Shahadat Hossain works in his vegetable garden in Bangladesh. (Amit Rudro / Catholic Relief Services)
By Catholic Relief Services
Shahadat Hossain lives on Manpura island in Bangladesh. He is a successful vegetable farmer who grows beans, pumpkins, tomatoes, eggplants and green chilis.
He spends his days caring for his cows and tending the garden plots on his family’s land. Their farm provides nutritious food for Shahadat’s family to eat and extra produce he can sell at the market.
But a few years ago, Shahadat’s family struggled to pay for basic household expenses like food and school fees. His father worked as a motorbike driver but only earned a small income. His mother grew vegetables, but without much success.
Their village, and much of Bangladesh, is located on flat lowlands. The intense rainy season causes flooding that often destroys farms and crops.
“The desperation in my life was so immense. Farming would cost a lot of money, and we were in a state of mental, physical and financial loss all the time,” Shahadat says.
Despite these challenges, Shahadat didn’t give up. He and his mother joined a Catholic Relief Services project — implemented in partnership with Caritas Bangladesh — that helps families reduce their risk from natural disasters like flooding, cyclones and river erosion.
They learned how to protect their crops from floodwaters by planting on raised garden beds. They also learned how to make organic fertilizer to grow healthier crops.
With their new skills, Shahadat and his mother boosted their vegetable harvest in just one year. Then they bought cows and chickens and sold the eggs for additional income.
Soon, Shahadat could afford to pay for his college tuition and for the education of his brothers.
“With the CRS training, my family can grow vegetables with less money. The vegetables I sell at the market help me to provide financially for my family,” Shahadat says.
Shahadat’s dream is to help other families in his community learn how to grow successful crops and become prosperous, too.
Rice Bowl final Lenten reflection of Holy Week: the Eucharist and hunger
On the southern fringe of the Sahara Desert, the Sahel region spans Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Sudan and Eritrea.
In the Sahel, temperatures are high and rain is uncommon. In 1976, during a long drought, crops failed, livestock was lost and a lack of food threatened the lives of millions of our sisters and brothers.
It was in that same year that Catholics from around the world participated in the 41st International Eucharistic Congress held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The theme of the Congress, “The Eucharist and the Hungers of the Human Family,” emphasized the central role of the Eucharist in addressing the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of people, particularly in the context of challenges such as hunger, poverty and social injustice.
The Eucharist makes visible our communion with our sisters and brothers and our shared responsibility as one human family. As Catholics, we believe no person should go hungry; however, our world is currently facing levels of hunger that experts believe could be the new normal. That’s why it is more important than ever for us to recommit each Lent — and throughout the year — to supporting our global family experiencing these challenges.
As we near the end of these 40 days, let us reflect on what our Lenten journey has meant for us and how the pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving impact not only our lives but also the lives of our sisters and brothers in our local community and around the world.
As we strive to live in true global solidarity and are nourished by the Bread of Life, let us share bread for life to ensure everyone has enough to eat amid this global food crisis. When we come together to tackle hunger, there is no limit to what we can achieve.
For more on CRS efforts worldwide, please visit www.crs.org.
Rice Bowl recipe from Bangladesh: dahl
Each Friday of Lent, CRS Rice Bowl encourages abstaining from eating meat as a way to experience a little of the hunger that many experience daily. CRS Rice Bowl invites all to incorporate these Lenten recipes from around the world and give the money saved each week by not eating meat to CRS Rice Bowl to feed those in need around the world.
Dahl is a popular dish in Bangladesh made from lentils, cooked until soft and seasoned with spices. It is often served as a staple alongside rice, and its rich, savory flavor makes it a comforting and nutritious meal.
Start to finish: 30 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Ingredients:
- 2 cups dried red lentils, rinsed
- 4 cups water
- 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 teaspoons ground cardamom
- 3-4 bay leaves
- 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
- Vegetable oil
- 1 small red onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
- Chopped cilantro
In a large pot, add the lentils with 4 cups water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer. Add the turmeric, ginger, cinnamon sticks, cardamom and bay leaves to the lentils and cook for 15 minutes, or until lentils are tender. Remove the pot from the stove and add the salt. In a separate pan, heat vegetable oil and add chopped onions and garlic, sauteing until they turn light brown. Add the sauteed onions and garlic to the lentils. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro. Serve with rice.
Eating a simple meal during Lent helps us reflect on the hunger that many people face worldwide. Make a Lenten donation to help ensure all the members of our global family have access to enough nutritious food. For more Lenten recipes, please visit www.crsricebowl.org.
