Ladies Colne Hike - Build the Rising Star Academy Classroom - Bangladesh

Bangladesh is home to nearly 60 million children, yet millions are being left behind in education, safety, and basic wellbeing. The situation is stark: 4.8 million children are orphans, and 3.4 million have no parental care or stable home. As the document states, “A large number of children cannot afford uninterrupted education during childhood and adolescence.” These children face daily instability that makes completing school almost impossible. By supporting the Colne Hike, donors directly help address this overwhelming gap for some of the world’s most vulnerable young people.

Educational exclusion is rising at an alarming rate. According to the data, 28% of children are out of school, 30% of girls aged 15+ struggle with basic literacy, and 28% of children suffer from stunting due to severe malnutrition, which severely affects learning. The document highlights that “the older children become, the more likely they are to drop out of school, often permanently.” In districts like Netrokona, dropout rates exceed 44%, with many other regions showing similarly devastating trends. These numbers are not just statistics—they represent futures lost unless urgent action is taken.

Poverty, climate shocks, and lack of support systems push children out of classrooms and into labour. Nearly 20 million children are exposed to climate hazards such as floods and cyclones, repeatedly disrupting schooling and displacing families. As the document notes, “Environmental shocks repeatedly interrupt education and accelerate dropout.” Without safe housing, nutrition, or structured learning environments, vulnerable children simply cannot remain in school. The Colne Hike aims to raise funds to change this reality by supporting a project designed specifically to protect and educate these children.

Funds raised through the Colne Hike will help build and equip a classroom within the Rising Star Academy—an integrated education and boarding complex created for orphans and vulnerable children. This project provides contemporary education, Islamic studies, vocational training, nutrition, healthcare, and safe residential care under one roof. The document explains that this model “directly addresses the root causes of dropout, exclusion, and poor learning outcomes.” By contributing, donors help create a stable, nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and reclaim their futures.