Md. Rakib Hosen - Hope in the Tides: Rakib’s Rise and Struggle
28 September 2009
Rakibul Hossain and his younger brother Russell have always shared a strong bond. As the elder brother, Rakib is deeply protective of Russell and never leaves him alone. The two brothers, originally from Nangolcoat, Comilla, found it difficult to adjust when they first arrived at Umbrelă Foundation. They missed their home and family. But with time, they became familiar with their surroundings and built friendships. Now, Umbrelă feels like home.
Rakib shares, “My father used to take drugs and abuse my mother. She brought us to Umbrelă because she couldn’t afford to take care of us anymore.”
At Umbrelă, Rakib and Russell found stability, care, and emotional safety. Rakib is currently in class seven, while Russell is in class three. They enjoy playing on the playground, engaging in creative activities, and participating in various events. Rakib, in particular, has shown strong interests in drawing, football, and cricket. He once said, “We have learned how to behave well here. I want to be a ship captain when I grow up.”
However, Rakib’s journey hasn’t been easy. After his parents' divorce, his mother remarried, but the children were not informed. During a vacation, Rakib learned about his mother’s new marriage from other relatives. This news shocked him. Neither his mother nor grandparents had explained the situation to him, which led to a deep emotional disturbance. Rakib began showing signs of distress—frequent headaches, fevers, unusual behavior, and anger. Many doctors were consulted, and he was even hospitalized, but his condition didn’t improve.
Recognizing the emotional cause of his struggles, the Umbrelă team arranged for his mother to visit and spend time with him. With the help of a psychologist, his mother gently explained her remarriage and reassured him. This open communication, combined with counseling and support, helped Rakib recover emotionally.
Today, by the grace of Allah, Rakib is doing much better. His intelligence, creativity, and exceptional problem-solving ability are evident—he can recreate things just by observing them once, often finding smart solutions to small challenges around him. The Umbrelă team believes he has the potential to become an engineer, a dream Rakib himself now shares.
Rakib’s story is one of resilience, growth, and the healing power of understanding and support.