Koraput: A young girl in Odisha’s backward district of Koraput has emerged as a source of inspiration among women for her efforts towards ensuring a clean environment and source of livelihood by converting waste materials into home décor items.
Mama Sahu of Jeypore in the district has developed a skill in making colourful items from the waste materials. She collects used materials like plastic bottles, blankets, mosquito nets, broken toys and torn clothes from the people of her locality.
After sanitising those materials, she prepares flower vases, wall hangings, curtains, table mats, photo frames, doormats, covers for different gadgets and other things. She cuts, sews, pastes and if necessary, paints to prepare the products herself.
Mama said she started doing these products 10 years back. Initially, she gave those things as presents to her friends and relatives. They not only appreciated those materials for their beautiful looks but also encouraged her to sell her products.
[Watch] Best Of Waste: Odisha Girl’s Creative Ways Turn Garbage Into Home Decors – YouTube
While Mama was making efforts to market her products, the COVID pandemic broke out and her work was interrupted. However, she did not lose heart and took to Youtube to showcase her talent during the lockdown period.
Her digital foray brought her a lot of customers and now she is not only getting a good demand for her products but also training the women on the craft so that they can apply their skills and earn a livelihood.
“What started as a hobby has turned into a passion for me. By producing useful household products from waste materials, one can not only find a source of income but also contribute towards keeping the environment clean,” said Mama.
