Helpless mother sells her hair to feed children, pay rent

In the struggle to survive with her two children, Rehana Khatun, a helpless woman from Rampal in Bagerhat, managed to raise just Tk 500 by selling her hair. She had to sell her last possession — her hair — to pay the house rent.

Rehana Khatun's husband abandoned her with their two children long ago. Since then, she has been struggling to make ends meet with her children. With no permanent shelter, she moved between relatives' homes and rented small shanties.

Unable to pay rent for a long time, Rehana recently lost that shelter as well. She now lives in the open under the sky with her two children on government land beside the Khulna-Mongla railway line.

With local help, Rehana erected a bamboo frame for a house. Although the frame has been standing for months, she could not afford tin sheets and walls to complete it. As a result, she and her children are living a miserable life under the sun, rain and storms.

Local resident Ferdousi Begum said Rehana was temporarily staying at a nearby house as she had no place to live. One day, she noticed Rehana's hair was gone and asked why. In a tearful voice, Rehana said she had sold her hair to pay Tk 500 in rent.

Local resident Taleb Sheikh said Rehana's condition is extremely pitiful. Her husband left her with two children long ago. He called on the government to arrange a house for the helpless family.

Another local, Mahidul Islam, said Rehana already has the bamboo frame ready. Only tin sheets and walls are needed to complete the house. If wealthy locals and the administration come forward, a safe shelter could be built for the family.

Rehana does not dream of a luxurious house. Her dream is to have a small tin-roofed house where she can sleep peacefully at night and protect her children from rain and sun.

In a tearful voice, Rehana Khatun said, "I can't bear to look at my children's faces. We have no home, we struggle for food. I was helpless, so I sold my hair. I ask the government for help."

Locals have demanded that a house be arranged for Rehana quickly under the government's housing project. They also called on the wealthy and humanitarian members of society to stand by the family.

Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Golam M. Baten said he was not aware of the matter. However, he said the district administration would take necessary steps after looking into the matter.