Tragically Buli lost her father to a heart attack when she was just 12 years-old, however her connection with her sponsor helped her through some of the most difficult moments in her life. "When my father passed away, I believed my sponsor was with me," recalls Buli, who despite the adversity continued, with her sponsors support, to stay in school and pursue her education.

Communication with her sponsor Robert was vital to Buli’s motivation and sense of belonging. "During Christmas every year I got a letter, cards and gifts from my sponsor, it was emotional and strengthened my relationship."

Sponsorship not only enabled Buli to continue her studies, her family and community benefited as World Vision programs provided school supplies, uniforms and fees for thousands of children in her community.

With the support of her sponsor Buli successfully completed all of her studies including those at Bangladesh Agricultural University where she qualified as an Agriculturalist. At the same time Buli started working with World Vision Bangladesh and completed a Master of Science degree. Buli went on to challenge societal norms when she became Senior Field Director at World Vision Bangladesh.

"My mother was very grateful for the program, not only my mother or me, but my whole family was grateful to the sponsor. He basically was beside my mother," says Buli as she now focuses on paying it forward by giving back to the millions of vulnerable people World Vision works with in Bangladesh.