised at every level – local, national, and global. Through these partnerships, ActionAid provides immediate support and also works to reform policies that address the root causes of child rights violations and ensure a better future for every child.
Children currently in friendship through sponsorship: 15,000+
Our Uniqueness
Helping women and girls is the best way to end global poverty. Child sponsorship is the first step towards achieving this goal. Starting with children – not just girls but boys too and including their parents in our drive to empower and unite people for greater things to happen.
Child Participation & Protection
Capacity Building Initiative for Children
Child Sponsorship
Make an Impact
Your donation helps us empower communities, fight poverty, and create lasting change. Every contribution makes a real impact in people's lives.
Networks
Networks
Impact Stories
Impact Stories
From Struggle To Strength: Sayed Hossain’s Journey Of Change
When Sayed Hossain fled violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State in August 2017, he arrived in Bangladesh with nothing but hope for survival. He and his family settled in Camp-24 of the Rohingya refugee settlement in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, where life was harsh and uncertain. “Everything was uncertain for my family,” Sayed recalled. Their shelter was cramped and unhygienic, with inadequate water and sanitation facilities and no waste management, making daily life a struggle for basic needs. Beyond these hardships, the camp faced severe environmental challenges. The Cox’s Bazar–Teknaf peninsula, home to some of Bangladesh’s most important forests, had lost over 3,200 hectares of land due to the influx of refugees. This deforestation caused soil erosion, unstable slopes, and a greater risk of landslides and flash floods, creating an urgent need to restore greenery and protect biodiversity. Determined to change his situation, Sayed Hossain joined Natural Resource Management (NRM) activities, supported by ActionAid Bangladesh as a cooperating partner of the World Food Programme (WFP). Through Reforestation Care and Maintenance (RCM), he began planting and nurturing trees in Camp-24, his living area, work that not only restored degraded land but also strengthened ecological resilience. These efforts form part of a broader mission: “Strengthening natural resource management for creating resilient communities, supporting livelihoods, and promoting environmental sustainability.” For Sayed, this opportunity was transformative. He now works with dignity, earns a stable income, and actively contributes to environmental restoration. The Cash-for-Work approach has provided financial security for his family. “We may have lost our country, but not our hope. Real change starts from us,” he said with determination. His participation in training sessions has improved his knowledge and confidence, turning him into a community motivator who inspires others to keep their surroundings clean and safe. “I feel proud that I can help my community and make a difference,” Sayed shared. Today, Sayed stands as an example of resilience and leadership. From a life of fear and dependency, he has become a confident, responsible individual who supports both his family and his community. His story reflects the power of integrated approaches, combining livelihood support with ecological restoration, to create lasting impact. Through NRM, individuals like Sayed are not only rebuilding their lives but also safeguarding critical ecosystems for future generations.
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Impact Stories
From Struggle To Stability: Arefa’s Journey To Self-reliance
Since the onset of the Rohingya crisis, thousands of displaced families have been living in overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar, struggling to meet basic needs. Among them is Arefa Begum, a 25-year-old mother of two, residing in Camp 27. Her family’s situation worsened when her husband, once a day labourer, became permanently disabled after an accident. With no steady income, Arefa faced severe hardship. She juggled her children’s education, medical expenses, and rent, but survival became increasingly difficult. “I could not pay rent or buy food. Every day felt like a battle,” she recalls. As the sole caregiver and unskilled worker, she had no means to earn, leaving her family vulnerable to food insecurity and debt. The situation changed when ActionAid Bangladesh, as a cooperating partner of the World Food Programme (WFP), introduced the Natural Resource Management (NRM) project in the Rohingya camps. The initiative aimed to restore the environment while creating livelihood opportunities for vulnerable groups, especially women. Through cash-for-work activities and hands-on training in nature-based solutions and environmental management, participants could earn and learn simultaneously. Arefa was selected as an unskilled participant and placed in supervised teams. Within three months, she gained practical skills and began earning a regular income. This steady income allowed her to buy medication, pay rent, afford her children’s schooling, and cover household essentials without hardship. She is confident now. “My work has given me dignity and hope. I no longer struggle to provide for my family,” she says with pride. Today, Arefa is recognised in her community as a resilient mother who overcame adversity. Her contribution not only supports her family but also helps maintain environmental balance in the camp. Her journey from dependency to self-reliance demonstrates the transformative power of livelihood interventions. Arefa’s story reflects the success of the NRM Project in empowering women and promoting sustainable development. By combining environmental restoration with income generation, the project has broken cycles of poverty and despair, giving displaced families a chance to rebuild their lives with dignity and confidence.
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Impact Stories
From Despair To Confidence – The Story Of Mohammed Ismail
Mohammed Ismail, a resident of Camp-25, was born with a physical disability that prevents him from walking. Throughout his life, he faced relentless challenges. His condition led to repeated rejection from jobs, social exclusion, and often being treated with pity or ignored altogether. Struggling with money and feeling rejected by society made each day difficult, slowly breaking down his confidence and self-worth. Mohammed Ismail often felt ignored. “I truly believed no one would ever give me a chance to work, to contribute,” he once reflected. “My disability felt like an undefeatable wall, blocking every path.” However, in 2025, Mohammed Ismail’s life took a positive turn when he was offered a role in the NRM project’s Drainage Cleaning Activity (DCA). Although his mobility was limited, which had previously kept him out of many traditional workplaces, the project created tailored roles and fostered a supportive environment. His peers welcomed him, helping him gradually overcome the barriers he had long faced. Through this meaningful work, Ismail not only found a way to support his family financially but also began to rebuild his shattered confidence. Becoming an earning member of his family filled him with pride and a renewed sense of purpose The Natural Resource Management (NRM) project, implemented by ActionAid as a cooperating partner of the WFP, has become a beacon of hope for thousands of displaced individuals. Designed to strengthen natural resource management, the initiative promotes resilient communities, supports sustainable livelihoods, and champions environmental sustainability. A key focus of the project is the inclusion of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. Through activities like the Drainage Cleaning Activity (DCA), the project not only encourages community engagement but also creates vital income-generating opportunities, reflecting a truly inclusive and empowering approach. As a direct result of this opportunity, Mohammed Ismail now earns a steady income, providing essential support for his family. His self-esteem has soared, and he has gained newfound respect within his community. Through his dedicated work, Ismail has rediscovered purpose, fully regained his confidence, and is experiencing a profound and positive transformation in his life. “When I first started working at DCA, I couldn’t believe that I could support my family on my own,” Ismail shares with a proud smile. “Now I am not only earning, but can also proudly say—I can. This confidence is the biggest achievement of my life.” Ismail’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience and the impact of inclusive opportunities. His transformation has inspired others with disabilities in the camp to take part in similar activities, creating a ripple effect of hope and inclusion. Mohammed Ismail stands as living proof that with dignity and opportunity, every individual can contribute and thrive.
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