Background:

Mrs. Nomita Samadder, who can write only her name, has an exceptional talent for crafting beautiful handmade products. I first met her in 1990 when she was a school dropout, helping her mother create mats, baskets, and jute angels and stars. In 2005, I met her again after she had married and moved to the village of Shosikor, where she had begun producing for SHOHOJOGITA.

Journey to Work:

Nomita, full of energy and bright dreams for her family and community, shared her plans with us and offered to help expand our work into her remote village. Despite the village being difficult to access, with water everywhere and only boats serving as transportation, Nomita invited me to visit. Upon arrival, I was amazed to meet 55 enthusiastic women, all eager to work for SHOHOJOGITA.

Nomita immediately arranged a training program for the women to learn how to make braided jute baskets and floor mats, which became a cornerstone of their work. As women in rural Bangladesh often face limited economic opportunities and social exclusion, this was a significant step toward empowering the women in her community.

Challenges and Support:

Nomita faced a difficult situation when her father-in-law separated her family from the joint household, leaving them without proper living space. To support her, I contacted Mrs. Pamela McGann from Siham Craftlink in Australia, who agreed to fund the construction of a new house for Nomita. SHOHOJOGITA also contributed to building a sanitary toilet facility. Thanks to this support, Nomita was able to build a two-story house with solid concrete pillars and tin sheets, ensuring a safer and more stable life for her family.

Leadership and Impact:

Today, Nomita is the successful manager of 65 women artisans in Shosikor, Madaripur district. She handles a variety of responsibilities, from distributing work orders and dyeing jute to checking product quality and organizing skill training for new artisans. She ensures that wages are paid on time and addresses production issues, all while maintaining a high standard of work.

Thanks to her hard work and dedication, SHOHOJOGITA continues to receive high-quality products, and Nomita is a proud mother of two children who are both attending school. She says, “I may not be able to read and write, but I am happy that my children are fulfilling my dreams and supporting SHOHOJOGITA.