Beth Jennings has recently opened up a center providing shelter, education and vocational training for homeless women and their children here in Dhaka. CUP which stands for Children's Uplift Programme is strategically located blocks away from an area similar to a town square where many people gather to shop or pray, or for the homeless, sleep. It is not safe and many are abused and sexually exploited. It is a desperate situation as many of these young women are young mothers with one or more small children. Many have no husbands or have been abandoned. Some are widowed, some have run away from even worse living situations. Some have turned to prostitution as a means to provide food for themselves and their children. After spending time with women on the streets and talking to other NGOs, Beth decided that what they needed was a safe place. Regardless of their circumstances or what lead them there, all are in need of a nutritious meal, a warm shower and a place to feel safe and loved.
CUP is truly a shelter. The space is clean and welcoming. It smells like something is always simmering in the kitchen. Within minutes, a child will be pulling on your pant leg. Old saris are stacked colorfully in corners about the shelter waiting to be sewed in to kantha blankets. Many women here are learning to make these traditional blankets which are sold through partner organizations such as Hand & Cloth to produce income for the women. In addition to vocational training, many are learning to read and write for the first time in their life. They also learn to make seed bead jewelry and are busily threading string after string of colorful beads. Some have babies in their laps or nestled in blankets near by. In the next room, their children are playing, sleeping, eating or are just taking it all in. There are also educational programs for the children that aren't able to attend school. Above all else, it is clear that the focus here is on love. And for many, it is the first time in their lives they have ever felt loved.
Beth said that when CUP first opened, the women were very territorial and harsh towards one another and their children. During lunch they would never sit together, instead protecting their food. You live with a different set of rules on the street, so when kindness is shown to you, you expect it too will be taken away. Trust is hard to rebuild and habits die hard. CUP mandates that if the women commit to the program which provides a salary for the products they produce, they must take apartments and leave the streets, thus initiating a two-sided commitment. As the center has shown its steadfast support for each of the women, they see that this place is different, that this love is real and that their lives can change.
Every day is different and full of challenges, but the transformation that Beth has seen in these women's lives over the last year is enough to keep her committed to these women and the many others CUP hopes to reach through eventually opening up another center. The time I spent with Beth and these courageous women was so inspiring. Not speaking any Bangla, they welcomed me to sit among them, hold their babies, communicating with laughter and love and creativity. Beauty found!
To read more about CUP and how you can support its mighty work, visit:
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