Thanchi is a backward Upazila among the seven Upazilas under Bandarban hill Upazila. Minor ethnic groups living in this Upazila are largely backward. Therefore, ActionAid Bangladesh is working with its partner organization BNKS in 3 Unions in Thanchi Upazila in a total of 33 villages for the overall development of the minority communities here.

Through the safe development of today's children, our children will lead tomorrow. So, the healthy and normal development of children will lead us to a better future. We, therefore, believe that every child can enjoy a safe and child-friendly environment from an early age so that he or she can develop socially, emotionally, and physically in a healthy way.

In continuation of this, Child Rights Week 2022 was celebrated with children from these three unions of Thanchi from 15th to 18th October in which about 400 children and community people got an opportunity to participate.

As people of hilly areas, they like to get an education through their cultural practices. So, this time on the occasion of Child Rights Week, some musical instruments are given to every child development center. Which will be very helpful for children from early development to adolescent development.

Apart from this, in order to ensure the rights of girl children, football games were organized as an advocacy campaign activity in three unions under LRP 34 with girl children. It was a very lively and joyful atmosphere organizing this football match. Where the girls got the opportunity to come to the field and play football. Generally, girl children are a part of the backward population in these areas. Women and girl children here have no right to participate in any social activities in a public place. They don't even have the right to speak in any social arbitration proceedings. But through the competition of this football game, a paradigmatic phenomenon emerged in society. Which is a milestone for girls to come out of their homes and participate in social activities and sports and will be a memory for the locals.

As these areas are very remote areas the communication system here is very poor. Due to this, there is no facility of community clinic or hospital here, and mothers give birth through various crises during the maternity period. Which puts the life of the child in uncertainty. In line with that, women's groups were given a First Aid toolbox for maternity health care, and each in the work area.

“We girls don't get many opportunities to play sports in our community, especially in public places. But this time on Child Rights Week, a friendly football match competition was organized by ActionAid and BNKS. Where I participate as a team leader. Before the start of the game, my team members and I practiced football in our area for a few days. And this practice was the first-time played football in our life. Playing sports refreshes our minds and increases our social participation. Participating in sports also keeps us physically healthy. Participating in a football match has taught me to think that girls can participate in all social activities, it is our right”, shared by D Hola Wang Marma (16 years adolescent child)

A Member of the women's group, she said that “the tools of this maternity first aid box will be immensely helpful in having a safe delivery. We do not have any hospitals here. We who are midwives will now be able to use this box to provide safe delivery services. Because of this generous support our community would like to thank ActionAid”