Keeping small children from drowning, Pirojpur

About this task

In Pirojpur, a district of rivers and canals, nearly every home has a pond or canal beside it. Bamboo fences and gates, with the owners’ consent, round the unfenced ponds and ditches beside village homes; and courtyard meetings where parents and grandparents agree who watches the small child in the busy morning hours.

Why it matters

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death of small children in Bangladesh, and most happen within metres of home, in daytime, while adults are busy. A fence and one pair of eyes prevent it.

What changes after

At least ten ponds fenced; each family has its morning watch arranged; any nearby childcare centre made known.

Who can join

People who can work bamboo are most useful; a local person should lead the courtyard meetings.

What it costs

Getting ready, step by step

• 3 weeks before

  Walk the village and list unfenced ponds and ditches within 20 metres of a home; note homes with children under five.

  Put first the ponds near the most small children.

• 2 weeks before

  Get each owner's written consent; ask whether they can give bamboo.

  Fix three homes and times for courtyard meetings; invite mothers, fathers and grandparents.

• 5 days before

  Gather bamboo, rope, wire and hinges; line up people who can work bamboo.

  Borrow machetes, saws and digging bars.

• The work days

  Fence 3–4 ponds a day: at least a metre high, no gaps, the gate latch out of a child's reach.

  Courtyard meetings in the afternoon or evening.

• A month later

  Walk every fence: breaks, gaps, gates left open.

  Remind owners to replace bamboo once a year.

Who does what

• Lead and surveyor (1): Lists ponds, gets owners' consent, orders the work. — ____________
• Fencing crew (3): Cut, set and tie bamboo, fit gates; work safely at the water's edge. — ____________
• Courtyard meeting lead (1): A local person who agrees the morning watch with parents and grandparents. — ____________
• Keeping children away (1): Keeps curious children away from the water while work goes on. — ____________

The day, hour by hour

• 07:30Team gathers; bamboo, rope and tools shared out; who keeps children away is set.
• 08:00First pond: before photo, posts in, tied.
• 10:00Second pond; gate fitted on the first.
• 12:30Lunch and rest.
• 13:30Third pond; push each fence by hand to test it.
• 15:30After photos; ask owners to keep gates shut.
• 16:30Courtyard meeting: who watches the child during morning cooking; what to do if a child goes under.

What can go wrong, and what to do

• Someone falls into the water while working. → Non-swimmers stay off the edge; keep a long pole or rope on the bank, and reach or throw rather than going in.
• A child has gone under. → Get the child out and call 999 at once; if not breathing, someone trained gives CPR. Do not swing the child upside down or press the belly to drain water. Take them to hospital even if they seem fine.
• A cut from a machete or saw. → Only experienced hands use the tools; press a clean cloth on a cut, and go to a clinic if deep.
• An owner later removes the fence or leaves the gate open. → Place the gate where it suits fetching water; agree the layout with the owner.

Useful numbers

• 999National emergency: police, fire, ambulance (free)
• 1098Child helpline
• 16263Shasthya Batayon: a doctor on the phone

Team notes