Muscat: An Omani woman's single-handed zeal to give something back to the community has created the country's most successful cottage industry.
The Sidab Women's Sewing Group offers over 35 Omani women from Sidab, a fishing hamlet near Muscat, a substantial monthly income.
Not only that, these women also play an active role in protecting the environment by creating calico carry-bags as a substitute for plastic carry-bags and also promote the traditional 'wizar' art of Oman.
Badriya Al Siyabi is a daughter of one of Oman's oldest teachers, who inculcated the culture of education not only among her children but other children in her community. The daughter took a leaf from her mother and decided to give back something worthwhile to the community.
Badriya, who was educated in the United States, picked up the idea of starting the group from community centres run in the United States.
"When I saw a lot of good work done at these community centres in the United States, I thought of starting something similar in Oman," she told Gulf News.
She started the group with six women, including British expatriate Sur Ross.
"I set up the group here because I come from Sidab and I wanted to give something back to my community," said Badriya, who works as a bank officer. "We started with six women and now in four years we have over 35 women who are active with the group."
Tourism industry
Muna Mallalah Al Zedjali, who supervises the day-to-day running of the centre, said women are also allowed to take home work. "Some women prefer to work from home and we let them do that," she said, adding that the amount paid to those who work from home and the ones at the centre was the same.
With the tourism boom in Oman, hand-made traditional crafts are very popular and bags, cushion covers, tissue box covers and other items made by the group are in great demand at hotels and art galleries. "One of our group members has opened her own outlet at the Shangri La's Barr Al Jizza Resort and Spa and she is doing good business," Muna said while narrating the marketing success of the products made at the centre.
"These items are made of calico and decorated with coloured 'wizar' material and silver and gold embroidery," said Muna.
Badriya added that the embroidery work of date palm trees, Omani coffee jug, and camels is in demand.
The group not only helps women make articles and market these but even helps women in the area learn how to sew and embroider.
"We develop sewing skills of women and also teach them," Muna said.
Showing some of the creations of the members, Muna said: "The colourful creations of women reflect Omani culture and they are in great demand at hotels, art galleries and events organised by various women's groups in Muscat."
"It is about empowering women through education and training to develop their skills," said Badriya.
The success story of the group is spreading fast with the Ministry of Social Development also giving the group a nod and Shell Development Oman backing them with logistics as well as training support. Shell has provided the group with sewing machines and computers.
Corporate help
"Shell has provided training courses in IT and customer service skills, advanced sewing training and ways to develop a successful handicrafts business," said Muna.
"We owe it to Shell, which has provided funds to refurbish our premises. The company has also arranged training for the women so that they can improve their English to enable them to interact with the tourists who visit our premises," said Badriya, whose evenings are spent at the group's premises.
The premises open early in the morning. "Women come and go as it suits them and their housework; there's no restriction on them," said Muna.
"The growth helps housewives in Sidab [supplement] their household income and at the same time tourists coming to Oman can buy hand-made arts and craft of the country," said Badriya, who is happy that her contribution is reaping rich rewards.
