Nur Mohammad (pseudonym), a participant in MCAC-01 (HOPE), has discovered a passion for horticulture through the programme’s awareness sessions. “One day, Facilitator Apa discussed horticulture, which made me and my friends curious about gardening,” he recalls.

Soon after, JRS-Caritas Bangladesh’s MCAC-01 project provided Nur and his friends with seeds of sweet pumpkin, bottle gourd, hyacinth beans, and bitter gourd. With the facilitator’s guidance, they prepared the soil and planted the seeds with great excitement. “We watered them daily and were thrilled when the seeds sprouted into saplings,” he shares.

As the plants grew, the facilitator distributed the saplings, allowing Nur to plant them near his home. “I care for it every day, and when Apa visited to check on it, my mother and I felt so proud,” he beams. His small garden now includes sweet pumpkin and onion plants, and he eagerly anticipates seeing bottle gourds flourish soon.

Expressing gratitude to JRS-Caritas Bangladesh, Nur acknowledges the impact of this experience. “I’m hopeful my plant will bear bottle gourds soon,” he concludes with a smile, embracing both the knowledge and community spirit gained through the programme.