A daylong awareness programme was held in Ershadnagar, Gazipur's Tongi, with a call to build a community free from child labour and drug abuse.
The programme, titled “Campaign to Build a Child Labour- and Drug-Free Tongi,” was organised on Monday by the Tongi Urban Area Development Programme and World Vision Bangladesh in Ershadnagar.
Gazipur-2 constituency MP M Manzurul Karim Rony attended the programme as the chief guest. Other speakers included Tongi East Thana BNP President Sarker Javed Ahmed Sumon, Majida Government High School Head Teacher Mohammad Jahangir Alam, freedom fighter Mujibur Rahman, World Vision official Liza Mitra, Programme Officer Kamna Shish, Mohammad Jasim Uddin, Chan Mia Pradhan, Rustam Ali Tutul, Ward 49 councillor candidate Muqtadir Ahmed Dipu Molla, Kamrul Islam Kamu, Mobarak Hossain Milan, Mohammad Kamal Hossain, Rabeya Begum and Halima Akhter Sumi, among others.
The programme began with the arrival and registration of guests and participants, followed by a football match for children. Later, the guests took their seats, while members of the Children’s Forum and Youth Forum welcomed them with flowers and a cultural dance.
Tongi Urban Area Development Programme and World Vision Bangladesh Area Programme Manager Manas Biswas delivered the welcome speech.
Members of the Children’s Forum, Youth Forum, Child Welfare Development Committee and Urban Neighbourhood Development Committee also shared their experiences and views during the event.
As part of the campaign, members of the Children’s and Youth Forums staged a musical drama highlighting the importance of recovering from drug addiction and leaving child labour behind to pursue education and build a better future.
Children also demonstrated self-defence techniques during the programme.
White canes were distributed among people with disabilities, while income-generating materials were provided to families considered vulnerable. Representatives of Brishti Block 2 and Jansharif Block 5 received tree saplings.
In his speech, the chief guest stressed the need to build a collective social resistance against child labour and drugs. He said families, educational institutions, elected representatives and people from all sections of society must work together to ensure a safe environment, education and a better future for children.
At the closing session, Manas Biswas, programme manager of the Tongi programme of World Vision Bangladesh, said the organisers would continue such initiatives to increase public awareness against child labour and drugs and to help ensure children's rights and safety.
