The intricate patterns flowing from Salma Khatun’s needle tell stories of heritage, resilience, and hope. Through ESDR’s cultural preservation program, this 31-year-old master embroiderer has become a guardian of traditional arts while creating new opportunities for women in her community.
Salma learned embroidery from her mother and grandmother, but ESDR’s program helped her refine her techniques and understand the commercial potential of traditional crafts. “Our needlework carries the soul of our culture,” she says, examining a delicate pattern. “Every stitch connects us to our ancestors and our identity.”
The program taught her advanced embroidery techniques, design principles, quality control, and business skills. She learned to document traditional patterns, adapt designs for modern markets, and teach others to maintain high standards of craftsmanship.
Salma now leads a women’s craft cooperative where 12 women create beautiful embroidered items for local and international markets. She teaches traditional techniques while encouraging creative innovation, ensuring that ancient arts remain relevant and profitable.
“When women earn money from their traditional skills, they gain respect and independence while preserving our culture,” Salma explains. Her cooperative has not only provided income but has also become a space where women share stories, support each other, and pass cultural knowledge to younger generations.
