People of Assam are under vicious cycle of flood due to rains and embankment breach every year. Regular floods not only destroy their homes but also snatch away their source of livelihood. Palahjuri village is one of the most remote and isolated village located at the bank of Mighty Brahmaputra River under Laharighat Revenue Circle in Morigaon district Assam is badly affected by the recent flood.  It takes 1 hour from district headquarter Morigaon to reach the village.

As I was walking amidst the thick dust in the village, I saw Nineteen-year-old Nami Deka weaving Chadar in front of her partially damaged house with her mother-in-law.

“They have received this weaving frame and yarn from Caritas India on March 3, 2018”, informed Hiran, the field project coordinator who was accompanying me to the village. He said this is our biggest achievement that we are not considered outsiders to the village due to the work done in the community.

I asked the ladies, why are you both weaving at the same time?

“Nami Deka is my young daughter in law and she is not expert in weaving with different designs, therefore I am teaching her how to weave with this new weaving frame.  I am getting old and not able to sit for a long time, therefore, she has to continue the traditional way of weaving”, said the mother-in-law.

I once again put a question on her mother in law of Nami Deka by asking her who had provided this new weaving frame?

“With a smile on her face she replied, I forgot the correct name but I could remember only India meaning to say Caritas India”.

I asked what are you going to do with this weaving frame?

She replied, “I am happy that I got back my precious weaving frame once again and I will start my weaving activities as the season of BIHU is approaching.  I will also teach my daughter-in-law how to weave traditional Gamache and chadar”.

She reiterated that the traditional Gamocha is in high demand during Bihu festival and she will sell it these items in the market and purchase more yarn out of the profit.

This support is not only strengthening their livelihood but also to promoting yearlong practices of weaving in Assamese community.

Caritas India with the support from United Way Bengaluru had provided 200 weaving frames and yarn to 200 weavers. The support was sponsored by Wells Fargo.