Girls born into poverty in Bangladesh often face obstacles that feel impossible to overcome—early marriage, limited access to education, and cultural norms that restrict opportunity. Through our partnership with Speak Up for the Poor, The Advancing Life Foundation is dismantling those barriers. And together, we are helping rewrite what is possible for those girls living in poverty in this part of the world.
Education That Changes More Than One Life
At the heart of this work is Speak Up’s Girls Education Program (GEP), which goes beyond providing schooling. The program protects girls from child marriage, equips them with health and safety education, and empowers them to pursue long-term futures with dignity.
In 2024 alone, the program served more than 2,500 girls and young women, providing life-changing education and advocacy. Across 40 villages and urban areas, including three new locations, entire communities are beginning to shift their thinking about what girls can become.
Child marriage is becoming less common. Parents are becoming allies. And education is becoming the expectation—not the exception.
Sangita’s Story: One Dream, Protected
Sangita* joined the GEP in fifth grade after learning it could help her stay in school and avoid early marriage. When her father passed away and relatives pushed for her to be married as a child, the program intervened—standing beside her and advocating for her right to continue her education.
Today, Sangita is in her second year of nursing school, achieving strong results and preparing to serve her community. Her story reflects the deeper truth of this partnership: when girls are supported at the right moment, entire futures change.
*Name changed for privacy
Looking Ahead: Expanding Hope
With continued support, Speak Up for the Poor and the ASEA Advancing Life Foundation aim to expand this initiative into three more villages, enroll 200+ additional girls, support 320+ students in higher education, and equip 25 young women to enter nursing school in the coming year.
This partnership is about protecting girls and reshaping their communities. With your help, we can create a future where girls are free to choose their own paths.
If you would like to see this project reach completion, along with many others like it, consider making a donation. Every dollar counts and goes a long way in helping the Foundation in breaking the cycles of poverty, abuse, and suffering.