Jhenaidah Citywide Children’s Network

This action was initiated by launching a friendly competition among the children. The competition was on what changes they want to make collectively in their communities. They can share it by snapping photos, or by creating a video. The majority response came of creating a clean space and growing food. It was not too long that the abandoned, ugly spaces of the communities started to transform into beautiful green spaces!

The action flourished beyond creation of communal gardens. Children slowly spread through the city by creating their own network. They would visit each other and share seeds. Gradually a seed bank was created in the network. They would try to gain knowledge from books. Each group had their own collective gardening tools. Despite of being it happening it during covid, they would arrange a monthly picnic carefully. By rotation, the network would visit to every community that has joined them. That is how the network grew bigger and stronger. It didn’t only support the communities with food security but also with mental wellbeing. Children were busy making changes in their communities and gardening made them feel good, utilizing their time through a better action. It also created the habit of cleaning one’s own surroundings.

The enthusiasm and energy led this process to get recognized by the city authority.  The deputy commissioner invited the children’s network at his place and appreciated their initiative. They had been named as “Jhenaidahs’ Green Power”. Their impact also reached to Dhaka community children. Learning from Jhenaidah they started to build their own Magic Gardens in the congested, cramped areas of their communities.  Later on, this initiative was visited by the World Food Program and invited to share their story in Dhaka.