With the vision of raising awareness and enhancing family capabilities among grassroots mothers and sisters, an extraordinary initiative—the ‘Special Counselling Programme’—is underway across various villages in the Kumarkhali and Khoksa Upazilas of Kushtia. Conceived and personally funded by ICT expert Sufi Faruq Ibne Abubakar, this programme has today become the premier hub for fostering self-confidence and awareness among the women of this region.
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Special Counselling Programme
Context and Philosophy of the Programme
The true development of a nation is not confined merely to infrastructure or economic growth; rather, its genuine foundation lies in an well-educated and compassionate generation. Sufi Faruq Ibne Abubakar believes that a mother is the absolute centrepiece of a family. If a mother is aware, skilled, and mentally resilient, it is entirely possible for that household to nurture industrious citizens who are free from the vices of drugs and crime. The ‘Special Counselling Programme’ was born precisely to prepare grassroots mothers to contribute towards building a ‘Smart Bangladesh’.
The Four Core Pillars of the Advisory Assembly
At every assembly, intimate discussions and guidance are provided to our mothers and sisters in highly accessible language, focusing on four primary areas:
- Physical and Mental Health: Rural women frequently neglect their own health. These assemblies discuss the importance of maternal care, nutrition, and mental well-being.
- Hygiene and Disease Prevention: Strategies are shared on how to keep the entire household disease-free through small, everyday lifestyle habits.
- Nurturing Ideal Children: A central talking point of these sessions is the role a mother must play to ensure her child grows up to be not just formally educated, but a refined, benevolent, and skilled human being.
- Women’s Financial Independence: Awareness is raised regarding the importance of every woman having her own income or financial security, alongside practical ways to earn from home on a small scale.
Shaping the Future Generation and a Drug-Free Society
These assemblies offer mothers specific guidance to secure a bright future for their children, particularly highlighting:
- Building a friendly rapport with children so they do not hide any problems.
- Maintaining a vigilant eye and learning preventive strategies to protect children from the clutches of drug abuse.
- Encouraging creative learning and sports alongside academic studies.
- Offering psychological support to help children understand their goals and career objectives.
The Mission of Sufi Faruq Ibne Abubakar
Sufi Faruq Ibne Abubakar is crystal clear regarding the objective of this initiative. He states:
“My goal is to nurture a well-educated and compassionate generation in Kumarkhali-Khoksa. Our massive women force must be empowered to make decisions, alongside managing household chores. Just as we are providing free computer or sewing training to the youth, we are simultaneously preparing mothers so they can lead as the primary driving force of the family. This is the core ‘Joy Bangla’ of my politics.”
An Intimate Approach with Expert Presence
These advisory assemblies are not large public rallies; rather, they are highly intimate and effective small gatherings. They are organised in a courtyard or sitting room of a neighbourhood house, bringing together 30 to 35 mothers at a time. The distinctive feature of these events is that they do not stop at discussions; a professional nurse and a specialist are present to conduct basic health check-ups and offer direct medical consultations to the attending mothers and sisters.
Towards a Social Transformation
Coordinated by Alefa Khatun, an activist from the Kumarkhali Mahila Parishad, alongside healthcare workers from various tiers, this project is now reaching every neighbourhood in Kumarkhali and Khoksa. It is not just a meeting, but a powerful stride towards building an educated, healthy, drug-free, and prosperous society. According to local residents, the awareness blossoming among rural women as a result of Sufi Faruq’s continuous efforts will vividly reflect in the future development of Kumarkhali-Khoksa.
The Special Counselling Programme at a Glance:
- Initiator: Sufi Faruq Ibne Abubakar.
- Primary Objective: Raising awareness among mothers and nurturing a skilled generation.
- Key Focus Areas: Health, education, drug prevention, and women’s financial independence.
- Region: Kumarkhali and Khoksa, Kushtia.
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