A Fair Trade Journey, The Biborton Handmade paper project

Any of the information in this story or photos may be reprinted for promotional purposes on the conditional proviso it is stated that it has been provided “Courtesy of Siham Craftlink www.sihamcraftlink.com”


Photos http://www.sihamcraftlink.com/album/biborton/index.htm These photos are in an album format and the small photos when clicked open to larger photos.

Entering Biborton Hand made Paper Project in Barisal in south western Bangladesh was like walking into some form of abstract art gallery. As we passed the beautiful little red rose garden, beside the water pond, an array of red, yellow and white "art forms" were shining on the green lawn in the suns brilliance. The "art gallery" was row on row of handmade paper secured in wooden frames drying naturally with the heat from the sun.
Biborton Handmade Paper Project commenced in 1993. M.C.C. ( the products are purchased from Prokritee) developed the technology to make hand made paper in response to the need for job creation in Bangladesh.
Twelve producers were originally employed in 1993. They were home based.Today there are 75 full time producers and 62 seasonal producers( depending on product demand).There are also 12 management staff. The focus for the producers employed at Biborton are women who are heads of their households, have low or no income and are landless.

As we walked around the complex, it felt like going back in time, going back to the grassroots of paper production. The different processes were explained to us, no high technology here! Big black vats soak the pulp for approximately three and a half hours before being boiled. The waste from the sawmill is used to furnace the fires. Two ladies were using dangerous looking sickles to hand cut the jute fibre. One lady was even standing in a large vat up to her waist filled with water and jute pulp. She was "mashing"it with her feet. However when the wet season arrives, the paper is dried mechanically instead of in the sun.
The Biborton project specializes in the making of paper from the water hyacinth plant( the stem is used) This plant which is not native to Bangladesh is causing immense problems destructively clogging the waterways and ponds. The river beside where we were staying was clogged in parts with water hyacinth plants. A small boat was struggling to move through it. Making paper is a creative response to a difficult environmental problem. Although specializing in paper made from the water hyacinth plant, paper and paper products such as journals, gift boxes and Christmas decorations are also made from jute, cotton and bamboo silk.
This producer group has received regular orders for several years and so thankfully the women have had regular work. Profit sharing is also divided between the producers.Whilst we were there they were making paper which will be heading for Australia!
The women walk to and from their villages daily to the Biborton project. Some people have seen this opportunity and set up small retail businesses, called dokans beside the road/ pathway. Well women do love to shop even if it is only to purchase a small snack to eat!

A Fair Trade Journey, The Lao Song Handcraft Group

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The Fair Trade journey continues, The Lao Song Handcraft Group
Photos located at click link, thumbnails open to larger images



The Lao Song Handcraft Group Thailand



About one and a half hours drive from the heart of Bangkok, Thailand, are the Lao Song Group of Artisans. After driving up and down narrow roads surrounded by rice fields we arrived at the house where some of the artisans had gathered to meet us. The wooden house , built high off the ground is typical of homes in this area.



The Lao Song group of artisans comprises thirty ladies and three men. This most versatile group handstitch the most delightful decorations and soft toys. The stitching is so fine that I asked twice if the stitching is by hand or by machine.



I was reassured that everything is handstitched( except zips which require the extra strength of stitching by the treadle sewing machines)



On the day that we visited, a group of twelve women and one man had gathered. They sat quietly on the wooden floor. Displayed in front of them was a wonderful diverse selection of their products. I was told by Wantana Tianhom , their kind and caring leader , that most of the artisans involved in this group have health problems. Lui was one of the ladies who had gathered to meet us. She had only recently returned from hospital after having a below knee amputation due to diabetes. Many of the artisans suffer from diabetes, cancer and thyroid problems. When they receive orders for their products there is much joy,there is renewed energy and new hope. Many are able to pay for their medical bills from the income earned. For some it is their main income. For others who work in the rice fields, they are able to supplement their income and pay for their childrens education.



I was told that there were four years when the rice fields failed and during this time the sale of the handwork was the only means of income for this village. The group support each other. Ton is very poor and rice is regularly given to her for her family.



Some of the work is organized in their homes ( the ladies carried little bags or baskets with their partly completed work). At other times they come together in the Lao Song House and work together. For some items they may work as a team eg one person do the cutting, another the embellishment and another the sewing. Some of the artisans specialize in the making of different items.



Originally the designs were created by missionaries but now Wantana has this role. When orders are received for this group, Wantana travels to Bangkok to purchase the materials.



Siham craftlink will be adding to their present range from the Lao Song Group.



New Christmas decorations arriving for 2010 include the majestic standing reindeer , silver Christmas wreath with poinsettia decoration and a graceful butterfly decoration.



And... amongst the decorations on display I found a Mr. skiing reindeer to accompany Mrs. skiing reindeer which we presently stock.



The Lao Song items are purchased through ThaiCraft Association, a non profit Organization. ThaiCraft works in partnership with over 70 community based artisan groups . ThaiCrafts objectives are to promote self-reliance for craftspeople with income generating opportunities and to preserve indigenous craft traditions in Thailand. As a member of the International Federation of Alternate Trade ( IFAT) , ThaiCraft is committed to promoting fair trade practices with a concern for the social, economic and environmental well-being of craft producers.

A Fair Trade Journey, The Keya Palm Handcrafts Story

Any of the information in this story or photos may be reprinted for promotional purposes on the conditional proviso it is stated that it has been provided “Courtesy of Siham Craftlink" http://www.sihamcraftlink.com/


Photos These photos(click on link) are in an album format and the small photos when clicked open to larger photos.

