In a world where the achievements of the wealthy and highly educated often dominate the headlines, the inspiring story of Mariswamy from Mudbal village, Maski Taluk, Raichur District, Karnataka, stands out as a testament to the power of ordinary individuals to bring about extraordinary change.

Mariswamy, a 34-year-old from a poor family, is the tenth of eleven children. Due to financial constraints, he was unable to pursue education beyond the 12th grade. After spending eight years in Bengaluru doing various jobs, he returned to his village with a vision to make a difference. Inspired by Pope Francis’s call to protect the environment in his encyclical ‘Laudato Si’, Mariswamy decided to dedicate himself to environmental conservation and community development.

His journey began when he observed the developmental activities carried out by the Bellary Diocese Development Society (BDDS) under the ‘Ujjivana’ project, part of Caritas India’s U3 program. Since October 2014, BDDS has been empowering women and farmers in the village through capacity-building training and facilitating access to government schemes. Recognizing Mariswamy’s enthusiasm for social work, BDDS staff encouraged him to become a volunteer.

Armed with newfound knowledge from training sessions on leadership, volunteerism, and environmental protection, Mariswamy set out to transform his community. He identified two acres of barren government land in a neighboring village that no one had claimed for cultivation. With the support of Ujjivana project staff, he approached the Panchayath Development Officer (PDO) and the forest department with a bold plan: a mass tree plantation.

Mariswamy’s proposal received approval from the District Commissioner, and the forest department provided 2,000 saplings, including Honge, Arali, and Neem trees. He persuaded the PDO to include the cost of digging pits under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), ensuring villagers could earn wages while contributing to the project.

The community rallied around Mariswamy’s vision. Ninety-four villagers worked tirelessly for 14 days, planting saplings and earning a total of Rs. 4,15,856/- under MGNREGA. Theresamma, one of the workers, expressed her gratitude: “Mariswamy did a good job and helped us get employment. I worked here and earned Rs. 4,424/-. My group and I will take care of these saplings until they grow.”  

The initiative, driven by Mariswamy’s leadership and supported by BDDS, brought life to barren land and provided employment to many. Mariswamy spent Rs. 35,000/- of his own money for transporting the saplings, demonstrating his commitment to the cause. “I’m happy that many have contributed to achieve my idea. The guidance from Ujjivana Project Staff was a driving force for me,” he shared. “Protecting nature is everyone’s responsibility. As I find self-satisfaction in this work, I will continue to engage in such activities for the community.”

Caritas India’s U3 program aligns with its Key Strategic Pillars: Empowering Animation, Dialogue, Sharing Community and Volunteerism. The program’s integration of these pillars has created a foundation for sustainable change. By promoting environmental protection and community engagement, Caritas India is fostering self-sustaining, climate-resilient agriculture and livelihoods across West Bengal, Karnataka, and Telangana.

The story of Mariswamy and Mudbal village exemplifies the profound impact of volunteer-driven, community-owned initiatives. It is a powerful reminder of how ordinary individuals, inspired and supported by programs like Ujjivana, can lead the way in creating sustainable, self-reliant communities.