Over a hundred women from ultra poor families in different areas of the district have gained self-reliance through working in doormat factories, thanks to the initiative of CARE Bangladesh.

Around two years ago, Setu Project of CARE Bangladesh arranged training on doormat making for these distressed women and Classical Handmade Products BD involved them in gainful work at five factories in different areas of the district.

"Earlier I passed hard days with my family. After getting training on doormat making from Setu

Project of CARE Bangladesh, I started working at the factory of Classical Handmade Products BD here 18 months ago," said Kalpona Begum, 42, wife of Abdul Matin at Balapukur village of Aditmari upazila.

"I am earning Tk 3,500 to 4,200 a month by producing doormats at the factory. Now I support my poor family and maintain schooling cost of my two children," she said.

“I can produce at least 10 doormats daily and get Tk 14 against one piece. 1 use a portion of the earning for schooling of our children and save the rest," Sondhya Rani, 35, wife of Nirmol Chandro

Roy at Bhatapara village of Aditmari upazila.

Bina Rani Saha, an official of Setu project, said the earning from producing doormats are helping the poor women to get rid of the cycle of poverty as they can pay off debts, arrange schooling for children, meet family requirements and save for future.

"The items produced by them are of high quality and now exported abroad. The whole process can be more streamlined for socio-economic development of thousands of ultra poor people in the monga (seasonal famine-like situation) prone area," she said.