After the devastating War of Independence in the 1970s, many children were left on the streets of Bangladesh with few places to turn for help. In response to this crisis, a Canadian named Sandra Simpson established Families for Children (FFC), setting up a shelter in a large rented house in Dhaka.
In the early 1980s, a British Airways crew staying at a local hotel during their stopovers in Dhaka decided they wanted to offer support to the community. Pat Kerr, one of the crew members, was tasked with finding a meaningful way for them to contribute. After visiting FFC, she was impressed by their work and coordinated with Trisha Silvester, the UK Chair, to establish crew involvement.
With the partnership agreed, Pat organised a poster in the crew room listing essential items the children needed, allowing crew members to
bring small donations like soap and diapers in their suitcases. At that time, FFC was caring for over 100 children. Pat later took unpaid leave and volunteered at FFC for several months.
Poverty was widespread in Dhaka, and although most children at FFC were with their mothers, many families couldn't afford food or medical care. In desperation, a significant number of mothers had to place their children in care. This situation prompted a fundraising effort, supported by British Airways, to build a facility where mothers and children could stay together while receiving training and support to become self-sufficient.
After raising funds and completing the necessary paperwork, a Bangladeshi construction company called Nirman built the new facility at cost price. In 1989, Shishu Polli Plus was officially opened by President Ershad and Lord King, Chairman of British Airways. Although SPP and FFC maintain a close relationship to this day, SPP was separately registered with the Bangladesh government in 2001.