More than just a shirt

Around the world, football is known for bringing communities together and in Bangladesh it’s no different. We’ve been working with KitAid and Charity Boots to distribute kit and clothes across Sundarban Union. With help from CareTech Foundation, they were transported 4,798 miles from the UK to Bangladesh.

Included in the shipment were new items, such as end of line kits from Puma, high-quality recycled items from football clubs across the UK and a range of clothes for children and adults. Most of these would have been thrown away, discarded to landfill at the end of a playing season because they’ve been outgrown, are not the latest trend or due to over-production. Football shirts displaying the name ‘Sinnott’ were also included. These were specially made by football clubs around the world in tribute to professional football player Jordan Sinnott, who was tragically murdered in 2020. Once the parcels reached the village, they were distributed to two local teams, Bandhu Sports and Lal Sobuj Tarun Jubo Songho, JAAGO primary school and residents across Sundarban.

We have worked in the region for almost ten years, aiming to improve living conditions. The last two years have been incredibly challenging for communities here with national lockdowns resulting in extreme food shortages, violence between police and communities, and a serious impact on mental health.

Due to COVID-19 local sports teams have been unable to play. However, with restrictions easing and the new kits on the way, we organised a friendly football match. Both Bandhu Sports and Lal Sobuj Tarun Jubo Songho are extremely passionate about football. They train 3-4 times a week on a simple grass pitch and play in competitions against neighbouring communities. Before the donation, they played barefoot and without a team strip.

“It’s very exciting for us, we have everything now. We’ve never played with boots before.”

— Md Shahinur (player)

On 3 December the local community came out to support. There was a band, food stalls, medals and a trophy for the winning team, Bandhu Sports, who scored two spectacular goals. The football match was not only an opportunity for the teams to try out their new kit, but it also brought the community back together.

Kit was also provided to JAAGO, a nonprofit primary school which provides education for disadvantaged children.

“It’s a great gift for our school and much needed. It will encourage students to come to school and play. We will use the kit to show we are a proper team. Thank you so much.”

— Ujjol (Project Manager, JAAGO Dinajpur Primary School)

The students were incredibly excited to receive their new strips and immediately put them to good use during playtime. The remaining clothing was distributed to those in greatest need across the Union with individuals nominated to receive support by the community.

““This has been a very difficult time, no money, many people have no job. We’re hoping everything is getting better… Normally people in the city have these types of clothes and shoes. I feel proud to wear it.” ”

— Chandra (resident)

It’s more than just a shirt – it builds a sense of pride and self-worth. We’re so pleased to make it happen.

Author: C. Taylor

Learning through play

Our work with JAAGO Foundation to create a new playground, is more than simply designing a space for recreation. It’s an extension to the classroom. Many studies demonstrate the ways in which play supports children’s learning and development. Roleplay, for example, helps children to develop oral language skills, storytelling and vocabulary. As they pretend play, they are learning the semantics of language and developing their writing skills.

In Bangladesh, ‘jatra’ or theatre, is an important part of the culture that incorporates singing, dancing, roleplay and dramatic monologues. Jatra is often used to pass down stories about history and religion, and serves as a valuable tool to help children develop literacy skills.

“At the beginning, there was no technology and no radio, at those times people in villages would organise a get together and bring other people to learn more about religion and history.”

— Azit Roy, famous Jatra performer in northwest Bangladesh

We chatted with students from JAAGO school to hear more about the games they enjoy. 11-year old Utti* loves to play ‘kana machi’ (blind fly), an outdoor game where one team runs around a blindfolded player - the blind fly - whilst the others try to evade capture. Once the kana machi has successfully caught another player, the participants sing ‘kana machi bobo jake pabo taka cho’ (blind fly flying with bobo anyone I find I touch) and the captured player takes their place.

Having dedicated outdoor space at school, for storytelling and games such as kana machi, supports students to build both academic and non-academic skills. It paves the way for children to be positive contributors to society.

“Outdoor play offers something unique that either cannot be achieved, or is more difficult to achieve in indoor play.”

— The SAGE Handbook of Outdoor Play and Learning, 2017

Play also has significant benefits for numerical development and there is a wealth of research that demonstrates how play provides children with a strong foundation for future mathematical understanding. Playing with basic equipment such as water and sand encourages logical mathematical rationale, scientific reasoning, and cognitive problem solving. While playing with building blocks strengthens children’s ability to categorise geometric shapes and compose larger shapes with smaller shapes.

Sadly, many children in Bangladesh don’t get the chance to play at school or at home, as academic studies and helping with the housework often take precedent, and many schools don’t have access to playgrounds. Play is not seen as a priority.

We understand the importance of play for children’s learning and development, and have designed JAAGO playspace with this in mind. A creative wall will provide a space for students to engage with shapes, and colours, and create music together - aiding sensory development and sequential understanding. A circular theatre will act as a stage for students to perform jatra, develop their creative writing skills and vocabulary. There will be spaces for reflection and areas for challenge, where students will need to negotiate their environment, building coordination and orientation skills.

“I really enjoy listening to storytelling and I learn it from my parents and teacher. We sometimes do storytelling at school and I enjoy it. I like to tell stories about fairy tales.”

— Student

Play is not a 'nice to have', it's a child's basic right that leads to significant educational progression. The new playground will support students on their educational journey as they continue into adulthood.

Read more about the project

Author: C. Taylor

(*name changed)