Recently, in various corners of Cumilla’s Town Hall area and market zones, Save Earth Society organised a mobile food distribution initiative for street children and impoverished residents. Hundreds of neatly packed meals were handed out with care—not as charity, but as acts of shared humanity.
“Like morning Krishnachura blossoms, their faces bloomed with smiles as they ate,” said a volunteer named Nahida. “They ate not just food, but love served with dignity.”
- Nahida
For Liton, an 8-year-old who sleeps under a shop awning and sells scraps during the day, the hot meal was more than nourishment—it was recognition.
“They gave us biryani and said we matter,” he whispered. “I want to eat like this every day, with everyone smiling.”
Save Earth Society believes that even in extreme poverty, dignity is non-negotiable. Their meals are served warm, clean, and without prejudice. No one is asked why they’re hungry—just whether they’d like seconds.
Save Earth Society does not operate on a charity model. As their founder, Md Mahamudul Hasan, explains:
“Our goal is not to give food once. It’s to remind every person on the street—they are seen, they are loved, and they belong to this society.”
This approach mirrors the “freedom-centred development” model proposed by Amartya Sen (1999), where human dignity and inclusion are just as important as material aid.
economic progress, Bangladesh faces a persistent food insecurity crisis. According to the World Food Programme (WFP, 2022):
Around 40 million people face moderate to severe food insecurity.
Over 1 million children in urban slums are undernourished.
Street children often lack any formal access to food, safety, or shelter.
In cities like Cumilla, rising living costs have made food less accessible. For street children—many of whom are orphans or abandoned due to poverty—begging and scavenging become daily survival strategies. Many suffer abuse, malnutrition, and illness, particularly young girls who face increased risk of exploitation.
While feeding programs are a cornerstone of Save Earth Society’s humanitarian work, their mission extends further. The organization also:
Supports the basic education of street children through informal learning centers.
Runs vocational training workshops for women and unemployed youth.
Collaborates with local governments and businesses to improve slum sanitation and health.
Advocates for policy changes on child protection and poverty reduction.
Their multi-sectoral strategy aligns with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:
SDG 1: No Poverty
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
SDG 4: Quality Education
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
According to a UNICEF Bangladesh report (2023), urban inequality and child vulnerability have deepened post-pandemic, with street children being the most underserved group.
“We need grassroots organisations like Save Earth Society who don’t just distribute food but build community trust,” says Dr Farhana Karim, a sociologist
To address the root causes of hunger and displacement, Save Earth Society also helps:
Train single mothers in sewing, cooking, and handicrafts
Provide microloans to launch home-based businesses
Support street vendors with starter kits (carts, licenses, uniforms)
These initiatives aim to convert “beneficiaries” into active citizens with economic agency.
Bangladesh has national-level food aid programmes; they rarely reach unregistered populations like street children or urban nomads. Identification is often required to access services, leaving the most vulnerable excluded.
“These children are Bangladesh’s future citizens,” said Hasan. “If they can’t eat today, how will they study tomorrow or lead the country in 20 years?”
This critique echoes concerns by BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD, 2022), which highlights the lack of adaptive governance frameworks for urban extreme poor.
Studies show that long-term hunger in childhood results in:
Stunted cognitive development
Chronic anxiety and trauma
Lower academic performance and work capacity later in life
By restoring joy and connection during meals, Save Earth Society promotes not just nutrition—but emotional healing.
One volunteer shared:
“When I fed a child who hadn’t eaten for two days, he hugged me and said ‘Are you my new big sister?’ That moment changed me forever.”
These small interactions foster empathy and collective responsibility, planting seeds for long-term community-led change.
To scale and sustain their work, Save Earth Society plans to:
Launch a community kitchen program in Cumilla for daily meals
Develop a sponsor-a-meal app to link donors with recipients in real time
Train former street children to become peer educators and mentors
Advocate for municipal budgeting to include food security measures
Today, millions in Bangladesh go to bed hungry, despite the nation's development story. Solving hunger requires more than economic growth—it demands political will, grassroots leadership, and public empathy.
As Save Earth Society’s campaign declares:
“These children are our children. Their future is our future. We must not look away.”
References
Amartya Sen. (1999). Development as Freedom. Oxford University Press.
Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). (2022). Poverty and Household Income Survey.
BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD). (2022). Urban Poor and Food Security: An Overlooked Crisis. https://bigd.bracu.ac.bd
