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They say that one man can’t make a difference, but Abdul Samad Sheikh, a 60-year-old rickshaw driver from Bangladesh, is living proof that small contributions over a long period of time can mean very much. He has planted at least one tree every day since he was 12-years-old, which means that he has so far planted a small forest of over 17,500 trees. Imagine if everyone followed his example.
Abdul Samad Sheikh, fondly known as “Tree Samad” in his native town of Faridpur, central Bangladesh, has worked as a rickshaw driver for most of his life.
The modest job earns him about 100 taka ($1.25) per day, which is barely enough to put food on the table for his family, but he somehow manages to also buy at least one tree from the Faridpur Horticulture Centre, every day.
He considers it his duty to the world and claims he wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if he didn’t plant a tree that day.
“For the whole night I cannot sleep if I have not planted a tree,” Abdul told The Daily Star. “I’ve been doing that since I was twelve years old. Mostly I plant them on government land so nobody can cut them down later. I also water them, and if I see anyone cutting a tree I protest it and scold them. I love all creatures, animals too, but especially trees.”
Samad, his wife Jorna, and four of their children live in in two modest huts, on a piece of land that belongs to the Faridpur deputy commissioner’s office.
They have no land of their own, and sometimes his meagre earnings are not enough to cover the family’s needs, but he always prioritises his daily tree purchase. Jorna sometimes scolds him for it, but he doesn’t care.
“His income isn’t great, and he has to cover the day-to-day needs for our family,” Abdul’s wife says. “Sometimes I forbid him to plant trees but he doesn’t listen. Samad’s love for trees is unstoppable.”
“I’ve never told my father not to plant trees, he does a good thing for society,” Abdul’s 30-year-old son, Kutub Uddin, adds.
Abdul Samad Sheikh’s neighbours all know about his daily habit, and some remember seeing him plant trees ever since he was a little boy. In a video posted by The Daily Star, they point to several large trees planted by him decades ago, and express their respect and admiration for his dedication.
“Samad is a model citizen of our community, local man, Abul Kalam Howlader, says. “To see his good work truly inspires me.”
“It’s not only the trees,” Abdul’s neighbour, Sakandar Ali, adds. “Samad is a very helpful man. One can ask of him anything and he will do his best to help without reservation. He is that rare type of personality that is so much needed in our society.”
http://www.odditycentral.com/news/t...g-a-tree-every-day-for-the-past-48-years.html
Abdul Samad Sheikh, fondly known as “Tree Samad” in his native town of Faridpur, central Bangladesh, has worked as a rickshaw driver for most of his life.
The modest job earns him about 100 taka ($1.25) per day, which is barely enough to put food on the table for his family, but he somehow manages to also buy at least one tree from the Faridpur Horticulture Centre, every day.
He considers it his duty to the world and claims he wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if he didn’t plant a tree that day.
“For the whole night I cannot sleep if I have not planted a tree,” Abdul told The Daily Star. “I’ve been doing that since I was twelve years old. Mostly I plant them on government land so nobody can cut them down later. I also water them, and if I see anyone cutting a tree I protest it and scold them. I love all creatures, animals too, but especially trees.”
Samad, his wife Jorna, and four of their children live in in two modest huts, on a piece of land that belongs to the Faridpur deputy commissioner’s office.
They have no land of their own, and sometimes his meagre earnings are not enough to cover the family’s needs, but he always prioritises his daily tree purchase. Jorna sometimes scolds him for it, but he doesn’t care.
“His income isn’t great, and he has to cover the day-to-day needs for our family,” Abdul’s wife says. “Sometimes I forbid him to plant trees but he doesn’t listen. Samad’s love for trees is unstoppable.”
“I’ve never told my father not to plant trees, he does a good thing for society,” Abdul’s 30-year-old son, Kutub Uddin, adds.
Abdul Samad Sheikh’s neighbours all know about his daily habit, and some remember seeing him plant trees ever since he was a little boy. In a video posted by The Daily Star, they point to several large trees planted by him decades ago, and express their respect and admiration for his dedication.
“Samad is a model citizen of our community, local man, Abul Kalam Howlader, says. “To see his good work truly inspires me.”
“It’s not only the trees,” Abdul’s neighbour, Sakandar Ali, adds. “Samad is a very helpful man. One can ask of him anything and he will do his best to help without reservation. He is that rare type of personality that is so much needed in our society.”
http://www.odditycentral.com/news/t...g-a-tree-every-day-for-the-past-48-years.html
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