By Ruksana Rumi from Netrokona
In Kailati Union of Netrakona Sadar Upazila, a beautiful tradition has been in practice whenever a child arrives in a household, they are welcomed with three types of saplings: medicinal, timber, and fruit-bearing plants. For the past seven years, members of the “Agrojatra Teenage Girls’ Organization” have been upholding this practice to greet newborns into the world with greenery.
When a woman in the village becomes pregnant, the girls take the initiative to provide her with nutritious foods such as four eggs, four bananas, guava, lemon, and taro leaves. They also arrange health awareness sessions with experienced health workers, conduct regular weight, blood pressure, and diabetes checks for the expectant mothers, and advise them to go for routine check-ups at health centers or community clinics. They also encourage pregnant and new mothers to consume naturally grown vegetables and uncultivated food plants found around their homes.
Whenever a child is born, the girls visit the family in groups and present the newborn with a fruit-bearing and a medicinal sapling. They believe that to build a green and beautiful society, efforts must start from early childhood.
As part of this tradition, on 11 August, the girls distributed three saplings each fruit and timber (neem, black plum, and mango) to five new mothers to help ensure a better environment and future financial security for their newborns. They also provided nutritious food to seven pregnant mothers. Kailati Union Parishad Chairman Nazmul Haque, UP Member Mala Akter, health worker Protima Rani, and BARCIK officer Khadija Akter Lita participated in the event encouraging the adolescent girls’ initiative.
Priti Akter, a member of the organization, said, “Nutritious food is essential for the growth of newborns, which comes from a variety of vegetables and fruits. As they grow, they will need money for their upbringing, education, and healthcare. These trees we provide will one day become their assets.” She went on saying, “Families can consume the fruits or sell them to meet their children’s needs. Timber trees will mature in 20–25 years, and selling them can support the children’s education and development.”
The ongoing efforts of “Agrojatra Teenage Girls’ Organization” are playing a significant role in building a balanced society for pregnant women, new mothers, newborns, the elderly, and women in general. As a result, local women have begun to trust the organization. The girls are also ensuring healthcare services by accompanying pregnant and sick women to health centers, helping poor mothers’ access nutritious food and regular medical care. The villagers are extending their support to these initiatives as much as possible.
