Women become self-reliant by making handmade toys in Srimangal

BSS :

Some women are working by sitting roundly. They all are busy in making toys. Someone is weaving yarn, someone is checking for the last time whether the weaving is proper or not. They all are also discussing whose toy is looking good.
The toys are a special kind of doll and it is not harmful if the children take it in their mouths. There is a huge demand for the doll in international markets. Centering the demand, Srimangal of Sylhet becomes a popular name. The dolls, making by women of Srimangal area, are reaching children of across the globe.
The women of South Pachoun village in Mirzapore Union of Srimangal are making the dolls. Some women including Jobeda, Jashoda, Rahela, Rita and Shima are working relentlessly for making dolls.
Climate Resilient Ecosystems and Livelihood (CREL) is providing training for two months to the local women including school and college going students on making dolls. And the women who received the training are earning from their home by making dolls.
CREL communication officer Ilias Mahmud Polash said the local women have received two-month long training from the organization on making dolls. They are now earning money from their home, he added.
Rita Rani, one of the doll makers, said, “I make dolls during my leisure time. I tried to give time about three to four hours in the afternoon. I really enjoy the works. I also earned money through the works which helps my family.”
Mohua, a college student, said, “I work here for three hours after my college. I always try to make different types of toys for the children. Many college girls like me are also working here.”
Jobeda said it is not so easy to make toys. “We are making different types of toys including octopus, caterpillar, giraffe and owl. We made about 200 items during our training.”
CREL official Md Maniruzzaman said, “We divided the women of the village in two groups. We provided the trainings to them in two separate groups. And the two groups have received an order of making 100 octopuses.”
He said the programme is being running for developing the livelihood of the local women. Every woman would get Taka 30 for every octopus as the all accessories including yarn have been provided at free of cost. If they can continue the works of making dolls, then they can earn Taka 20,000 to 30,000 in every month from after few months, he added.
He said the special products (dolls) have been exporting about 37 countries across the globe. About 80 percent of products are exporting in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. The three countries are the big clients of those products, he added