Kaisa is a wild grass used in Bangladeshi basket making. This very sturdy grass dries from its

natural light green color to a very pale, almost tan color.

Dhaka Handicrafts is a non-governmental, nonprofit organization headquartered in Geneva andhas been working to improve the lives of children and rural families in Bangladesh since 1974through a variety of social programs. Families with a percapita income of less than $85 a yearmake a variety of traditional wicker handicrafts from bamboo, cane, grass, and wood as well asclay pots. Approximately 14,000 members in 53 groups benefit from handicraft production,including a compulsory savings plan which earns interest. A small fund for emergency medicalservices for the group members has also been established. Dividends the organization receivesfrom its ATO buyers are used to provide sanitary toilets, tube-wells houses and saplings to group members.