Who made my shawl/ Kaftan?

Basha located in Bangladesh purposely seeks to employ women at high risk of harm or exploitation and abuse. Most of these women begin as unskilled and illiterate.

These items are so much more than an item of clothing - Each item is about women empowerment! 

Most of our products have the signature of the woman who made it. You can find her story here :).

Elija

My name is Elija. I grew up in an orphanage. When I was four years old, my mother left me in an orphanage. I didn’t continue my studies. I left that orphanage when I was 15 years old. I realized that leaving home was my biggest mistake. My husband helps me a lot but it is not enough for a family. I have only one son, and I want to give him a proper education that will help him to have a bright future. I am happy with Basha daycare. I can keep my son there before I start my work. I will work hard for him. I think Basha is the right place for women who want to work near their children.

Niru

I am Niru. I have two sons. I have started to support my family after getting this job at Basha. Now my husband and his family members are well behaved and some people in my community have started to respect me. I feel many things have changed in my life after joining Basha. I am happy and I am grateful to those who helped me to get this job. It’s a blessing from my almighty God. I wish to continue this job for as long as I can.

Rahena

My name is Rahena. I have one son. I work at Basha and I love to make kantha throws. I want to make my son’s future better. All my family members are illiterate, but I want to give my son a proper education that will help to make his future bright. Without education my son’s future will be as dark as mine. I will work hard for his future. I love my son more than anything else.

Chadni

My name is Chadni. I have one son. My husband is a van puller. I started working at Basha on September 26, 2022. I love to work here because of the safe working environment and because I can keep my son in daycare. I think daycare is the biggest support for all mothers who are working here. Our children receive food, education, care, and love. The children love to come to daycare. I love to make kantha throws and I hope to make a big size blanket like king size very soon.

Vocti

My name is Vocti. I have been working at Basha since July 2022. My life has changed a lot. I didn’t know about education, but now I have learned many things such as life skills, cleanliness, and behavior. I like working at Basha. There are many activities besides work such as study and recreation. I have no children. I want to work in this office and build my own house in the future. I want to see myself as an independent woman. After working at Basha my family learned to value me a lot. I learned hand stitching from training. In the beginning, I found it difficult to learn stitching, but now I can make any product. I’m so glad that the products I make represent our country’s heritage to the world. My favorite product is the kantha throw. I help others with their work, and I am proud that I can earn something now.

Seli

I am Seli. I have two sons and one daughter. They are all going to school and my younger son comes to daycare. I started working at Basha on July 26, 2022. My favorite product is the small size kantha because that is easy to learn. It takes two days to finish. I like to work at Basha because this place is very safe for women. My dream is to be self-dependent and have my children educated and established. My family and community changed since I started working at Basha. They value me for working in an office. I have my own identity in the products I make and of that I am proud. Now I know that I can work in this office and earn.

Joshna

My name is Joshna. I have been working at Basha since July 2022. I have two daughters. My husband is not taking good care of us as he is drug addicted. They are staying with my mother-in-law. My life has changed after joining Basha. Before, my situation was very difficult. I needed to earn more money to run the family. Before I used to get angry so easily, but now I am learning to be patient and give soft answers. I like to work at Basha because of the good environment and safety for women. First, I started making a product that seemed difficult. My favorite product is small size kantha. It takes two days to make. I want to see myself as a self- reliant woman. Now I can earn for my family from the products I make. I am proud that I can earn and help my family and I am grateful to Basha for giving me this opportunity.

Sharna

My name is Sharna. I started working at Basha on July 26, 2022. I have one son and daughter. They are going to school and coming to daycare. My husband did not work regularly. He abused me and didn’t take care of family. Now my life has changed after joining Basha. I didn’t study and didn’t know about life skills, but now I know how to read and write letters and about health matters, cleanliness, and good behavior. I like to work at Basha because there are many activities besides work, for instance, studies, activities, and exercise. I think the products I make represent our country’s heritage and culture. My favorite product is the standard kantha throw. At first, I found it hard to learn. It takes 3 days to make one. Now I can make any product. I learned the work through Basha training. I have good sewing skills with which I can help others. After five years, I want to have a house of my own. My husband stopped abusing me after I began coming to work here. My husband and the community appreciate me a lot for working at Basha. I am proud to work in such a beautiful office where I can earn and feel safe.

Hosna

My name is Hosna. I have two children. My husband does not work or support our family. He is a drug addict. Due to lack of money, I did housework as a maid servant. Often my husband fights with me and beats me. Many days my children and I did not get food to eat. Now I have the opportunity to work at Basha as a producer. I can keep my children at daycare in a safe environment. My eldest child did not read and write properly, but now daycare staff take care of my child. My daughter is learning so many good things from them. I am grateful to Almighty God and to Basha that they have given me the chance to develop my life. My hope is to make beautiful products and to earn money to make my children’s future bright.

Razia

My name is Razia. Due to the financial difficulties of my family, my parents arranged my marriage at the early age of fifteen. I have one little daughter. Four years ago, my husband was arrested by the police on false charges. For that reason I borrowed a lot of money. I lived with my mother-in-law. It is difficult to depend on other people. I am very happy that my daughter is staying in Basha’s daycare. She is playing with other children and learning so many things. I am happy that she receives nutritious food and good care from the staff. I am grateful to Basha for this opportunity. My hope is to make beautiful kantha and earn money to pay off all our loans and give my children a beautiful life.

Santa

I am Santa. My parents passed away when I was a child, so I lived with my grandmother. I have one son. My present husband is his stepfather. My husband does not give any support to us. My husband married another woman without my permission. Before joining the Basha Boutique, I worked as a servant in other homes and collected food. Sometimes my child and I would spend the day without food. My son left school because of our financial problems. I am happy that he receives good care and nutritious food from the daycare staff. Now I can support both of us. I am grateful to Basha for this opportunity. I wish to make beautiful kantha and earn much money to give my child a bright future.

Renu

I am Renu. My husband has been suffering from kidney complications for eight long years. He is not able to work or support our family. I have two daughters. They are living with their husbands. I had no work to earn money and it was not possible for me to support my husband’s treatment. In this situation, I took on a lot of debt to other people. I know that the Basha Boutique works to change the life of helpless women. I received the opportunity from Basha to have training. Now I can work at Basha Boutique as a producer. I am able to earn money with dignity and give much support to my husband for his treatment. As well, I can pay all my debts. I am grateful to Almighty God and the Basha Boutique. 

If her name is not here please email us and we will email her story to you.

Show her how you love her product by sharing on facebook or instagram and tagging #mybasha She will be thrilled and proud to see your appreciation for her work!