The brotherhood in Bangladesh began in 1974. Several brothers had already traveled to Asia.

The project was to settle in India, but it was difficult to obtain a visa. At the opening of the Youth Council, there was a person from Bangladesh who said: “come to Bangladesh, the situation is extremely difficult there.”

Bangladesh had been independent for three years, after a war that caused many casualties. In 1974 and 1975, there was a famine in the big cities. Many people died. Most of the population was very poor.

The Catholic bishop of Chittagong invited us to come and live in his diocese. We lived there for 6 years, a very radical life very close to the poor. We focused on two things: being with the poor and working with young Christians, through meetings and retreats. We visited hospitals a lot. Together with a group of young Muslims and Hindus, we created several small schools in the slums. We helped many people with disabilities with a minimal loan, so they could open small businesses.

In 1981, the brotherhood moved to Dhaka, the capital. There were only two brothers. We continued the teaching work, the small schools in the slums, the work with people with disabilities. In 1987, we settled in Mymensingh, where the brotherhood stayed for 34 years. Many things developed.

There are small primary schools where the teachers are scholarship students. From our work with the Garo people, a center in Dhaka was born, called Nokmandi, which aims to bring together the Garos of Dhaka, help them in their difficulties and keep their culture alive. There has been a lot of work around disability, which among other things led to the creation of the community of L'Arche in Mymensingh. We also opened small centers for street children in Mymensingh and Dhaka. A strong emphasis has been placed on pastoral care, especially the training of young people: an interreligious training for peace and also a work with young Christians to prepare them for service in the church and society.

What marked the first 20 years of the brotherhood were the large annual ecumenical youth gatherings. Two of the pioneering brothers have already died. The founder of our brotherhood started many things. The other dedicated 45 years to teaching theology: almost 40 years in the Catholic seminary, while being one of the founders of the Anglican theology college.

In 2021, we settled in a village of the Garo minority, Thanarbaid. Much of what we started elsewhere continues, but the daily management has been entrusted to trusted local people. The brothers retain a role of guidance and supervision.

Thanarbaid is a village of farmers. To share their life, the brotherhood has also engaged in livestock farming and land cultivation. The profits from this work help support the projects of the brothers that continue in Mymensingh. Participating in this society also allows us to help the poorest.

A group of 15 or 17 students lives with us. They are present at our 3 daily prayers, which they lead very well. There are three brothers here. Often we travel to lead small ecumenical meetings or interreligious pilgrimages.