Founded in 2008, Action for Public first began as a community based organization enpowering vulnerable populations in cyclone-affected areas of Myanmar as well as people living with HIV.
The group has come a long way since then and has now transformed into a local social business employing eight talented women, with the mission to... more
Ai Hom Tai, meaning Aroma of Shan, was established in 2005 by the Shan Baptist community in Yangon in order to provide housing for students coming from Shan state looking to continue their high school and postgraduate level studies. At Ai Hom Tai, students – whose opportunities for continued studies are not always available at their communities... more
Amazing Grace is a growing social enterprise founded in 2012 by Naw Eh Wah. She is passionate about bringing new opportunities to women living with disabilities through jewelry and craft production. By working closely with women from the disabled community, she provides job opportunities, training, and flexible employment across Myanmar—... more
Lily Handicraft, a group of talented and spiritual women, works with young women and caregivers from orphanages to provide sewing and life-skills courses. Some of them are then able to take this further and use these new skills to support their livelihood. Lily reinvests any income generated to support transportation costs, salary for the... more
Ko Thar Gyi is the founder of the Natural Dye Weaving Network, which he started in 2012. Before that, he was a farmer for 10 years. He began the business with three people, with the mission of supporting the local community and preserving the traditional back-strap weaving technique. At its peak, the network included nearly 60 people, including... more
When she was young, Ma Hnin Nu Htwe dreamed of being a fashion designer – a dream that still remains with her. But she knows today that it should be a show where models with disabilities lead the runway!
Ma Hnin Nu Htwe is the mother of three children and her oldest daughter was born with multiple disabilities. This is not easy anywhere... more
Lacquerware is arguably one of the most famous traditional crafts in Myanmar as its production requires a hot and humid climate. There are many steps involved in creating high-quality lacquer involving a large amount of time, patience and planning to ensure the sourcing and creation process is done to the highest standard. Each piece takes 9... more
Pann Nann Ein, meaning ‘Creative Royal Home,’ is a social enterprise. Their aim is to provide safe, dignified work for people with disabilities through production and sales of high-quality handmade items.
They have been working to establish sustainable livelihoods for people with disabilities for over 10 years now and, despite recent... more
The Sein Nagar Glass Factory, meaning Diamond Dragon, is a family business that has been in operation for over 15 years. Initially working with plastics, the founder began experimenting with glass and saw great potential in using discarded glass bottles bought from garbage collectors in Yangon. Those bottles get melted, blown into a mould and... more
Established in 2009 by Médicins du Monde (MdM), Golden Queens (GDQ) is a group of gay men and transgender individuals whose mission is to reduce the stigma and discrimination that gay men and transgender people are still largely confronted with. To achieve this goal, GDQ objectives include: improving community capacity in order to reduce the... more
Shin Thant Upcycled, a small family business, is passionate about reducing, recycling and upcycling plastic waste. As a first step, the carefully washed plastics get fused into new and workable materials. Afterward, these quirky patterned plastics get a second life as new and fashionable shopping bags, clutches, purses, lampshades and many... more
Established in 2002, Sone-Tu helps to preserve this unique traditional weaving culture, the visual language of the region. Before Sone-Tu began their work, backstrap weaving designs were in danger of being forgotten, as there was no written record. Sone-Tu brought master weavers out of retirement to assist with training a new generation in... more
Ma Khin Aye is a skilled master sewer with years of experience who started her own sewing business ‘Hnin Zie’ a couple of years ago.
As her business has grown fast, she is now able to provide flexible employment to women living with HIV. Most of the women sew from home meaning they can look after their children and juggle other household... more
The Sunflower Association was originally founded as a family art gallery by Artist Maung Maung Thein. His daughter, Phyu Ei Thein, later expanded it into a social enterprise to showcase another kind of artist: the weaver.
She reintroduced natural dyeing methods and revived both traditional and innovative weaving patterns and techniques.... more
Turquoise Mountain has partnered with Suu Foundation to promote and preserve Myanmar traditional crafts by supporting the artisans in building up their skills and connecting them to a wider domestic and international market.
