Help My Blind Roommate Stay in School

Co-organized

Adarsha Shah and Sajib Sarker are organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

My name is Adarsha Shah. I’m raising funds for my incredible roommate, Sajib Sarker. Sajib is an international student from Bangladesh and is currently enrolled in the Master of Public Health program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). His journey to get here—and to stay here—has been anything but easy. Sajib was a practicing dentist in Bangladesh for years until 2020, when he lost his vision due to Retinitis Pigmentosa, a genetic condition that causes progressive blindness. He was forced to leave his career in dentistry because of his severe loss of sight. In his home country, resources for individuals with disabilities are virtually nonexistent. Sajib was described as a burden to his family and received no support or tools to adapt to his new reality.

Rather than giving up, Sajib pursued a second chance at life. He moved to the U.S. to earn his degree in Public Health, hoping to build a future where he could contribute to society and live independently despite his disability. Unfortunately, Sajib is now facing a serious financial crisis. His tuition at UAB is $24,000 for the year, and he still needs $18,000 to cover the remaining costs. Without these funds, he will not be able to re-enroll in school and risks having to return to Bangladesh—a place where people with disabilities face significant stigma and little to no resources for independent living.

Sajib is one of the most hardworking, kind, and determined individuals I’ve ever met. He’s not asking for a handout—he’s asking for a chance to continue his education and build a brighter future.

Here’s how the funds will be used:

$18,000 to cover his remaining tuition balance at UAB

Any additional funds will go toward adaptive tools and resources to support his vision loss

Your donation—no matter how small—can help Sajib stay in school and continue his journey toward independence. If you are unable to donate, sharing this campaign with your friends, family, and social networks would mean the world to us.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for being part of Sajib’s journey. Together, we can make a life-changing difference for someone who truly deserves it.

With gratitude,

Adarsha Shah