An organisation called Hadia Foundation is winning praise in Chandpur for its unusual social work. Its members plant saplings beside roads to protect the environment and run a range of other programmes.

Locals say that since it was founded in 2021, Hadia Foundation has planted 400 date palm saplings along village roads. Behind the effort are money earned by expatriates through hard work and the energy of a group of young people. Beyond tree planting, the foundation recently gave a physically disabled young man a shop with goods so he could earn a living, and it has distributed goats to help destitute women become self-reliant.

The foundation also funds a hafezia madrasa where more than fifty boys and girls study the Quran and religious subjects.

Panna Begum, a beneficiary, said: "The young people of the area gave us goats. We will raise them and sell them, and the money can be put to use. We are poor and have no one in the family to look after us. We are happy with the help they are giving."

Saju Hossain, who has a disability, said: "I cannot do any work. Hadia Foundation gave me a shop with goods. My brother and his son help me. With this shop I will be able to meet my own expenses."

Md Mamunur Rashid Pathan, president of the Faridganj Press Club, said there are many kinds of organisations in the country but not all of them work; Hadia Foundation is an exception, working for people.

Faridganj upazila social services officer Mahmudul Hasan said every upazila has at least 20 to 25 social organisations, and among them Hadia Foundation's work is commendable. When young members are active, work moves much faster, and their activities are encouraging.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.