Swallows, Bangladesh

Swallows is based in a remote rural clay-earthed village, Thanapara Swallows, near the Ganges River in north-west Bangladesh.

Two Kumudini producers assemble clothing details

A woman at Swallows cuts a Bora Aksu pattern out of a People Tree plaid print

In 1971 the village was devastated when all the adult males were massacred during the war of Independence. These men were the family breadwinners and in a society where the women cooked and the men earned for the family, it was a total disaster.

Swallows is a women's project that was set up to provide opportunities for these women who suddenly found that they were the head of the household. Usually in Bangladesh weaving is usually considered a 'man's job', but at Swallows women have learnt to do everything for themselves; weaving, dyeing, making and embroidering the garments.

The naturally and azo-free dyed yarns are hand woven into fabrics, then hand embellished with embroidery, and tailored, providing work for over 200 women. Profits from Fair Trade help cover the running costs of the Swallows school for 320 children. People Tree started a daycare centre for 60 babies and toddlers in 2007.

Guinea, a Swallows' producer feels that discrimination and lack of opportunity for women in Bangladesh are the biggest barriers to improving living conditions there. But she says:

"The Fair Trade principles applied by People Tree have created economic stability for Swallows, allowing it to become an independent organisation, this has led to the empowerment of the women of Thanapara."