For three weeks of Lent, The Central Minnesota Catholic will highlight Catholic Relief Services’ work with a story and simple, meatless recipe from a country the agency serves. Place the money that was saved into a CRS Rice Bowl to feed those in need around the world. At the end of Lent, individuals can give their money to their parish or send their donations directly to the St. Cloud Mission Office, 11 8th Ave. S., St. Cloud, MN 56301.
By The Central Minnesota Catholic with materials from Catholic Relief Services
Protecting crops from natural disasters in Bangladesh
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 day 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.
Pictured above: While heading to the market to sell his vegetables, Shahadat stops to pose for a portrait with balsam apple, which he grows in his field. Shahadat learned new farming techniques through participating in MUKTE II. The money he earns helps to feed his family and pay for the children’s education. The program helps families reduce their risks from disaster through vegetable gardening, training animal vaccinators and making homes more resilient and also teaches participants to save for disasters and how to advocate for government and services providers to be more responsive to disasters. (Photo by Amit Rudro for Catholic Relief Services)
Dahl — Bangladesh
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 tsp. ground turmeric
- 1 tbsp. fresh ginger, minced
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 tsp. ground cardamom
- 3-4 bay leaves
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt
- Vegetable oil
- 1 small red onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp. 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 power, 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.
Information for this story came from Catholic Relief Services.