Handicraft items on sale at the Srijani office in Patna. Picture by Ashok Sinha

Four years ago, Sushila Devi used to earn Rs 1,500 a month by cleaning human waste from the streets of the state capital. Today, she earns three times more by working with Srijani, an enterprise that aims to empower marginalised women.

Srijani has trained around 200 women like Sushila to make handicraft and home décor items ever since it opened doors in 2008. Before that, the enterprise imparted basic education to the women.

The organisation trained the women to make, home décor items, furniture made of bamboo and accessories from recycled silk. Madhubani paintings, stationeries, saris, kurtis and stoles embellished with sujani, kathwa and appliqué work have helped the 200-plus women earn a decent income and run their households comfortably.

One of Srijani’s specialities is Stree Katha, an art form though which the women depict narratives from their lives on different types of fabric.

As a teenager, Sushila had dreams of a happy married life when she wed Suresh Ram in 1998. However, her dreams were shattered within six years when Ram, an alcoholic, died leaving behind their two sons for Sushila to raise.

She said: “My life had become miserable after the death of my husband. I had two sons to take care of when I only used to get Rs 1,500 from my job. But Srijani gave me a fresh lease of life. Now, I earn Rs 4,500 a month. I have been able to send my younger son, Sunny, to take tuitions. He wants to become a teacher. I hope he realises his dream.”

To promote the handicraft made by Sushila and other former cleaners like her, Srijani has organised an exhibition-cum-sale at its office. Although the sale, Summer Collection 2012, started on Friday and was scheduled to end on Sunday, it has been extended to seven more days on popular demand. Residents can now visit Srijani on the Ashiana-Digha road to take their pick among the handicraft items till May 13.

Urvashi Nayan, who heads Srijani’s bamboo section, said: “Handicraft worth Rs 2.5 lakh were sold in the first three days. The response made us extend the exhibition,” she added.

For 40-year-old Rajkumari Devi, joining Srijani has been the best decision of her life. “I am no more illiterate. Srijani gave me basic education. I know how to make home décor items from cane and bamboo and also Madhubani paintings,” she said.