Malkangiri: There was a time when they had to struggle to fill their stomachs, but now they have set examples for others.
The tribal women of Pedaopada in Malkangiri district have become self-sufficient by making bamboo goods after obtaining training from the district administration.
The residents of this village in Kalimela block, a Maoist infested village, depend on farming. But the women planned to do something different and tried their luck in bamboo craft.
The Integrated Tribal Development Agency trained some Self Help Groups in this. Later, the women were provided a community house where they are now making bamboo goods.
The women buy bamboo from locals or collect them from nearby jungles for their products. They slice the bambo pieces before polishing them. They turn them into flowers, flower vases, peacocks, small houses, mobile phone holders, pen stands, mats and other articles. They also make household items according to the need of the customers. The women sell the bamboo products at fairs held in the locality.
The women who were once housewives have become self-employed and created their own identities. For three years they have been earning extra money for their families. We can earn more if the government helps us, said Rukmini Kirasani, a member of the group.
Hari Khemudu, a resident of the village, said the women were indeed creating beautiful things using bamboo. They can improve their skills if the government helps them, he added.
Earlier, three groups were provided training and a community house. Now, they are making bamboo products and have become self-sufficient. “We will try to develop these groups,” said ITDA’s project administrator Ramkrushna Gond.
PNN
