In rural Bangladesh, women often have no opportunities to provide for themselves. MCC is a Christian development organisation that works in Bangladesh to create employment, particularly for women who are heads of households.

Increasing demand for handmade paper led to an expansion in activity and in 1996 a new papermaking centre opened. Here, paper is made in an environmentally friendly manner, often using waste as a raw material. Paper is now made from wheat straw, pineapple leaves, hemp, waste cotton, banana plants and several other indigenous plants. The paper is used to make cards, stationery and notebooks. 

All the dyes used are environmentally friendly. They don’t bind to water, but chemically bind to the product instead. This leaves the water almost clear when surplus pulp is filtered, reducing environmental concerns about the disposal of the dyed water. It also improves working conditions for the employees.

Shagupta’s story
‘My husband and I live with my father who has built a little house for us in his yard. We live here together with my two brothers and their families.

‘My husband doesn’t have work these days, so it’s extra hard for us when we both aren’t working. I make screen prints for one of MCC’s Job Creation Programmes. I really enjoy my work and am one of the most experienced workers. Twenty-one other women do printing. Six mix paints and two work in quality control. We all come from poor families and are grateful to have work.