S, now 25, was married off to a much older man, but unable to provide a dowry. One day, after returning from a journey home to her parents, without her husband's permission, he threw acid in her face, leaving her disfigured for life. She was hospitalised immediately, but had no money for treatment. BNWLA provided legal aid, and her husband was eventually convicted. She plans to become a cook and is learning the skill at the hostel

T a boy of 15, was originally lured to Dhaka by the promise of work. He was soon sold by his stepsister to a middleman, who and trafficked to Dubai into the dangerous world of camel-racing. Three years later, when he'd grown taller and outlived his usefulness, he was flown back and dumped without support on the city streets, picked up by the police, and thrown into jail. He was later rescued by us and brought to the shelter, and is now being trained in banner writing, dance, and junior leadership roles within child-based NGO programmes.

M, 12 years old, is from a large family in Dhaka . Raped at knifepoint by a 55 year-old neighbour, she was initially consumed by feelings of shame, aware that society's attitudes to her pregnancy would be unforgiving. Her case eventually came to light and a judge ordered compensation, but the culprit refused to pay. M's father initially wanted to drop the case, the defendant being a powerful local man, but through our assistance, legal support led to a conviction. M. is now at the hostel learning to sew.