バングラデシュにて医療・保健サービスを行う学校の話
【2018年12月の活動報告】
Approximately 490,000 meals (progress rate: 21%) were distributed by December against Euglena cookie distribution target of 2.3 million meals for this term (October to September 2018).
1. The story of a school that provides medical and health services
In Japan, it is natural for schools to have an infirmary. However, schools covered by the GENKI program generally do not have an infirmary due to budget and location constraints. The principal of SSKS Elementary School in Dhaka has long felt the need to provide medical care because children cannot receive medical and health services promptly. There, the principal persuaded a British supporter to start health services at the school in March 2015. Twice a week, a doctor gives a free consultation in the principal's room. Every time, about 10% of all school students, 40 children, are examined mainly due to abdominal pain, headache, and cold, and they also provide medicine as needed. There is also a school affiliated hospital where children can receive treatment at a low cost. Last year, a child who complained of high fever and vomiting rushed to a doctor and was diagnosed with food poisoning. As a result of the inspection, it was found that the cause was eating undercooked river fish. Children living in slums are financially difficult to get medical treatment at the hospital. Thanks to this health service, it usually costs about 2,000 yen for treatment, but this time I only paid 500 yen. The difference will be borne by the supporter. This service benefits not only children but also their parents financially.
This health service has been run by a British supporter from the beginning to the present. Therefore, it is unclear how long the service can be enjoyed. While looking for new supporters, the principal recognizes that the activities that the school itself can do are also important. "I can't provide medicine to my children because I don't have medical expertise, but if my child gets a minor injury on a day without a doctor's consultation, I will disinfect it. Also, a child suffering from abdominal pain. We are doing what we can for the health of our children, such as giving them healthy ginger tea. It is very important Euglena I think that is. "
Photo-1: A child who is examined by a doctor and a mother and teacher watching over
Photo-2: Principal teacher who carefully stores medicine in the principal's room
Photo-3: Children eating Euglena
2. Introduction of Mourong Elementary School, which operates a shop
This month, I would like to introduce Mourong Elementary School, which operates a shop. The school is run by the Mourong Foundation. The foundation is made up of donations from the founder and his associates, and currently 60 children are studying at Mourong Elementary School. The characteristic of the school is that there is a shop in the school and the profits are used for the school's operating expenses. Of the schools covered by the GENKI program, this is the only school that operates on-campus.
This shop sells stationery used at school for children. We also sell local folk costumes, cosmetics, sweets and ready-to-eat foods to local residents with schools, especially mothers of children. About 15 people visit the store a day, and monthly sales are about 30,000 yen. The store manager, Jasmine, repeats trial and error every day to increase sales. Recently, we are targeting middle-class female customers in order to expand sales channels to non-children and local residents. For example, last month we created a homepage and started selling it online. In addition, as a new source of income other than selling goods, we plan to invite instructors to hold yoga classes at school on weekends. In this way, Mourong Elementary School operates the school independently.
Photo-4: Inside the shop
Photo-5: Stationery sold at the shop
Photo-6: Jasmine selling chocolate to children
Photo-7: Selling local folk costume sari to local residents
3. About the schoolyard situation of the elementary school
Did you know that many elementary schools do not have playgrounds in the capital city of Dhaka due to limited land? Bangladesh is the most densely populated country in the world. In downtown Dhaka, 30,000 people live per square kilometer. Compared to the population density of 14,000 people per square kilometer in the 23 wards of Tokyo, we can see how outstanding the population density of Dhaka is. Therefore, about 30% of the schools in Dhaka that are eligible for the GENKI program have a schoolyard. Boys attending a school with a playground enjoy the national sport of cricket and the traditional play of "Cock Fight" *.
On the other hand, children who go to school without a playground cannot play outside during breaks. Children play board games and skipping rope indoors. At some schools, teachers sometimes take children to open spaces and parks about 20 minutes' walk from the school to run foot races and hold skipping rope competitions. They are very much looking forward to this day as such activities are special for children. Also, as I mentioned earlier, in Bangladesh, men and women sometimes play together indoors, but girls tend to play less outside and prefer to talk. * A competition like "sumo" where you grab your right foot with your right hand, jump with one foot, hit your opponent's shoulder against your shoulder, and drive or push the opponent out of the base.
Photo-8: Children relaying with plates on their heads in the schoolyard
Photo-9: Children enjoying Cock Fight in the schoolyard
Photo-10: A girl student playing with a skipping rope in the classroom
Photo-11: Children playing board games in the classroom
Thank you for your continued support.
Euglena Co., Ltd.
Overseas Business Development Department / Bangladesh Office