The community development group of SAYS (South Asian Youth Society) took a great initiative to spread awareness among the underprivileged community about the process of staying healthy and disease-free in winter. Climate change impedes the habitual living sequences of peoples’ lives. The indigenous strata of the community mainly bear the load of malign effects of climate change. Remarkably, during winter, cold hits the entity of the destitute community, and causes morbidity to a great extent which is sometimes overlooked.
Keeping that in mind, the panoramic objective of the awareness campaign “Reign Over Wintertide” was to anatomise disease prevalence, food intake pattern, expenditure, knowledge of proper hygiene and sanitation, misconceptions of food taboos, attitude towards treatment and intra household food distribution.
The area chosen was specific, being Lalbagh in Dhaka city.
The nine compeers of the team, namely Nandeeta Samad, Maisha Reza, Iqra Iqbal Priyata, Jannatul Ferdous Miftah, Forijul Islam, Azizul Haq, Mustak Ahmed Shimul, Oishee Mujtaba and Nishat Salsabil, did a day-long survey in the targeted area and recorded the wretchedness of the population. The incorrect food intake pattern, unnecessary expenditure and improper ways of treating diseases during winter have been mirrored through the survey. Moreover, the survey has also reflected the conventional perception of lifestyle of the necessitous section of the society.
The team rendered basic knowledge and delivered lectures on healthy eating during cold with low to moderate income, minimising food loss and re-utilising food scraps if safe and healthy. They were also guided on common diseases of winter and how to prevent and combat them, take precautions for the cold and the importance of sufficient water intake in winter. Spontaneous and affirmative responses were received during the feedback session. Through this awareness campaign, one thing was clarified that distributing warm clothes and other materials can cover stress, temporarily. But guidance and direction can help influence a permanent maintenance of sustainable living. SAYS empowers youth by giving them inspiration to sculpt their ambition and notion for erecting a better world. SAYS members of the community development team have made a contribution in depicting the dejected condition and affliction of disadvantaged groups in the society and at the same time, this event shall encourage the youth of the country to participate in bringing positive change in the society.
