MAA, TOMAKE BHALOBASHI (Mama, I Love You)
The Children of the Ocean
It’s a brand-new day in Cox’s Bazaar- the silhouette of the world’s longest beach glistens with the start of dawn. This stretch of the Bay of Bengal bustles in the wee hours of the morning — especially with children that are active members of the Bangladesh Surf Girls and Boys Club.
Around 39 children and youth from the club prepare themselves to compete in the Annual Bangladesh National Surfing Competition. A burst of endorphins has kicked in amongst the girls and boys from the club as they ride the waves with fervour. They spend long hours at the sea, aspiring to become their nation’s surfing champions.
While a good deal of practice and hard work pays a long way, food and nutrition is equally important.
My Mothers Recipes
On the eve of the surfing competition, Noor Hoosan’s mother prepares her sons favourite meal for him and his buddies. She prepares a small party for her son, hoping that this feast will inspire him.
Her spread consists of eleven different varieties of food; beef curry with potatoe, farm range chicken stew, eggplant and cucumber salad, prawn curry, fried fish, and lentils along with other dishes from the coast of Cox’s.
“After eating my favourite dishes, I will sleep and rest better” says Noorhosaan, a 14-year-old participant of the Surf Competition. “The waves are expected to be big tomorrow, and this food will give me energy to ride better” he further adds.
Noorhoosan was singularly raised by his mother who now struggles with several health conditions- she has asthama and it worsens during monsoon. Having come from a family that barely met needs end, he and his mother struggled; they sold coconuts, helped fishermen, and did all sorts of work before he joined the Surf Club.
“I am going to attend the surfing competition to watch my son surf” says Ayesha Begum.
“My mother is all I have, and I love her very much” says Noorhoosan. “I dream of being able to take of her better and making her live in a proper home.”
Take Home Rations Helps Single Mothers
Cox’s Bazaar is a small coastal town in Bangladesh, one of the fastest growing economies of the world. Home to 2.7 million people, this district is plagued by high rates of poverty and unemployment. Due to its geographic location, Cox’s is extremely prone to natural calamities and the people, susceptible to drug and human trafficking.
“I no longer have to worry about my son being involved in drugs after he joined the surf club, he is focused on being healthy” says Ayesha Begum.
All thirty-nine members of the surf club come from extremely improvised homes, are mainly raised by single mothers.
“The surf club provides my daughter with food- this includes rice, lentils, potatoes, cooking oil, salt and sugar” says Hafiza Begum, mother of Shobe, one of the few female surfers. “When I can barely put enough food on the table, she brings back home something to eat” she adds.
“My mother can no longer run her shop. We are surviving on her savings but at least we do not have to beg for food” says Shobe.
The surf club is a safe space where children receive an education and take-home rations of food as an incentive for learning a sport which is slowly gaining momentum in Bangladesh.
My Mother Helped My Dream Come True
Cox’s Bazaar is an especially traditional town. Despite government commitments to curb child marriage, Bangladesh continues to have one of the highest rates of child marriage. In Cox’s Bazar, there is evidence that this practice is currently on the rise. As of January 2018, 23% of host communities reported a recent increase in child marriages[i].
“I was married when I was 14 years old and had three children. My husband got into drugs and I was left to fend for my children. He got really upset when Shobe began to surf, but I pushed her to do it, because I could see that it gave her the confidence and courage that I wish I had” said x.
“ It has been two years since I have become won the Bangladesh National Championship” said 17 year old Shobe. “Before I joined the surf club I used to sell trinklets by the sea, today I hold a trophy and I am proud of my achievement. If it was not for my mother’s encouragement, I would have not reached here, thank you mom, MAA, TOMAKE BHALOBASHI”
[i] file:///C:/Users/seetashma.thapa/Desktop/Rapid-Education-and-Risk-Analysis-Coxs-Bazar-Final-Report.pdf
