Mamata Khatriya is now self-sufficient
Mamata Khatriya is 35 years old. Her husband Dharma Khatriya earns a living by doing daily laborer. The total number of people in their family is 04 including one son and one daughter. Her house is in Sidhlipara village of Ghoshgaon union in Dhobaura upazila of Mymensingh district. About 40 families live here. Everyone is a follower of Sanatan religion (Hadi tribal). Almost everyone lives on daily laborer. The rate of education in this village is negligible. Child marriage, dowry system, violence against women seems to have become a culture in the village. As a result, Mamata got married when she was 15 years old only. In 2019, SUS SEEDS project formed Shapla self-reliant group with 13 families in Sidhalipara village. Mamata Khatriya is a member of the group. Different types of training in Bamboo crafts were imparted for the formation of off farm commercial villages in collaboration with the SEEDS project. Mamata learned to make kula, dhaki, mat etc. She is now earning around taka 150 to 200 by doing bamboo-cane work in addition to household works.
With the help of the project, she has entered into an agreement with a bamboo-cane wholesaler named Sumon Khatriya. She makes bamboo-craft products regularly and sells to contracted wholesalers. Excluding the expenses, she earns an average of taka 4500 per month and spends this surplus money for household purpose. Now, her acceptance in the family has been increased. At present, they are living a happy life together. She dreams to educate her daughter and then marry her in a good family.