Ashrai has been providing different types of supports to the poor and adibashi women of the Barind area by forming business clusters to work embroidery by hand on garments so they increase sales of the products and have sustainable regular family income. Ashrai provided trainings and technical supports to improve quality of designs, fashion, diversification of the products and spreading the market through several projects with the funds from donors and PKSF. One hundred women entrepreneurs of one hundred business clusters have been trained up in 25 unions of Mohonpur upazila of Rajshahi district, Chapai Nawabganj Sadar and Nachol upazilas of Chapai Nawabganj district. The business cluster has been formed with 30 members in each. They have been trained up on embroidery on sari, three-piece, short Panjabi, Panjabi, Nakshikantha, cushion covers and bed sheets. Thus, through suitable training, about 3,000 women got opportunity for self employment. Ashrai has initiated to set up an Ashrai Crafts Centre and ensure the production and marketing of quality fashionable products by skilled women for national and international markets.
