I was brought to Dubai from the slums of Bangladesh in order to gain a better life, regular food to eat and education. Now I am 16 years old and I want to become Bangladesh’s Prime Minister. Living in the slums always made me think that one day I’d be a housewife or a cleaner. I had no dream, no aim in life, all I saw was women working tirelessly to support their family, sometimes not even eating proper meals. I believed I’d live the same life they did. 

My world was turned upside down – in the best way – when I became one of hundreds of children sponsored by the UAE-based Maria Cristina Foundation. I had been living with my parents and four siblings, we didn’t have proper meals, not even the most basic amenities. We were very poor. Since there were five children, it became very difficult for my family to send us to school and nurture us. Then Maria Cristina came in my life. An angel appeared and made my dream come true. I started going to school in Bangladesh because of Maria. I could learn new things, see the world, meet new people. The Maria Cristina Foundation, which has helped 600 children in Bangladesh and the UAE since it was founded in 2005, offered to pay for my education.

When my parents told me I was going to be taken care of by someone, and my education and everything will be taken care of too, I couldn’t believe it. I came to Dubai 5 years ago as an introvert slum girl who knew nothing about the world. I won the 2012 sportswoman of the year at Jumeira Baccalaureate School in Dubai. I am going to be Bangladesh’s next prime minister and I’ll make sure my country is recognised just like the others around the world. I am standing today because of Maria Conceicao. I can dream big and live my dream.

The funds I raise will go to support the education of my two younger brothers back home until they graduate. I also aim to support 100 girls in Bangladesh living in the slums with hygiene supplies.