In two villages of Paba Upazila in Rajshahi, the income earned by mothers from stitching traditional nakshi kantha quilts is not only supporting their families but also financing the education of their children.
At Sishuprabhat Vidyaniketan in Bhugrail Christianpara, children attend classes while their mothers gather nearby to embroider intricate floral, geometric and rural motifs on nakshi kantha. The proceeds from the sale of the handmade quilts are used to meet the operational costs of the school.
The initiative has been launched by Sumi Murmu, founder and director of Nari O Shishu Kalyan Sangstha, with the aim of creating employment opportunities for women from small ethnic communities and ensuring education for their children.
"Our children would not have had the opportunity to study if this school did not exist," said one Mahali mother, reflecting the importance of the project for the local community.
Murmu said women in the area traditionally worked as agricultural labourers, leaving home early in the morning and returning in the afternoon with little time to supervise their children's education. As a result, many children eventually followed their parents into the same occupation.
To address these challenges, she introduced handicraft production after receiving training from the Department of Youth Development. Beginning with Nakshi Kantha made at her own home, she gradually involved other women in the community.
On Saturday, 172 women work under the programme. Some stitch Nakshi Kantha, while others are engaged in block printing, finishing, ironing and packaging. Depending on their skills and workload, they earn between Tk3,500 and Tk15,000 a month.
Each quilt sells for Tk800 to Tk10,000, and around 150 pieces are sold every month through two retail outlets operating under the brand Prakriti Collection.
The organisation does not rely on external donations. Income from handicraft sales covers the salaries of teachers and staff, school rent and other operating expenses.
Murmu's own life has been shaped by hardship. Born into a poor family in Rajshahi, she continued her education despite early marriage and motherhood. She later graduated from Rajshahi College, earned a master's degree in Political Science, completed a Bachelor of Education and an MBA from the University of Rajshahi, and worked briefly in the private banking sector before leaving to focus on community development.
After receiving registration from the Department of Social Services in 2022, the organisation reopened two previously closed schools in Bhugrail and Santoshpur villages. The schools now provide education from playgroup to Grade IV, serving children from different communities. Each school has four teachers and a caregiver, with all expenses met from handicraft income.
Father Liton Costa of Bhugrail Church said the church had leased the school building at a nominal rent to support education among disadvantaged communities.
The women have also expanded their product range by introducing more than 300 designs inspired by contemporary patterns while preserving traditional nakshi kantha motifs, including lotus flowers, birds, fish and geometric designs.
For many families, the initiative has brought financial stability and renewed hope, demonstrating how traditional craftsmanship can sustain both livelihoods and education.
