Physically challenged women find success in carpet making

Handloomed carpets and mats produced by physically challenged women in Mymensingh are becoming popular with both domestic and international consumers.

The products made at a workshop in the district are sold in upscale shops in Dhaka and exported to over 12 countries, including the UK, Japan, and France.

In 1997, Swiss citizen Brother Frank started a community centre in the Kanchijhuli Town Hall area of Mymensingh for the differently abled people. The organisation trained physically challenged people in weaving carpets with handlooms.

Shefali Akhter, daughter of Idris Ali from the Ismat area of the city, attended training at the centre in 2004. She mastered several crafts and later became in charge of the whole section.

In 2015, the French government invited Shefali to the Global Disability Summit in recognition of her contribution.

In 2019, she separated from the community centre and built Protibondhi Atmounnoyon Songstha with 15 workers for the physically challenged at the Kachijhuli intersection of the city.

The organisation opened five more branches in 2020 in Ismat, Taragaon, Mirzapur, Rahmatpur and Begunbari areas of the city. Currently, 200 physically challenged men, women and children are making their livelihood by working at the organisation.

The stories of the struggle to become self-reliant are similar for Sabina Akhtar, Rahima Begum, Babli Akhtar, Roksana, Setu, Rita, Namita Roy and other differently abled individuals working at the organisation.

Nopali Chambugong, one such individual, could not continue her studies but by working as a carpet weaver, she was able to help her sister graduate from university.

“I could not attend school as a child due to my physical condition and lack of finances. I never imagined living a normal life like many others in society but Shefali Apa has given me hope. She said she will get me admitted to school,” Nopali said.

The proprietress of the organisation, Shefali Akhter, recently got admitted to the intermediate level after passing the SSC examination from Bangladesh Open University.

She commandeers the whole organisation as the in-charge and chief designer of operations alongside continuing her studies.

Many products such are carpets, floor mats, wall mats, cushion covers, tote bags, laptop bags, and recycled mats are made at the workshops. These products are made from woollen yarn and old clothes pieces.

Wall mats sell for Tk 5,000-50,000, floor mats for Tk 2,200-25,000, and carpets for Tk 2,000-50,000. Although the demand for these designer products is relatively low in the country, they are popular in other countries, such as the United States, Japan, France, Belgium, and Sweden.

Shefali said the last two export shipments were made back in 2020, but due to the pandemic, their export operations have shut down since then.

“There is a demand for these products in the elite areas of Dhaka, but we cannot afford to rent showrooms in those places. Due to low sales, we are struggling to pay the workers right now,” she said.

Director of Mymensingh Divisional Department of Social Services (DSS) Tahmina Akhter said, “We make efforts to integrate the physically challenged to work as part of the society. Shefali Akhter has made commendable efforts in her venture.”

She added that the DSS arranges stalls at various fairs for the organisation and recommends their products for government purchase if required.