My job was to teach groups of women embroidery skills, upgrade existing skills, supply designs appropriate for the European market with a view to generating an income to the most vulnerable groups of women.I have always been very interested in textiles and had spent some time in India researching craft work.

The main office of the project was in Dhaka but I was working with 8 groups of 20 women spread around the poorest sectors of the country. Groups came from Kurigram Naogon, Bramanbaria, Gopalganj and Nabaganj and many of the women had no experience of embroidery.

Initially I was teaching the women how to hold a pair of scissors and thread a needle. Over the months the groups started started to make lovely embroidery samples although maintaining a high standard was always a problem.

Unfortunately the project came to a close after 10 months and I decided to continue to work independently with 2 of the groups from Bogra and Comilla. I frequently return to Bangladesh and am currently trying to market their kantha embroidery and give these women a source of income.