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21 Jan 2025

Riva’s Story: A Journey of Inspiration

Her strength became hope, how she inspired us...

In a quiet rented home in Bangladesh, 14-year-old Riva Akhtar lives with her mother, three brothers, and three sisters. Their home is filled with love, but it’s also marked by struggle. Riva’s life changed forever when she lost her father at the tender age of nine—a loss that took her protector and left her family without an income or a path forward.

Her mother, a woman of remarkable strength, stepped into a role she never imagined. With six children to care for and no inheritance left behind, she began working in other people’s homes just to keep her family afloat. Day after day, she worked tirelessly to put food on the table and ensure her children could survive, but the weight of the world rested heavily on her shoulders. For a child like Riva, this hardship could have easily been the end of her dreams.

But it wasn’t.

When Mercy Without Limits began sponsoring Riva just one year ago, a glimmer of hope entered her life. For the first time in years, there was light in the darkness. It wasn’t just about money; it was about possibility. Riva received the support she needed to attend school, equipped with supplies that fueled her desire to learn. For a girl who had known nothing but sacrifice, those school books were more than paper and ink—they were a symbol that someone believed in her.

second-image Distributing hot meals to those in need.

Her visits to the orphan center brought moments of joy that had long been missing. From drawing and coloring activities that nurtured her creativity to carnivals and recreational trips that allowed her to simply be a child.

The walls that hardship had built around her slowly started to crumble as laughter, learning, and moments of pride returned to her life.

But Riva’s favorite moments are the honor ceremonies, where high-achieving children like herself are recognized for their hard work. For Riva, it is more than a celebration; it’s validation that her dreams matter—that her story isn’t defined by loss or hardship but by her resilience and determination to succeed.

Her mother, despite the exhaustion of her daily work, looks at Riva with pride. The weight she carries may still be heavy, but knowing her daughter has a future gives her strength to keep going. It’s a mother’s love and a daughter’s determination that shine through even in the darkest of circumstances.

Sponsor an orphan like Riva today!