In the green hills of northern Bangladesh, Sujala Dio struggles to find food and medicine. She is a Garo woman, an ethnic minority, and she has been forgotten by her country. Her family lost their land while fleeing Bangladesh during ethnic strife. Now, Sujala lives in a small clay home with her two children where they live hand to mouth.

Sujala’s husband is a day laborer who leaves for long periods of time in search of work. Without steady and sufficient income, Sujala must ration tiny scraps of food to insure there will be meals the next day. Illness is a great fear for Sujala. There is no doctor or hospital in her village. If someone becomes sick, they have very few options.

Sujala’s story is not uncommon in the northern hills of Bangladesh. Throughout this region, native tribes like the Garo and the Khasi struggle to maintain their way of life. Fifty years ago, a great influx of Bengalis changed the social and political structure in Bangladesh completely. All of the native tribes soon became minorities in their own land, forgotten and overlooked.

Today, native tribes have no rights in the constitution. Frequently their land is taken from them without their consultation or consent. For example, in 2001, the government decided to build eco-parks on the Khasi and Garo ancestral lands. This decision left many Khasi and Garo people homeless.

Oblate missionaries in Bangladesh have been striving to end this oppression. Working peacefully, with aid from the U.S. Oblate Office for Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation, missionaries have made petitions to the government and international offices like the United Nations. Through these endeavors, we have saved much of the land inhabited by these indigenous groups. But there is still much more to do.

Oblate Fair Trade (OFT) is a new initiative from the Missionary Association and Oblate missionaries, which continues the fight against poverty and social injustice in Bangladesh.

A global program, OFT works with poor artisans, farmers, and craftspeople. We provide them with good working conditions, fair wages and community support, in the hope that they can provide for their families and strengthen their communities.

In many cases, these marginalized groups live in poverty due to unemployment or exploitation by unfair businesses. In partnership with Oblate priests and brothers, Oblate Fair Trade conducts business with Christian values at its core.

For women like Sujala, Oblate Fair Trade means steady work and food for their families. OFT currently partners with Sujala and a team of Garo weavers. The Garos have carried their traditional form of weaving for generations, and they are currently sewing handbags for OFT.

Each Bangladeshi handbag reflects the needs of people like Sujala and her children. Each bag represents hope, food, water, medicine, and education.

With the help of Oblate priests and brothers, Oblate Fair Trade, and charitable consumers, the Garo people can survive their hardships and continue the struggle for recognition in their own land.

Although the situation is bleak, Sujala now dreams of a better future for her children. She hopes her children will continue to go to school, find good work, and pull their family out of poverty.

For information on Oblate Fair Trade products, please see the enclosed insert or call 1-888-330-6264..