Ramadan Planning for Ladies

 Ramadan planning. Ladies, our plan is different from that of men and children. Let's try to figure out whether we can pray Taraweeh salat in Masjeed? If yes, do we have to go alone or take someone with us? In that case, we need to talk with them and make a good plan. If not possible in Masjid, then at home? If at home, then when will be the suitable time? Can we pray Tahajjud salat? How are we going to manage time? Make time before serving seheri food. Every day, are we going to recite the Quran? If yes, then when? Make a plan for a time so that we can always keep that time free from other work.

Now let's plan the food. For every Iftar meal, make one special dish. The rest should be fruits, Sarbat/Sarbet, and whatever is available at home. For Sehery, keep the regular meal. For a Bangladeshi family, that means rice, daal, veg, and protein.

And don't forget to plan for sleep. It's very important. Plan when you can get some sleep and stick to that time, whether you can sleep or not. At least take a rest on the bed.

Planning ahead

 I always try to manage my time effectively. That's why, when I work on something, I plan what I will do next and then what follows after that. So, when I finish my current task, I know exactly what to do next and can begin working on it.

To make things perfect, I am trying to live in the present moment. I just want to think about what I am doing and how I can improve it. It helps me do the work better. But after completing this work, I feel blank because I didn't make a plan for what to do next. It takes some of my time to figure out what to do next, and many times I actually forget the most important task on my list.

I'm also trying to solve this problem. I often make a list of tasks I need to do. That way, whenever I finish a task, I can look at the list and decide what to start next.

Let's see how it works..

Traveling

 I enjoy travelling. Most of the time, I travel with others—such as friends, relatives, colleagues, or groups, etc. Sometimes I make a travel plan and then carry it out with them; other times, they plan and invite me to join, and I go. Very rarely have I travelled alone. 

I prefer to travel without stress. I enjoy when someone else handles all the planning and tells me what my role is, so I can focus on that. When travelling with someone, I always respect their choices, like where to go, what to eat, and how long to stay. Sometimes I share my wishes; if they're listened to, great—if not, I take it easy. I don't expect everyone to enjoy travelling the same way I do. 

When no one invites me to join any tours, I create my own. It might be nearby or farther away—somewhere new and interesting. I mean physically, and if it’s affordable, then it’s a possible trip for me.

INTERVENTION/SOLUTION RATIONALE AND PRELIMINARY WORKPLAN

Invade Indigenous land.

 The development of a Theory of change and the completion of a logic model

• What is the specific problem that I am working to resolve?

The problem is “Invading indigenous unseeded land or the traditional territory.” This invasion by the Government or big corporations is a big problem for Indigenous people and their lifestyle and also for the environment.

The Canadian Government and Indigenous authority made a contract or treaty that Indigenous people could live in a reserve land and follow their own culture and norms. The land is dedicated to the Indigenous people.

Initially, the reserved land given to indigenous people was unsuitable for harvesting. But Indigenous people had no option. Later, these areas became important for many natural resources. Many times in different indigenous territories, the Canadian Government (sometimes on behalf of big corporations) put highways, took water from the land, gave some company authority to check for oil or other minerals, let them make pipelines, etc. These activities happened without considering changes or destroying the ecosystem on indigenous land. That’s why, for any activity on the reserved land, the Canadian Government should obtain proper consent from the Indigenous leader of that land.

 

• What are the factors that cause the problem?

Indigenous people are very aware of the protection of land and nature. That’s why they are careful with natural resources. So, when anything harms nature, indigenous people protest and try to protect it.

Sometimes, these projects take land, destroy water bodies, and destroy flora and fauna, which directly impacts Indigenous people’s health. Sometimes, human rights are not even respected during the project. For example, Indigenous people lose their clean water supply or are affected by poisonous chemicals.

Then, for years, they keep suffering, but no one is there to stop those unhealthy projects.

 

• Is there any data to support my analysis?

In 2018, there were 174 unsafe drinking water advisories in over 100 First Nations communities. Short-term advisories warn residents of a water quality issue on a certain water system. Long-term drinking water advisories have been in place for more than one year. (Yenilmez, 2022)

With the stench of chemicals in the air, the students learned of the striking impacts of airborne toxins and spills on the Aamjiwnaang First Nation, as well as working-class Sarnia residents and industry workers. These impacts are all too real for the Aamjiwnaang First Nation, which has higher rates of asthma, cancer, miscarriages, stillbirths and other adverse conditions. (Western Law, 2024)

• What factors are you planning to address in my intervention?

I want to create a law that no one can make any changes to the indigenous land without the indigenous leaders of that land’s consent.

• What are the related behaviours that I want to change?

To finalize any project on the reserved Indigenous land, one must discuss it with the Indigenous people who are living on that land. They have more knowledge about that land, and they live on it.

Target Group

• Who am I targeting?

The prime minister. He, who can make this law.

• Why are they my target group?

All parliament members are part of the Government and the opposition group. They can bring and pass the legislation.

• What is their status at this point in the project, vis-à-vis my issue?

I believe all levels of Government, from local to federal, are involved in this issue. But if parliament passes this law, then everyone will follow it.

• What subgroup will be more likely to change their behaviour?

The big oil/mining companies may change their behaviour to follow the law and start respecting indigenous suggestions. They might devise a good solution that indigenous people will agree on, and the project might have been done correctly.

• How do I expect to change their behaviour?

