Artisans
FEATURED ARTISAN: Bella from Biborton Handmade Paper Project, Southern Bangladesh
In the early 1990’s, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) had developed handmade paper technology as part of its job creation program in Bangladesh. They created Biborton Handmade Paper Project, which specialized in making paper from water hyacinth, a common weed that clogs waterways. They focused on women who are heads of households, have low or no income, are landless, and are primarily rural.
Since beginning in 1993, Biborton has grown dramatically with over 90 women employed in the production, shipping, and designing of paper products, including greeting cards, journals, photo albums, and boxes. They receive regular orders, meaning regular income, and also have developed a profit-sharing dividend for the workers.
Bella was a 16 year-old single mother who, after giving birth to her son, was abandoned by her husband. Bella had no home, no income, and a child to take care of. Her family, because of its own poverty, made her life difficult as well, finally bringing her back but stigmatizing her because she was a single mother. She found it impossible to find work, especially because she was illiterate. Life was very hard, and she and her son often went hungry.
When she was 20, she noticed that one of her neighbors was regularly walking to and from a job somewhere nearby. She asked her neighbor where she was working and if there was any work for her. She was told about Biborton, about making paper products, and was invited to come along the next day.
After visiting the project, she was invited to interview with the manager, who asked many questions about her family, her income, her house, her education, and her job experience. She answered honestly that she had no income, was a single mother, had no education, lived with her parents, and had never had a job before. To her great surprise, the manager stood up at the end of the interview, shook her hand, and told she had a job. "Come back tomorrow, Bella."
Bella started learning to make paper boxes and now is one of the most experienced workers at Biborton. She has also learned to read and write, and she has the money to put her son through school. (In Bangladesh, people have to pay fees in order for their children to go school.) She works 5-6 days a week, 8 hours a day, and her average income is well above the average farm or construction worker.
Another side benefit of Biborton Handmade Paper Project is that a number of small retail businesses, called dokans, have sprung up near Biborton. Dokan owners have seen the benefits of having 85 income-earning women walking past their businesses.
Bella’s story is repeated over and over with the products that are sold in Plowsharing Crafts. Your purchase does make a difference in the lives of our producers.
FEATURED ARTISAN: Bella from Biborton Handmade Paper Project, Southern Bangladesh
In the early 1990’s, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) had developed handmade paper technology as part of its job creation program in Bangladesh. They created Biborton Handmade Paper Project, which specialized in making paper from water hyacinth, a common weed that clogs waterways. They focused on women who are heads of households, have low or no income, are landless, and are primarily rural.
Since beginning in 1993, Biborton has grown dramatically with over 90 women employed in the production, shipping, and designing of paper products, including greeting cards, journals, photo albums, and boxes. They receive regular orders, meaning regular income, and also have developed a profit-sharing dividend for the workers.
Bella was a 16 year-old single mother who, after giving birth to her son, was abandoned by her husband. Bella had no home, no income, and a child to take care of. Her family, because of its own poverty, made her life difficult as well, finally bringing her back but stigmatizing her because she was a single mother. She found it impossible to find work, especially because she was illiterate. Life was very hard, and she and her son often went hungry.
When she was 20, she noticed that one of her neighbors was regularly walking to and from a job somewhere nearby. She asked her neighbor where she was working and if there was any work for her. She was told about Biborton, about making paper products, and was invited to come along the next day.
After visiting the project, she was invited to interview with the manager, who asked many questions about her family, her income, her house, her education, and her job experience. She answered honestly that she had no income, was a single mother, had no education, lived with her parents, and had never had a job before. To her great surprise, the manager stood up at the end of the interview, shook her hand, and told she had a job. "Come back tomorrow, Bella."
Bella started learning to make paper boxes and now is one of the most experienced workers at Biborton. She has also learned to read and write, and she has the money to put her son through school. (In Bangladesh, people have to pay fees in order for their children to go school.) She works 5-6 days a week, 8 hours a day, and her average income is well above the average farm or construction worker.
Another side benefit of Biborton Handmade Paper Project is that a number of small retail businesses, called dokans, have sprung up near Biborton. Dokan owners have seen the benefits of having 85 income-earning women walking past their businesses.
Bella’s story is repeated over and over with the products that are sold in Plowsharing Crafts. Your purchase does make a difference in the lives of our producers.
