Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has taken the world by storm, affecting millions of lives and quite literally leading the world to come to an abrupt halt. People are dying, the economy is collapsing, and hunger and starvation are quickly becoming imminent problems in developing countries and especially in Bangladesh where many people can’t afford to stay indoors.
The project, Ekbela Ahar came into being because the host behind it all, who is a pilot by profession, holds the same belief. He suspects that the next great challenge the country will have to face is mass hunger, and to prevent this course of events, he knew that he had to act. It’s a completely self-funded project.
His project plan is very simple. It just takes a solvent family who can cook some extra meals from their daily routine and feed a few around them. Such solvent families are there in every corner of the country. Feeding guests is a common practice in our culture, however, what is new here is the fact that how will we maintain the social distancing and ensure no Coronavirus is spread through this. That’s where this Ekbela Ahar’s guideline plays its role. With the help of his family, the host distributes the extra food that they have among people who don’t have any food on their tables right outside his home.
Ekbela Ahar has been feeding approximately 60-70 people per day until now and will continue to do so until the lockdown continues. He urges others to keep that consistency too. In this way, he can reach people in areas where the government or large NGOs might not have reached. Because a good person may become miscreant if s/he cannot find food for a long time.
Since it is an especially difficult time for all of us because of obvious reasons, the host has included three vital steps in his project; i) hand washing, ii) social distancing and iii) proper disposal of used utensils, which are strictly followed. He arranged a corner with soap and water, and people have to wash their hands first to collect the food. He has marked different spots that maintain a safe distance, and food is only served when they stand in the marked areas.
Provider keeps the plate on the box kept solely for this meal transfer purpose. Recipient collects the plate, moves to the designated place for sitting. It ensures safety of both sides by avoiding close contact thereby avoiding virus spread.
The plates are disposed of immediately after use. By ensuring that the above-mentioned steps are followed, he is promoting handwashing and demonstrating its importance among the general mass, making them practice social distancing, and resultantly, minimizing any chances of the virus spreading. To avoid mass gatherings, he never serves food at the same hour every day. If anyone hungry is passing by, he gives them the food.
There are people all over the world who are taking initiative and helping in one way or another. Regardless of the magnitude of our actions, change is bound to occur and that is why I encourage you to do as much as you can in any way that you can.
After collecting the plate, they sit opposite side of the road maintaining social distancing marks.
While speaking to the host he mentioned, Ekbela Ahar is one of many projects that are aiming to alter circumstances and help those who are in need. Unlike various grocery and vegetable distribution projects, it’s not creating mass gathering. Ekbela Ahar also doesn’t have any specific timing every day. Let’s say today food is served at 3 pm, tomorrow it may be served at 4:30 pm.
Any hungry person can stop by at Ekbela Ahar and have a meal. Thus it serves the following purposes – i) no mass gathering is taking place as the timing is randomized, ii) recipient do not have to travel far. They can get the food in their area, iii) many solvent people piled up groceries when the lockdown started. So if a portion of the stockpile is released, this will have a positive impact on the economy. – all these comply with the government’s lockdown plan.
In our society we have a common concept that the poor bunch never learns discipline. This is a wrong idea. If we can teach them in their language, they definitely try their best to follow.
With the world facing a pandemic that is causing the most catastrophic effects imaginable, now is the time for us to take a step forward and help those who don’t share our privilege. If you look outside of your window, you will find people who don’t have a home to return to, no burner to cook, and no food to reduce their hunger. At times like this, we must do what we can do because it will surely create a difference.
The article has been contributed by Aisha H. Shams ([email protected]), who is studying at Sunbeams School. She visited the “Ekbela Ahar” project and highly appreciated the effort.
