The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Gaibandha

Small Enterprise and Market Promotion Intervention (SEMPI) of the River Erosion Project under Practical Action-Bangladesh, a non-government organisation, is working for creating job opportunities of the river erosion girls of the district.

The officials sources said, the organisation has been implementing different welfare activities including construction of cluster village and multipurpose flood shelters, fish culture and relief distribution for the river erosion victims living in the Teesta and Brahmaputra rivers basins of the district.

The work of cross-stitch hand embroidery (Karchupi) is one of the activities of the organisation.

A total of five karchupi centres have been set up in Shorishar Khamar, Durgapur area and Baguria village under Sadar upazila, Ketkirhaat area under Fulchhori upazila and Nilkuthi dam area under Shaghata upazila of the district.

At least 260 girls were working in the Karchupi centres. Earlier, they were also imparted three-month training on setting Kafrchupi chumki, and puthi in the clothes, said Abdur Rahim Kajol, coordinator of SEMPI.

A buyer said ordinary a set of three pieces is being sold at Taka 300 but after setting karchupi, chumki and other designs the three pieces is being sold at Taka 800 to 1000 in the markets.

Each of the girls is given Taka 150 for setting the Karchupi and chumki on each set of three pieces.

The trained girls have become self-reliant and some of them are giving financial support to their families.

The marriages of some girls were also being solemnised without dowry as they are earning, the sources said.