By Ohidur Rahman from Netrakona
A group of adolescent girls in Netrakona has launched an inspiring community initiative that combines climate action, environmental conservation, and maternal and child well-being. Under the banner of “Agrojatra Kishori Organization,” the young volunteers have been welcoming every newborn in their village with tree saplings, promoting the vision of raising a “zero-carbon child” while contributing to a greener future.
For the past seven years, the organization has been operating in Fochika village under Kailati Union of Netrokona Sadar Upazila. Formed by 15 students from local educational institutions, the group has welcomed 26 newborns by gifting each family three saplings such as a fruit tree, a medicinal tree, and a timber tree. The initiative has become a remarkable example of youth-led environmental stewardship and community service.
Each year, the organization also arranges a special event to congratulate newborns and pregnant women while promoting maternal nutrition. The program has been attended at different times by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Asma Binte Rafiq, Kailati Union Parishad Chairman Nazmul Haque, Upazila Vice Chairman Tuhin Akter, and other local representatives, who have distributed tree saplings among newborns’ families.
Organization members explained that they visit every family with a newborn at the end of the year and present three different types of saplings. The initiative symbolizes reducing carbon emissions while ensuring future oxygen for the child. As the trees mature, they will not only improve the local environment but also become valuable family assets, potentially supporting future education and healthcare expenses. The trees will also provide food and shelter for birds and other wildlife.
Beyond tree planting, the girls actively support maternal health. With assistance from BARCIK, every pregnant woman receives a month’s supply of nutritious food, including 30 eggs, bananas, guavas, lemons, and locally available uncultivated leafy vegetables. Trained youth volunteers from the Kishori Information Centre regularly monitor pregnant women’s weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels and provide health awareness counseling. The organization also assists critically ill patients by transporting them to the district hospital and has even donated blood to save lives when needed.
As part of its environmental campaign, the organization has planted 299 drumstick (moringa) and neem tree saplings in households across the village.
Organization President Bithi Akter said, “Building a greener and healthier society begins with caring for children from the womb. We encourage mothers to consume naturally grown nutritious vegetables and fruits, while the trees we distribute today will help secure the children’s future economically.”
Praising the initiative, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Asma Binte Rafiq said, “The Agrojatra Kishori Organization has set an outstanding example. Their commitment to combating climate change from the grassroots can inspire communities far beyond this region. I salute these courageous young girls for their dedication to building a greener planet.”
The organization’s humanitarian and environment friendly activities have strengthened health awareness among rural women while transforming Kailati Union into a greener and more sustainable community. Its innovative work has attracted visits from youth and adolescent organizations across the Netrakona region and has earned recognition through a youth award for outstanding contributions to environmental protection and services for women and children.