Shwapno, which describes itself as Bangladesh’s largest retail chain, has decided to provide a cow to the family of two young sisters found alone by a roadside in Cumilla, aiming to create a sustainable source of income through livestock rearing and milk sales.
The company announced the initiative on Wednesday, three days after five-year-old Israt and her 18-month-old sister, Roza Moni, were found crying near Rose Garden Model School in Dakshin Bazar of Brahmanpara upazila on the afternoon of 11 October, Shwapno said in a press release.
According to Israt, their mother had brought them to the area on the pretext of buying chips before leaving them alone.
The children waited for a long time, but their mother did not return, leaving them in a distressed and vulnerable situation.
Local residents subsequently circulated photographs and videos of the sisters on social media to establish their identities. After learning about the incident, one of their paternal aunts arrived and took the children into her care with assistance from local people.
Shwapno said it decided to support the family after learning about the children’s circumstances.
The retailer expects the cow to help the household generate regular income from livestock rearing and milk sales, contributing to the sisters’ upbringing and providing greater financial security.
The initiative forms part of Shwapno’s corporate social responsibility efforts, which focus on supporting vulnerable people and helping families become self-reliant alongside its retail operations.
The company said supporting vulnerable families was also important for ensuring children’s safety and long-term wellbeing.
Through the assistance, Shwapno hopes to bring lasting improvements to the family’s livelihood and help secure a better future for the two sisters.
