Tasks/Children, elders & the disabled
Keeping small children from drowning
Fences round the ponds and ditches beside village homes, and courtyard meetings with parents on keeping small children in sight.
- 0/6 people
- About 10 hours
- 25
- points
About this task
Jhalokathi is laced with rivers and canals, and nearly every home has a pond or canal close by; small children are most at risk. 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.
Step by step
0 of 3 steps doneHow to do it, in order.About 9 hours across all steps
- 1
Find the risky ponds
A list of ponds or ditches within 20 metres of a home without a fence.
120 min
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 2
Bamboo fences
With the owner’s consent, at least a metre high, no gaps, with a gate a child cannot open.
300 minবাঁশ, দড়ি
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 3
Courtyard meetings
The morning cooking hours are the risk: agree who watches the child.
120 min
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet
What you need
- Bamboo · প্রতি পুকুরে ১৫-২০টি
- Rope · প্রয়োজনমতো
When it counts as done
- At least ten ponds or ditches fenced
- At least three courtyard meetings held
Proof required
- Before photo
- After photo
Safety
Keep children away from the water while working. Nobody who cannot swim goes into the water.
The full guide
What it takes, and how to do it
Never done this before? No matter. The cost, the timeline, who does what, whom to speak to, the day hour by hour, the risks and ready words to send are all here.
- About
- ৳26,000–53,600
- People
- 6
- Time in all
- 10 hours
- Age
- 16 or older
Best timeMarch to May, before the monsoon; ponds and ditches fill from June to September, when the risk is highest. Bamboo work is easier on dry ground.
PermissionEach pond or ditch owner's written consent; tell the union council's ward member.
What it costs
Prices differ by district and season; this is a 2026 estimate. Keep receipts and put them in the proof.
| What | How much | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bamboo polesAbout 180 (for 10 ponds)Where: Village bamboo grove owner or bamboo depot | About 180 (for 10 ponds) | ৳120–250 |
| Coir or nylon rope10 bundlesWhere: Market or hardware shop | 10 bundles | ৳150–300 |
| GI wire and nails1 set per pondWhere: Hardware shop | 1 set per pond | ৳100–200 |
| Gate hinges and a high latch10 setsWhere: Hardware shop | 10 sets | ৳80–150 |
| Tea and puffed rice for courtyard meetings3 meetingsWhere: Village shop | 3 meetings | ৳300–600 |
| Picture poster for meetings3Where: Photocopy and print shop | 3 | ৳50–100 |
| Total (about) | ৳26,000–53,600 | |
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 surveyor1
Lists ponds, gets owners' consent, orders the work.
Fencing crew3
Cut, set and tie bamboo, fit gates; work safely at the water's edge.
Courtyard meeting lead1
A local person who agrees the morning watch with parents and grandparents.
Keeping children away1
Keeps curious children away from the water while work goes on.
Whom to speak to first
Pond and ditch owners
- Why
- The land is theirs, and the fence lasts with their care.
- How
- Visit, take written consent, and accept bamboo or labour if offered.
Union council ward member
- Why
- Their help is needed if an owner refuses or the pond is public land.
- How
- Show them the list and keep them informed.
Community clinic or upazila health complex
- Why
- To say correctly in meetings what to do after a near-drowning.
- How
- Ask a health worker to come to one meeting.
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.
How to take the proof
- Before and after photos of each pond from the same angle, with the house in view.
- A close-up of the shut gate and high latch.
- Courtyard meeting photos from behind or a distance; no children's faces.
- A photo of the pond list and owners' consent letters.
Common first-time mistakes
- Leaving gaps at the bottom or middle; a crawling child slips through.
- Fencing but skipping the courtyard meetings; without someone watching, the risk stays.
- Fitting the latch low where a child can open it.
- Starting work without the owner's consent.
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.
Ready words to send
Copy, fill the [brackets], send.
Message for the village (WhatsApp/Facebook)
In [village], bamboo fences and gates will go round the unfenced ponds and ditches beside homes, so small children do not fall in. Dates: [date to date], 7:30 am, meeting at [place]. People who can work bamboo are much needed; bring a machete or saw if you have one. If you can give bamboo, tell [lead's name]. On [date] at 4:30 pm, a meeting for parents and grandparents in the courtyard of [home]. To join, send a request on the task page on Desher Kaj. No money is collected.
Consent letter for a pond owner
To [owner's name], [village], [union] Subject: Consent for a child-safety fence at your pond or ditch. Sir/Madam, We are [team name], a volunteer team on the Desher Kaj platform. On [date] we would like to put a bamboo fence at least one metre high, with a gate, around your [pond/ditch] near [home], so small children do not fall in. The gate will go wherever suits you. Ownership and use of the pond do not change. I give my consent to this work. Owner's signature: ____________ Date: [date] For the team: [name], lead
After it is done
- Once a month someone walks the fences and fixes breaks or gaps.
- Each year before the monsoon, remind owners to replace or repair the bamboo.
- If there is a childcare or day-care centre nearby, tell the families.
Questions people ask
Who pays for the bamboo?
Often the pond owner or the village gives it; otherwise take pledges on the task page.
Can I join if I cannot stay the whole time?
Yes. Say in your request which step or which hours you can do. The lead will give that step to you.