A thriving craft industry, with its communities spread across rural Myanmar, would provide good livelihoods to... more
Home Sweet Home is a small group of HIV-positive men, women, and children. The key populations in the group include sex workers, MSM (men who have sex with men), drug users, and people living with HIV. Sewing pouches from recycled vinyl and making paper bags are carried out by only five members, generating income for the group. The profits are... more
Single mother Khin Thida Khine (KK), has always had a love for making crafts and jewelry. To support her family, KK designs beautiful silver jewelry working together with local silversmiths.
KK finds great joy and pride in designing her pieces, drawing inspiration from local as well as foreign objects. The silver used in these timeless... more
Ko Nyi Nyi Aung first started making paper mache toys in 2009 as ingenious presents for his son La Min. Since then, his pastime has evolved into a growing business that used to employ ten people at two locations in Yangon.
Paper mache crafts have a long history in Myanmar, where they are traditionally sold at pagoda entrances. The... more
Hamlets of Pan Pet Village are home to Kayah women, long known for wearing brass neck and leg rings. Due to conflict and limited opportunities, many left for Thailand, where they became tourist attractions.
As peace slowly returns, some women are moving back to their villages. With support from NGO ITC, community-based tourism projects... more
A Myanmar social business under the umbrella of Business Kind Organization, Kind Stitch designs and creates garments made from Myanmar natural textiles. Their master sewers are women living with physical challenges. Profits generated by Kind Stitch are used to grow the business, increase employee benefits and support the Thone Pan Hla Network... more
Sister Lucy, a kind-hearted and dedicated woman, has been working with Hla Day since its inception. Her group specializes in fabric-based products, including Hla Day’s popular Rakhine longyi fabric Gatsby Cap. They also craft plush toys, with Sister Lucy known for her remarkable patience and skill in creating small, detailed items.
Based... more
MA-IN is a group of four women from Pyin Oo Lwin in the Shan Highlands, supported by the Salesian Sisters. The sisters run a two-year training program where young women learn sewing and life skills. In their second year, students specialize in sewing, embroidery, or knitting, and each year they organize a fashion show that receives much... more
Building on the traditional skills he learned from his family, Ko Myint Soe creates charming furniture in his carpentry workshop in Dala. Using simple tools and reclaimed teak wood, he produces beautifully crafted stools and a variety of chopping boards for Hla Day, along with other products.
Three Mamas Project was established in 2015 by two sisters, Sophia and Angela, and their friend Jella with the objective of supporting education in the Kyaing Tong area of Estern Shan State.
The reusable Hapbee wrap sold at Hla Day is an environmentally friendly, waterproof, breathable cover made from cotton fabric infused with beeswax... more
ChuChu is a small business in Dala, Myanmar, that turns waste into handmade, eco-friendly products. By recycling and reusing colorful plastics, rubber tires, old umbrella sheets, and wrappers, ChuChu creates useful and creative items that encourage people to recycle and reduce waste.
ChuChu is also a training center, teaching local... more
Julia is the founder of Ja.Mun.Mai, a women’s sewing cooperative based in Yangon. Working closely with six women, she creates modern everyday garments inspired by Myanmar’s rich traditions, such as incorporating ethnic longyi fabrics into T-shirts and making boxers.
Ja.Mun.Mai collaborates with the Yangon Women’s Development Center,... more
Youn Sone, which means ‘colorful’ in Burmese, is a social enterprise created in Myanmar with the support of Fondacio, a French organization that gives leadership training to local youth.
Created by women for women, Youn Sone was founded by an inspiring young woman named Naw Julia with the ambition of supporting marginalized youth,... more
Cherry is a mother of three and originally from the famous mining city of Mogok. The city and its surroundings have been known since ancient times for the prevalence of gemstones and semi-precious stones.