Now, it seems that the authority doesn’t care about Indigenous people’s health or the climate. If we pass this law, they will be bound to follow proper procedures to make a plan succeed. It will be suitable for the environment and the Indigenous people who are living on that land.

References:

-          Yenilmez, S. (2022, July 26). Indigenous safe drinking water crisis in canada- overview. The Indigenous Foundation. https://www.theindigenousfoundation.org/articles/indigenous-safe-drinking-water-crisis-in-canada-overview#:~:text=In%202018%2C%20there%20were%20174,for%20more%20than%20one%20year.

 

-          Toxic tour of Chemical Valley illustrates the impact of environmental injustice on indigenous and working-class communities. Western Law. (April 03, 2024). https://law.uwo.ca/news/2024/toxic_tour_of_chemical_valley_illustrates_the_impact_of_environmental_injustice_on_indigenous_and_workingclass_communities_.html

 

-          Box, C. T. (n.d.). Section 1. developing a logic model or theory of change. Chapter 2. Other Models for Promoting Community Health and Development | Section 1. Developing a Logic Model or Theory of Change | Main Section | Community Tool Box. https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/overview/models-for-community-health-and-development/logic-model-development/main

Transport and Mobility- A Mitigation Plan for Jane and Finch Area

 The Jane and Finch area doesn’t have enough green mobility systems to improve the Climate Crisis. We could make many plans to make the Jane and Finch area's transport climate friendly. Here are some of the short-term and long-term goals.

-          Create sidewalk and cycling routes on every road. We must build wide pathways for cargo bikes and mobility devices that will make people use no fossil fuels, be healthier for the climate, and give residents a healthy routine. It will save money, too. To make this project successful, we have put in decent amounts of bins, lights with security cameras, and patrolling security guards to make it a healthier and safer place.-          

-          Create pathways for walking and cycling in the parks to major public spaces, such as schools, community centers, rivers, etc. This will encourage people to walk to those places instead of using vehicles, saving energy and costs and helping the climate.

More people are using private vehicles, and this is causing more CFC gas emissions in transport and harming the climate. Here is our plan:

-          All buses will be changed or converted to zero emissions. One bus at total capacity takes the place of 70 single-occupancy cars. This will make no air pollution and help to make our climate better.

These e-buses can be used as mobile power plants in emergencies or outrages. An e-bus has a 440,000-watt battery that can be plugged into a hospital or any emergency building.

-          Truck routes after midnight to make less traffic delay. Roads will be safer, and cars will consume less gas and CFC emissions.

-          Make public transport free, then most people will try to use public transport. That will reduce the traffic pressure on the road. This will be a good money saver for low-income people. It will be beneficial for reducing CFC gas emissions and, in the long run, saving the climate.

-          We need to consider what will happen after 100 years. Population and transport use will increase. That’s why we will need a new electric subway line extension that will create more mobility, less energy consumption, and faster movement (no traffic jams). Again, there will be no CFC gas emissions. This is the healthier transport solution. The new line will interconnect all GTA cities, like Downtown, Mississauga, Brampton, etc.

When we can give better mobility to the community, the community can go out to earn more. That will provide the community with better earnings, and the government will be benefited from more income taxes. As we take the initiative to zero emissions, this better new mobility will improve the climate for the Jane and Finch communities and Canada. This way, we can create an excellent example for the rest of Canada.

Engagement plan: We should take the following steps to successfully create green transport/mobility in the Jane and Finch Community:

Approve the plan: Raising awareness in the community by providing pamphlets in grocery stores, medical clinics, and religious places. Meeting the community leaders and they let the community know about the climate mitigation plan. Then, meeting with the municipal councillors and convincing them to convince and approve the plan from the city mayor. If the city doesn’t support the project, keep pushing them by raising community voices by the community groups to the media, make rallies in front of the City of Toronto building, and keep pushing them by creating different events to accept our plan or come up with something better.

Make the plan work: Funds could be raised through community donations and city funding. If we can’t get enough funds for the total work, we can start working step by step, one road after another.

Follow-up: Community leaders can check and make a follow-up note to city councillors. They will check the progress of the work if it is done, then how the maintenance is going on. The councillor can follow up on the work with the city.

 

Resources:

-          TTC. TTC Green Initiatives. https://www.ttc.ca/riding-the-ttc/TTC-Green-Initiatives

-          The City of Toronto. (MAY  2022). JANE FINCH INITIATIVE Mobility Directions. https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/8d52-CityPlanning-Jane-Finch-Initiative-Mobility-Directions-May-2022.pdf

 

You always need a backup plan.

In your life, you will meet sometimes with peoples who stands against you without any (Valid) reason. Not only that, till their death they will try to let you down as much as possible. No matter how many times they fail, they will continue their evil work.

What can you do with them? How long will you fight? Maybe 99 times you will survive, but what about that 1% chance of failure. I am not asking you to step back. I am suggesting you to make a backup plan. So that any bad time you won't feel you are nowhere. It will also give you some mental relieve.

Planning is everything

Shafeen packing himself

When I had to pack my bag, first I make a plan, what I might need according to where I am going and for how long…. Then start thinking what are the things that I have to buy, prepare etc, and what are the things that I have to take just before I leave.  That’s it… finally it took very little time to complete my packing.

Otherwise if I start packing without planning and thinking, what I took what else should I take that actually takes much more time than planning. And finally when I reach the place, there are some important things left that I should brought.