Sayeeda Khatoon, Shova Handicraft

Hidden away in a maze of small alleys in the heart of Dhaka’s Mirpur neighbourhood is a very special building. It’s not significant for its size or construction, for it is merely a humble two story concrete and sheet metal box no different from all the others on the street. Its uniqueness comes from what lies within. This is the very heart of Shova Handicraft, a fair trade organization that provides employment for more than 50 women and gives the world beautiful hand-made cards expertly decorated with wheat straw.

Sayeeda Khatoon has been making wheat-straw cards for 27 years. She has seen the organization grow and change and she has changed with it. The 41-year-old mother of four started work with the Shova’s predecessor, Mirpur Wheat Straw Centre, and continued with the company through its metamorphosis into Shova.

After finishing her grade nine studies, Sayeeda got married as was expected of her. Her husband unfortunately could not provide enough through his work to support a family so at 16, Sayeeda started working herself. She found a supportive sister hood and an outlet for her creative aspirations. Now with two people bringing income into the home, life changed for Sayeeda.

Sayeeda’s face shone with pride and her smile said it all. She was earning enough to pay the school fees for her children and so her four children are in school. The pride of the family is 20-yeqr-old Razu, an engineering student at university. Sayeeda said her dream is for Razu to finish his studies and maybe go abroad and have a great job.

But Sayeeda’s dream does not stop with her son. She has plans for her 3 daughters as well. Mina, 23, is taking her high school graduation. Diva is in Grade 10 and 4-year-old Dina is learning English as it is spoken around her and looking forward to going to school. (Dina is the girl who's picture I posted earlier, holding the chocolate.)

Sayeeda will continue making cards for Shova. “I love making cards” she says with a smile. She explained that she usually works six hours a day and when there is a big order she will work seven days a week. With Mina’s help she can complete 25 cards in a day.

And what of little Dina? “She helps too,” Sayeeda says laughing. “She can do the punching.” (punching the very small pieces out of the flattened wheat straw using a mallet and a metal punch)

Over the year’s Sayeeda’s income has become more and more important to the family. “my husband is not very responsible,” she explained. “So I have taken on the whole responsibility for my family” Last year that responsibility included her extended family. Her sister and brother in law live in southern Bangladesh where, she says, “There is nothing.” After Cyclone Sidr they were left with less than nothing. Sayeeda was able to offer them help as she proudly says she was able to send them 3000 taka. This made her very happy and satisfied.

Sayeeda’s future is in her children, but she does not forget her past. When she thinks of talking to Canadians-the people who buy her cards-she would tell them about her family and how good their life is. And if it were not for this job Saeeda says, “If not for this opportunity, the kids would not go to school and we could not stay in this town We would have to go to south Bangladesh and we would have nothing.”

Interview by Sonia