However, the richness of the land is not shared by the majority of Mogok’s inhabitants, who lack opportunities and are therefore... more
In an effort to increase the literacy levels of children in Myanmar, the Benevolent Youth Association and the Myanmar Storytellers came together in 2004 to form the Third Story Project. Working together with local artists and writers, Third Story Project produces beautifully illustrated books in Burmese, with translations to English and... more
Bo Bo Sewing is a young and growing women’s sewing group in Yangon determined to create a sustainable income for themselves and their families. Bo Bo creates beautiful cushion covers, dresses, and handbags which are recognizable by her skillful appliqué and embroidery techniques.
Bo Bo experiments with new products and designs to improve... more
First established in 1998 as a joint venture with Myanmar's Ministry of Social Welfare. Art & Deco now operates as an independent social venture. The collective figurines are drawn and sculpted in Yangon by a talented local artist, inspired by the country's daily life and traditions. The pieces are created from a precise combination of tin... more
With passion and skill Daw Moe creates items of beauty for daily use... out of magazine paper! Her nimble fingers roll page after page into straws, and these are coiled into fine and durable objects. A mother of three, Daw Moe is the breadwinner in her family.
MKK Creation, founded by Myat Zarchi Khaing in Yangon, has an architectural background. She specializes in handmade jewelry crafted from clay and beads and also designs clothing with the help of two seamstresses. Since 2023, Myat has collaborated with Hla Day, launching the 'Ngu War' collection, which features clay flower and disc jewelry. Her... more
Eden focuses on South-East Asia, where over half of global human trafficking victims are found. In Myanmar, worsened by poverty, political unrest, and economic collapse due to the pandemic, Eden began crucial programs in 2014. Their approach in Yangon and Shan states targets at-risk individuals and trafficking victims, offering support and... more
Ma Win Win Nu, aged 33 and with an MBA, founded Dandelion, a local clothing brand in Yangon. Inspired by the dandelion flower's message of "Make A Wish," she launched the business during challenging times to create jobs for sewers in Hle Gu and fulfill her dream of owning a clothing brand. Ma Win Win Nu personally designs each piece, using high... more
Established in 2019, Pochi was inspired by the rich silk farming traditions of Chin State. Their mission is to empower rural producers and revitalize silk craft from farm to fabric. They start by training farmers in mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing, collaborating closely with families to reel silk into yarns. In partnership with... more
Daw Yi Yi Lay is a professional seamstress who had a shop at Bogyoke Market. She now produces her pieces at home alongside her partner, Daw Mya Kyin. Together, they specialize in creating exquisite patchwork rugs and materials for frame and cushion covers, highlighting the vibrant beauty of colorful ethnic fabrics.
Moet Moet Win, 43, from Yangon, has always been drawn to the art of crafting. Living with her mother and her younger brother’s family, she grew up surrounded by her four siblings, nurturing her creativity in a close-knit household. In 2017, she took a bold step to follow her passion by joining a two-year silver and goldsmithing apprenticeship... more
"Our goal is to help people alleviate mental and emotional stress," states the motto of Counselling Corner.
Founded during the pandemic, Counselling Corner is dedicated to enhancing mental health by connecting individuals with licensed professionals for psychotherapy. Insights from emotional well-being workshops highlight a widespread... more
Judith Sinnamon, an Australian landscape painter and graduate of QCA, has exhibited her work in Brisbane for over a decade, showcasing her ability to capture the intimacy of her subjects.
In 2015, Judith spent a year living in Yangon with her husband and children, drawing inspiration from the city's architecture and its women. During her... more
John Artisan was founded in 2020 by Suan Cin Khai, known as John. With a professional background in banking and finance, he has always carried a deep passion for design. What began with creating furniture and small homewares for his own home soon grew into a personal dream realized—a small but dedicated team of three, with John leading as the... more
Every Burma Watch is hand-assembled in Myanmar by skilled craftsmen, using only the finest materials and movement such as Japanese Miyota Movement for the machine and Italian leather for the strap. Each timepiece is a reflection of heritage and precision. Burma Watch proudly feature the ancient Burmese numeral system, honoring a culture rich in... more
