#whomadeyourproduct
The women behind the products
Every time I am in Bangladesh I am lucky enough to be at home and visit some of the women who make products for Manelleh. Meet some of them here and hear their story.
Many of the women have both a sewing machine at home and in the sewing studio. Two days a week they are in the sewing room and the other days they sit at home. In this way, they make their family and work lives go together.
Mother of two children
Sharmin Akter Lovely
Lovely has worked for Saidpur Enterprises (Manelleh's first business partner) for 11 years.
Before Loveley started at Saidpur Enterprises, both she and her husband were unemployed. Today, the man works in one of the local shops, and Loveley is one of the women who hand sews beautiful kantha rugs and cushions for Manlleh. She earns a living wage support himself and his two children, one of which has just started school (in playgroup). She has also been able to pay for with her earned money the renovation of the family house.
Lovely (and the other women at Saidpur Enterprises) earns a fair wage, receives a half-yearly bonus and pension - and in addition she receives ongoing professional training.
Mother of two children
Farida
Farida has worked for Saidpur Enterprises (Manelleh's first business partner) for 15 years.
She earns a living wage support himself and ensure schooling for his child, who is in third grade. She has also been able to for her earned money buy an auto rickshaw (bike taxi) to her husband so he can earn more money for the family. In addition, she has borne the costs for his little sister's wedding. Finally she has paid for the renovation of the family house.
Farida (and the other women at Saidpur Enterprises) earns a fair wage, receives a half-yearly bonus and pension - and in addition she receives ongoing professional training.
Mother of five children
Rubaida
Rubaida has worked for Saidpur Enterprises (Manelleh's first business partner) for 14 years.
She earns a living wage support and ensure schooling for his five children. She also helps her husband with his business. She contributes to him being able to buy more products (clothes) for his business, so that he can sell more and thus earn more money for the family. Through her work and for the salary she has earned for the past 14 years, she has paid for the renovation of the family house, and then she has bought a small extra piece of land.
Rubaida (and the other women at Saidpur Enterprises) earns a fair wage, receives half-yearly bonus, annual dividend, pension
and in addition she receives continuous professional training.
In the picture she is standing with her youngest child.