For most of us our childhood is the home to our sweetest memories, meeting all of our friends at school, playing outside all afternoon and enjoying the quiet weekends at home with our family. However, for many kids in our society life is very different.
They have little to no access to basic education, food security, people to look out for them as guardians or even a proper place to spend their time playing as kids.
This realization is what brought ছায়াতল বাংলাদেশ to life, since 2016 they have started a daytime school program and provide various other opportunities for teaching practical skills like sewing, computer operation, handicraft making, mobile repair works etc.
On 11th June, Bangladesh Medical College Local Committee collaborated with ছায়াতল বাংলাদেশ to organize a health camp under the event name ‘নগরফুলের দেখভাল’ meaning nurturing the city blossoms under the standing committees SCORP and SCORA this was an event close to all of our hearts.
The day was packed with excitement and fun activities for the kids. From the start the children enthusiastically participated in games of “ফুল টোক্কা” and coloring activities.
It was followed by an educational session on nutritional food habits, hand washing techniques and the concept of good and bad touch.
No one is born a street child, it is the failure of the system that they end up with no shelter, security or education. As future doctors it is our duty to remember that kindness and compassion comes hand in hand with our service to humanity. Spending a day with children, surrounded by their laughter and joyful smiles is the motivation we need to keep this initiative going for the future.
The day ended with a health check up for all the children where they were given basic advice as well medicines to stay healthy and maintain their nutrition for development. The teachers at the school and volunteers of ছায়াতল বাংলাদেশ expressed their gratitude to the Bangladesh Medical College Local Committee members for organizing such an impactful day for the kids and bringing light into their day.
As Michael Jackson once said ‘All of us are products of our childhood’ which is why it’s important to make childhood a better experience for these children so they get room to play, learn, dream and live their own lives to the fullest.