Gift of Boat Ends Ordeal of Two Villages in Bangladesh

Every monsoon, the residents of Popa Headman Para and Popa Badla Para villages had to go through deadly ordeal in order to earn a decent living. To put food on the table, the villagers had to go and work in other places and the only way to reach the work places was by crossing the river that flows between the two villages. Having no modes of transportation, the villagers often had to wade through waters to reach their destinations. During monsoons when the river would swell up with water, it was not only time consuming but fraught with risks for those trying to wade across. However, they had no choice but to cross the overflowing river risking their lives or go hungry.

Their ordeal will now be over, thanks to the gift of a boat by Believers Eastern Church Diocese of Khagrachari. When the boat was inaugurated and launched on the 3rd of July 2022 after a brief function, the villagers heaved a sigh of relief as they have finally been provided with a new boat.

One of the ordained priests of the church prayed and inaugurated the boat in the presence of the villagers. Bro. Solomon Tripura, a young leader and member of the Local Union Council was invited as a special guest for the program. Speaking on the occasion he said, “Being a local government leader, I should have provided a boat to the villagers but I could not. Knowingly or unknowingly, we ignored the villagers’ needs. I really thank the leadership of Believers Eastern Church for the right decision of providing a boat to these villagers.”

In addition, he launched the boat service by crossing the river from one side to the other, along with some older men and women from the two villages. The villagers were so happy and expressed their gratitude to the church for meeting their dire need. The newly-gifted boat is now the only means of conveyance to take them till the embankment or reach their destination.

“I am a poor shopkeeper. I have been running a small business for ten years. Every year, I could see people suffering so much to cross the river during the rainy season. Many local leaders came, but no one thought about the villagers’ need. I am so happy that Believers Eastern Church saw the need and took this great initiative”, said Monindra Tripura.

Mrs. Mayani Tripura said, “I am a poor daily laborer. I have to go and work in others’ paddy fields every day to make ends meet. But during the monsoon seasons, I used to find it very difficult to cross the river and I could not go for work many days. Now, I am so happy that I can cross the river easily and go for work.”

Badola Tripura, one of the village heads, said, “Today, my villagers are so happy that they got a new boat. I am so grateful to the church for taking such a wonderful initiative. Now our people will be safe”.