Environmental issues and recycling

At Shishu Polli Plus we live in a rural area and, as a community, are very aware of the environment. We recycle packaging when possible and eveything is scrutinised for a use before it is sold on or thrown away. Vegetable and cooking waste is made into compost and old paper is sent to the hand made paper section to be made in to new paper. In some ways recycling is easier in Bangladesh than in richer countries as everything has more value- for instance Pat's old shampoo bottles etc are very popular for storing coconut oil.

Persuading people not to throw litter is an ongoing struggle but we have waste bins placed around the project and all staff are expected to set a good example and to encourage the mothers and children to throw litter in the bins. Once a week we all spend an hour, together (staff, women and children) cleaning our home.

Our area is Bangladesh is relatively high and is 'forest land'. We planned every building, from day one, to avoid destroying trees. Every year we plant new trees- often fruit trees (lime, mango, jack fruit) as they are more likely to be cared for and to last a long time- as they will produce a crop.

We have several acres of land on which we grow as many vegetable and fruit crops as possible. In the winter we harvest many sorts of vegetables- - both Bangladeshi and other more recognisable crops such as carrots, cabbage, tomatoes. In the rainy season there are less vegetables but we have an orchard that produces mangos and lychees and many other fruits. We also have a total of five fish farms and produce enough fish to give the children fish three times a week – Bangladesh is a country of rivers and pretty much everyone loves fish.

We have just started bee keeping, and ten mothers and two staff have been trained to care for the 10 hives. This project will increase fertilisation of our crops, and will provide useful training in safe bee keeping skills as honey collection is a traditional Bangladeshi trade.

To help more women and children please
> Make a donation or
> Buy our Sreepur Village handmade charity cards