Tasks/Children, elders & the disabled
The first thousand days: courtyard talks on mother and baby nutrition
Courtyard talks, with the community clinic’s health worker, for pregnant women and mothers of children under two: breastfeeding in the first hour, only breast milk for six months, then home food while breastfeeding goes on to two years.
- 0/3 people
- About 6 hours
- 10
- points
About this task
In hilly Bandarban many villages are far from a hospital over hard paths; care for mothers and babies needs to reach the village. The community clinic’s health provider or family welfare assistant does the talking; the team handles the place, invitations and attendance. Pregnant women and mothers of children under two come, each with one family member. The core messages follow WHO and UNICEF advice: breastfeeding in the first hour after birth; only breast milk for the first six months; from six months, safe soft home food alongside breastfeeding to two years or beyond; pregnancy check-ups and the child’s vaccination card; washing hands with soap before feeding.
Why it matters
From pregnancy to a child’s second birthday, about a thousand days, is the most important time for growth and development; WHO says good nutrition in this period lowers the risk of illness and death. Families decide about food together, so a family member needs to hear it alongside the mother.
What changes after
Over forty-five mothers and family members across at least three talks; each knows the first hour, six months and two years; mothers connected with the community clinic.
Who can join
Anyone can organise; only the health worker gives the advice. With women volunteers, mothers speak more easily.
Step by step
0 of 3 steps doneHow to do it, in order.About 6.5 hours across all steps
- 1
Bring in the health worker
The community clinic’s health provider or the family welfare assistant does the talking; the team organises.
90 min
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 2
Invitations
Pregnant women and mothers of small children, each with one family member (mother-in-law or husband), because families decide on food together.
120 min
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 3
The courtyard talks
The health worker’s core points: breast milk in the first hour; only breast milk for six months; soft home food from six months; pregnancy check-ups and the vaccination card; washing hands before feeding.
180 minহাজিরা খাতা, ছবির পোস্টার
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet
What you need
- Attendance register · ১টি
- Picture posters · ৫টি
When it counts as done
- At least three talks with at least fifteen people each, in the attendance register
- The health worker present, in the photos
Proof required
- Photo
- Signatures
Safety
Medical advice comes only from the health worker. Never sell or hand out medicines, vitamins or formula milk. No photos of mothers’ faces without consent; never a photo of breastfeeding.
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
- ৳600–1,800
- People
- 3
- Time in all
- 6 hours
- Age
- 18 or older
Best timeAll year; in the afternoon after cooking and chores, when mothers have a little time.
PermissionThe community clinic’s or family planning worker’s agreement and presence are essential; the homeowner’s consent for the courtyard.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Posters (A3, colour)5Where: Print shop | 5 | ৳30–60 |
| Attendance register and pens1 setWhere: Stationery shop | 1 set | ৳100–200 |
| Mats (nothing if borrowed)3Where: Borrowed from neighbours, or the market | 3 | ৳0–250 |
| Total (about) | ৳600–1,800 | |
Getting ready, step by step
14 days before
- Visit the community clinic and book the health worker’s time; they do the talking.
7 days before
- Choose courtyards; invite pregnant women and mothers of small children with their families.
Talk days
- Attendance, the health worker’s talk, questions and answers.
The month after
- Check with the health worker how many mothers came to the clinic.
Who does what
Lead1
Fixes times with the clinic, courtyards and invitations.
Invitations and attendance (ideally a woman volunteer)1
House-to-house invitations, the attendance register.
Minding children1
Keep older children playing nearby during the talk.
Whom to speak to first
The community clinic’s health care provider
- Why
- Advice comes only from them; mothers will go to them afterwards.
- How
- Go in person to book a time; remind them before each talk.
Older women in the family and husbands
- Why
- Their word counts in decisions on food and care.
- How
- Invite them too.
The day, hour by hour
- 15:00Mats, posters and attendance in the courtyard.
- 15:15The health worker’s talk: the first hour, six months, home food from six months, two years.
- 15:45Pregnancy check-ups, the vaccination card, handwashing.
- 16:00Questions and answers; the clinic’s days and hours.
- 16:30Thanks, done.
How to take the proof
- Photos of the attendance pages (signatures or thumbprints).
- A photo of the health worker speaking, without mothers’ faces or with consent.
Common first-time mistakes
- Inviting only mothers, no one else from the family.
- Taking photos of breastfeeding or of mothers’ faces.
What can go wrong, and what to do
The health worker cannot come at the last minute
Postpone the talk; the team never gives health advice itself.
Someone wanting to promote a product or medicine
Politely decline; no products at the talks.
Arguments over common misconceptions
The health worker answers; listen with respect.
Ready words to send
Copy, fill the [brackets], send.
House-to-house / WhatsApp invitation
A courtyard talk on mother and baby nutrition Where: [home], [village] When: [date], 3 pm Who: pregnant women and mothers of children under two, each with a family member. Speaker: the health worker from [community clinic]. No money is needed. To join: send a join request on this task’s page on Desher Kaj, or tell [lead’s name] in this group.
Request to the community clinic
Date: [date] To The Community Health Care Provider [community clinic name] Subject: Request to speak at courtyard talks on mother and baby nutrition. Sir/Madam, We wish to hold three courtyard talks in [village] on [dates], in the afternoon, for pregnant women and mothers of children under two. We would be grateful if you would lead the talks; we will take care of the place, invitations and attendance. No money will be collected from anyone for this work; what is needed comes as gifts in kind or at the team’s own cost. Yours faithfully [Name], team lead [team name], a volunteer team on the Desher Kaj platform Phone: [number]
After it is done
- Another talk in the same village after three months, with new expectant mothers.
- Write the clinic’s days and hours up at the village shop.
Questions people ask
Can we give nutrition advice ourselves?
No. The health worker advises; the team organises. For questions nobody can answer, Shasthya Batayon on 16263.
What if a company offers milk or food?
Decline. No product is promoted or handed out at the talks.
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.