Miao embroidery brings mothers home to their children

By:Xinhua
update:March 28,2018

Qualified embroiders receive a base salary of 1,200 yuan a month plus performance pay based on the products they make. Mothers can bring their children to the workshop while they work. Lunch is also provided for free.

Long immediately decided to resign from her job in city and return home.

"Though I earn less than I did in city, I have more time with my children, which is more important," she said.

Miao embroidery has a history dating back more than 2,000 years. Miao women have long been famous for their craftsmanship. However, as more women migrated to work in cities, the traditional skill has been declining.

Ma Zhengbing set up the "Bring Mothers Home" program. In 2012, he encouraged a local embroiderer to attend a competition. The embroiderer's work won a prize and was auctioned for 18,000 yuan after the event.

"Poverty alleviation and cultural heritage protection are not contradictory. A combination of the two can increase both incomes and social benefits," he said.

Over 20 training bases and one product development center have been set up in the prefecture, creating nearly 3,000 jobs. Cooperatives that adopt scale and standardized production are thriving in almost every town.

In Tongdao County, over 4,000 female embroiderers have helped lift their families out of poverty. In Jishou, one-fifth of the returning migrant workers and former stay-at-home mothers are now working in the embroidery industry.

"This year we will continue to offer funding and supportive policies to bring more mothers home to their children," said Yu Xinrong, head of the provincial culture department.

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