We are looking to upgrade the living condition of a 100 years+ old Muslim Orphanage (Salimullah Orphanage) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. There are approximately 114 students who live in a challenging condition who do not have access to clean drinking water and they share a single toilet which needs upgrading.

Salimullah Orphanage established in Dhaka by Nawab Sir Salimullah in 1909 was initially known as Islamia Orphanage. In 1909, the Sardars, eminent citizens who were appointed by Nawab Sir Salimullah to maintain law and order in different parts of Dhaka city brought to him the sad plight of orphans in the city to which he responded immediately by establishing an orphanage next to his own residence.

The orphanage would provide protection and education to orphans till they reached adulthood. The entire expenditure was borne by the Nawab from his zakat(alms) fund. Later the orphanage moved from its first establishment near the Nawab’s residence to a rented house in Lalbagh, an old residential area established during the Mughal period. The pioneering work by the Nawab encouraged the Muslim elite than to donate landed property as well as a residential dwelling in Dhaka city for the orphanage, in addition to the zakat, fitra and sadquah(different types of alms) for the maintenance of the orphanage.

The Salimullah Orphanage provides education to orphans between the ages of six and 18. They receive board and lodging, education and health care, as well as vocational education for those who are interested. The orphanage provides general education from primary to higher secondary, as well as religious, moral and civic education. After the age of 18, the orphan must leave the institution but will be assisted in his/her further study, or to seek employment, and rehabilitation.