Eid is a time of joy, new clothes, and celebrating with loved ones. But for many children, this festive season can also bring quiet worries. Keya, a 12-year-old student at Kurigram Special School who has speech and hearing impairments, is one such child. Her father works as a van driver, and considering the family’s limited financial means, Keya knew that buying the outfit she truly wanted for Eid might not be possible.
This Eid, however, turned out to be different. Through sign language communicated via the head teacher, Keya shared how happy she felt to choose her own outfit. The school’s head teacher explained that while students occasionally receive donated Eid clothes from various organizations, this experience was completely different. This time, the children were able to choose their own outfits according to their preferences—creating a unique and joyful moment for them.
Ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, the ‘Guardian Eid Market’ was organized for more than 1,000 children from marginalized communities and children with disabilities, including Keya. The initiative was organized by Guardian Life Insurance Limited with the support of Bangladesh Youth Organization (BYO) Development Foundation.
The Guardian Eid Market was held across 13 districts of the country—Kurigram, Gazipur, Mymensingh, Bhola, Bogura, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Cumilla, Dhaka, Rangpur, Gaibandha, Barishal, and Tangail. Through this initiative, children were offered a unique experience where they could explore different outfits and select their preferred Eid clothing themselves.
Detepriya Roy Chowdhury, Senior Assistant Vice President of Guardian Life Insurance Limited, said, “When a child has the opportunity to choose something according to their own preference, it not only brings joy but also builds their confidence. We are delighted to be part of such a humanitarian initiative.”
Zihad Akanda, Founder and Executive Director of BYO Development Foundation, said,
“With BYO’s initiative and the support of Guardian Life, one thousand children were able to receive Eid outfits in their preferred colors and designs. We are implementing this program across different locations in 13 districts of the country.”
During Eid, shopping malls and markets often become crowded with people from middle- and upper-income communities preparing for the celebrations. Yet for many children from marginalized backgrounds, the joy of wearing new clothes during Eid often remains out of reach. Guardian Life’s compassionate initiative brought a different experience to that reality.
Receiving new clothes before Eid brought visible excitement and happiness to the children, touching the hearts of everyone present. Their joyful smiles became the greatest reward of the initiative. The organizers’ unique effort has also received appreciation and positive responses from local communities, further encouraging empathy and a spirit of compassion within society.
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