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Packaging the beautiful paper products produced under free trade projects in Bangladesh |
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About Us |
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why Bangladesh? Liz Zylinski, of Liz Zed Creations, discovered Bangladesh's wonderful handcrafts while living in Bangladesh from 2000 to 2002. A keen stamper and paper crafter, many, many shopping expeditions were made to add to her paper and craft supplies.
Back in Australia, Liz has maintained her contact with Bangladesh, and is pleased to be assisting the empowerment of poor rural Bangladeshi women by sharing their wonderful products with Australian artists and crafts people. and their children. |
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To contact us: |
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where is Bangladesh? Bangladesh is a tiny nation (just over half the size of Victoria), next to India. It shares most of its border with India, and a small section in the mountainous south east with Myanmar (Burma). Originally East Pakistan, it gained independence from West Pakistan in 1971 after a bloody civil war. the people Bangladesh is the most densely populated country in the world, with a population of over 130 million people. Eighty three percent of the population is Muslim, 16 percent Hindu, and the remaining one percent Buddhist, Christian and tribal. The majority of Bangladesh's labour force works in agriculture, but there is also 40% unemployment. the land Although Bangladesh is extremely fertile, its tropical monsoon climate brings heavy summer rains, often accompanied by devastating cyclones and floods. In 1998 flooding engulfed two thirds of the country, affecting 30 million people. POVERTY Poverty is a constant companion to most Bangladeshis, with an average yearly income of under $400 Australian. In many families, women are the sole breadwinner, although often children also work. It is common to see women and children in physically demanding jobs such as breaking bricks to make gravel. This backbreaking and uncomfortable work pays less than 50c Australian per day. handicrafts These handicraft enterprises pay a fair, livable wage, and provide a clean, healthy work environment, as well as training on gender issues, nutrition, literacy and skills improvement. All enterprises are based in rural areas on an attempt to keep families together in their home villages, and stem the flow of people seeking work in the increasingly overcrowded capital, Dhaka. |
