CORR The Jute Works, Bangladesh
Corr The Jute Works (originally CARITAS, Bangladesh) is an organization of women handicraft producers that was established in 1973 to rehabilitate the war-widowed and war-affected poor rural women of Bangladesh. The aim was to provide these women with work at home.
The Jute Works is a self-supporting, non-profit charitable organization that benefits 4,622 women working in 195 artisan groups across 16 districts of Bangladesh. By creating markets for their craft, the women are empowered and receive an income that significantly improves their standard of living.
Corr has initiated a broad range of community welfare programs to benefit their members, such as: preventative health care; emergency medical assistance; installation of deep water wells; tree planting; natural-disaster assistance; counselling and skills development training. The organization also implements a gender policy with the aim of increasing opportunities and participation for women in all facets of Corr’s operations.
Jute is the "Golden Fibre" of Bangladesh. It is a vegetable fibre derived from the bark of an annual reed-like plant. The plant grows eight to ten feet high. Women use the thread from the jute plant to make a wonderful array of items including bags, toys, table mats, home accessories and decorations. Craft is also made from other raw materials including bamboo, cane, clay and wood.
CORR is a member of the International Fair Trade Association.
