A young woman, who was found abandoned at the bustling Sylhet Railway Station as a frightened four-year-old child, has begun a new chapter in life – 14 years later – after being married in an emotional ceremony arranged by the very institution that once gave her shelter.
Swapna Akter, now 18, tied the knot on Wednesday at the Integrated Child Rehabilitation Centre in Shibganj of Sylhet city, operated under the Department of Social Services.
For many, attending the ceremony was more than a wedding – it was the culmination of a journey marked by resilience, care and hope.
Swapna was rescued from Sylhet Railway Station in 2012 when she was just four years old. Unable even to properly say her own name, the frightened child had no family by her side and no clear future ahead.
After being taken to the rehabilitation centre, officials later discovered that both of her parents had died, making family reunification impossible.
She was subsequently raised at the centre, enrolled in school and supported throughout her education. She successfully passed her Secondary School Certificate examinations in 2025.
Assistant Director of the divisional social services office SM Moktar Hossain said the wedding was arranged with Swapna’s full consent after she turned 18.
“We wanted to ensure that her future remains safe, secure and dignified,” he said.
Officials said the groom is also a resident of Sylhet and works as an electrical contractor.
The wedding drew support from people across different walks of life.
Distinguished individuals and several organisations contributed nearly Tk 2 lakh, which will be preserved in Swapna’s name as a fixed deposit.
A local resident donated household furniture, while guests were hosted by the rehabilitation centre. A local sweets manufacturer also gifted 100 cups of yogurt.
Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Quiyum Choudhury, along with senior government officials and community leaders, was present at the wedding ceremony.
An emotional Quiyum Choudhury said the rehabilitation centre had not only given an orphaned child shelter but had also educated her, empowered her and now helped build the foundation of her future.
The Integrated Child Rehabilitation Centre programme currently operates through 17 centres across Bangladesh, providing shelter, education and rehabilitation support to underprivileged, orphaned and at-risk children.
Swapna’s story now stands as one of its most heartwarming success stories.