Sneolata

We met Sneolata in January 1997.

Sneolata is the manager of a women’s group in an isolated rural community near Agailjhara, Bangladesh. The other members of the group chose her to be their leader. They call themselves Keya Palm Handicrafts, after the palm tree whose leaves they use for many of their products.

The group began with 7 women. Today they have about 60 members. Most are uneducated, and many are single parents. They pooled some of their funds, bought a plot of land and put up a small building. They work there together so they can develop new products and improve techniques, and the most skilled members can teach those who need more help.

Sneolata and her group make woven star dangles and garlands. They are all now able to feed their children properly and send them to school. They do their own designs and run their own organization, which is clearly a great source of pride in a region where women have few rights or opportunities. They are also now part of a larger group called Prokritee that helps market their crafts to fair trade organizations around the world.

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