From Survival to Service: A Climate Resilience Story from Kurigram

Md. Nur Alam Siddik, a 22-year-old, was no stranger to the harsh realities of life in Kurigram district. In 2019, a devastating flood and massive riverbank erosion left his village, Gabarjan, submerged, destroying everything his family had worked for over generations. Within just 36 hours, an entire village vanished into the river. Homes, furniture, and livelihoods were swept away, leaving only the legal documents and cattle that his family had managed to save.

The aftermath of this disaster left Nur Alam’s family both physically and psychologically shattered. They sold their cattle and, with the little money they had left, bought a piece of land at Vatigram, a place that offered some semblance of stability but also posed new challenges. The lack of safe sanitation facilities for women and the difficulty of social integration in an unfamiliar environment took a toll on Nur. His education was abruptly interrupted, and he suddenly found himself out of place in a community where he felt disconnected.

It was at this low point that the CALL SPiRiT project reached out to him. The project officials invited him to take part in the project, offering him a chance to be part of a football team. Nur Alam said “At first, I thought SPiRiT was just about sports. But I quickly realized it was much more than that. Every football session became a chance for me to learn important life skills like teamwork, communication, disaster preparedness, and environmental awareness. Those sessions filled me with new purpose and motivation, and I started to see a way forward.”

Encouraged by the lessons and experiences gained through CALL SPiRiT project, Nur Alam made a decision that would shape his future. He returned to his studies and enrolled at Panchpir Degree College, where he is now in his second year. The support he received from the project gave him the confidence to reintegrate into his community and pursue his dreams.

But Nur Alam’s transformation did not stop there. He became an active leader in his community, using the skills and knowledge he gained through SPiRiT to benefit those around him. Along with his friends, he founded the Hatiya Youth Club, an organization committed to continuing the learnings of the SPiRiT project. The club is primarily made up of former SPiRiT participants, and they work together to create positive change in their village.

The Hatiya Youth Club is involved in a range of community activities. They hold community meetings to promote hygiene and the establishment of Sato Pan—a sanitation initiative that ensures hygiene conditions for all specially during flood. They also conduct assessments of the most vulnerable households, referring them to various NGOs and government agencies for assistance.

When natural disasters strike, the youth club members are there, volunteering to help protect their community. One such moment came when a major river erosion threatened to breach the village’s dam. Nur Alam and his friends played a crucial role in the rescue efforts, showing up before, during, and after the disaster to ensure the safety of their neighbours. The club also takes part in disaster awareness campaigns, spreading warnings about floods, heatwaves, and other natural risks, helping to protect their village with the early warning systems they have learned to operate.

In 2024, Nur Alam and his friends opened a library in Anantapur Bazar, which has become a hub for knowledge and community development. With nearly 300 books on subjects ranging from literature to life skills, science, and history, the library provides a safe space for young people to learn, grow, and collaborate. It has also become a strategic meeting place for the Hatiya Youth Club, where members gather to plan their social initiatives and discuss how they can continue to support their community.

Through his journey with CALL SPiRiT project, Nur Alam Siddik has not only rebuilt his own life but has also become a beacon of hope and leadership in his village. His story is a testament to the power of resilience, community action, and the profound impact that youth empowerment can have in the face of climate change and disaster.