RAJSHAHI, Nov 5, 2022 (BSS) - Rajshahi Regional office of Caritas Bangladesh has, so far, transplanted around 4.33 lakh saplings of fruit and forest trees side by side with various other works of improving living and livelihood conditions of people in the region, including its vast Barind tract.

The transplanted trees have already started contributing a lot towards reducing carbon emission at a substantial level and that is very important to face the adverse impacts of climate change in the Barind tract.

These were revealed in the opening ceremony of a daylong golden jubilee celebration arranged at the regional office premises in the city today.

The celebration also showcased various types of development and promotional activities which are being implemented for welfare of the target groups of people, particularly the marginalized and ethnic minority people.

Fazley Hossain Badsha, MP, attended and addressed the ceremony as chief guest, while Bishop Gervas Rosario spoke as guest of honour with Devid Hembrom, Regional Director of Caritas Bangladesh, in the chair.

Reverent Fathers Farandi Marandi and William Mormu also spoke as special guests.

In his remarks, lawmaker Badsha said the caritas has been working for expanding standard and life skill development education side by side with substantial and sustainable development of agriculture, food and nutrition.

It has also been implementing various other activities, including aid to the distressed people, education stipend, distribution of domestic animals, high yielding crop promotion and tree plantation, for uplifting the grassroots farmers during the last 50 years.

He also urged the organization to extend the promotional activities more so that the marginalized farmers can uplift them after deriving total benefits of those.

The meeting inform that 27,265 people were given life-skill development education through 779 learning centres for adult people, while 17,107 other children through 316 schools.

Besides, 8,365 schools dropped out youths, widow and divorcee were imparted technical and vocational education and 5,526 of them got employment.

Apart from this, 1,780 street children, 1,422 elderly people, 444 drug-addicts and 1.056 people with special needs were rehabilitated with need-based training and support.