Keya Palm Handicrafts Group Bangladesh

With rice fields surrounding and a winding river nearby , we visited the Keya Palm Group situated in the tranquil area of Barisal in south western Bangladesh. To visit this area required approximately seven hours travelling from Dhaka the capital. Because of the distance we were fortunate to stay in the Prokritee "Guest House" nearby overnight. How do you describe the Guest House- well, rather rustic and quaint . Certainly a challenge climbing the stairs ( more like a ladder) to reach the loft where we slept. The little dwelling is situated next to the river ( which is very low at present awaiting the wet season) but separated from the river by a little dirt road/ track . We were awakened in the morning hearing the first sounds of village life . The few rickshaw carts rattling by, the roosters crowing, the occasional motor bike , the laughter of children and the chatter between people as the day began.



The Keya Palm Handicrafts Group commenced in 1987 with seven women. Today there are 50 permanent producers and 20 part time producers . Of course the number of people employed at any one time depends on the orders received. I was told that last year was a very difficult year in this sense.



The head speaker from this group said that when some women joined that they hadn’t eaten for three days. Now because of their work , they can feed their families properly, can educate their children and wear clean clothes. The smiles on their faces said it all.



I often wondered how this group had access to the raw material ( palm leaf) during the wet season. My answer was in front of me.. The palm leaves are dried in the sun for three to four days. There was storage for the dried palm leaves in two small tin sheds in the complex outside the main room where the women were busily working. Also at the back of the main work room is another little thatched hut where the dyeing is done. Alojoydhar , the dyeing specialist happily and proudly appeared to have her photo taken by the big vat where the palm leaf is boiled in the coloured mix. Only AZO free dyes tested by the European market are used. Any “scraps”of palm leaves is used to fuel the fire. There was also a big mound of wood to be used for heating the fire . This wood has been collected before the rainy season. The wood is sustainable, being approved by the Forestry Department in Bangladesh. Every year the trees are replanted.



However inside the large room is where all the activity was taking place. About thirty women sitting on palm leaf mats were busily making little jewellery boxes for an Italian buyer. Watching these ladies quietly but busily weaving the baskets was enthralling. Their foot, hand and eye co-ordination wonderful to see. There were bowls of water sitting on the floor. This is to wet the cut palm leaf strips to make it more flexible and easier to weave. The ladies are paid per piece ( different amounts apply here for different types of work depending on the complexity of the item) as well as a base rate per month. The ladies can weave approximately three small boxes per day.



The ladies are extremely thankful to have palm leaf work. However their lives are certainly not easy. One lady that I spoke to ( through an interpreter) starts her day at 4 a.m. with morning prayer. There is then cooking and cleaning to be organized before she starts her 3 km walk to the Keya Palm Centre. At days end, she then walks the 3kms back to her village.



I was very impressed to see a beautiful large vegetable garden thriving at the entrance to the compound. The ladies when not busy weaving beautiful items tend the garden patch so that they can have fresh vegetables for their family. At this centre there is also classes for the illiterate.



We left the Keya Palm Handicrafts group feeling so inspired. When leaving , some of the ladies shared their joy and happiness to be making items for the Australian market. Oh and yes! they were also very eager to share with us that with continued orders and support, the joyful positive impact that this has on their lives.



Pam McGann

Director

Siham Craftlink 11/3/2010

A Fair Trade Journey

Fair Trade Journey,

Any of the information in this story or photos may be reprinted for promotional purposes on the conditional proviso it is stated that it has been provided courtesy of Siham Craftlink www.sihamcraftlink.com

We have returned!!

We have seen so much, we have learnt so much and carry so much in our hearts . Over time I will be sharing stories about the different fair trade producer groups we visited in Thailand, Bangladesh and India, sharing personal stories about some of the very special and talented artisans and also some of our adventure!

My plan is that approximately every two weeks I will be sending you a story with photographs. This will also be going up on my blog on my website. Between the four travellers , we have taken thousands of photos , so when we have had time to download them all and sort through them, there will also be photos that you will be able to use for promotion.

A lot of the fun was sourcing new items. Thankyou to everyone who gave me ideas of what to look for and also ideas as to what is "trendy" in todays market. I dont think you will be disappointed. An amazing array of new items will be filtering through during the year. A big emphasis of what I am buying is in the homeware range. I dont like to miss anything and it was such fun checking out samples in ancient looking old cupboards.( often by candlelight as there is frequent power shedding in Bangladesh and we always seemed to be running behind schedule – of course this was always my fault!! ) Bagdha and Japobar producer groups are in the Barisal area of Bangladesh ( seven hours drive each way , plus a half hour ferry ride over a very wide river from the capital Dhaka) And not to mention the last two kilometres in a rickshaw cart jumping up and down over dusty and stony pathways , waving to the village children as the hysterical four Aussies hung on for their lives! It feels like travelling to the remotest parts of the earth to source the richness of fair trade crafts. When we called into one village, many of the people hadn’t seen white people before, so perhaps we did travel to one of the four ends of the world!
I have come back appreciating immensely the importance of keeping sustainable markets open for the artisans. Every artisan desperately needs continuous work ( which is one of the ideals/ ethics of fair trade) and I want to thank you on behalf of the artisans for keeping this lifeline open . With the recession last year many producers for Corr the Jute Works did not receive orders. This organization was in a position to train many of these otherwise unemployed women into sewing jute bags , an area of high demand at present. Not every fair trade organization is in this position. It was a joy sitting with the artisans, laughing with them and seeing at the grassroots level the magic of their skilled hands and the happiness on their faces because they have the opportunity to work under fair trade standards. I look forward to sharing so many stories.

Warmest regards

Pam