Sein Nady works with weavers from 4 villages around Mrauk U in Rakhine. The weavers are all women who learn weaving patterns and techniques passed down from their elders. Most women do the weaving on the side of their many other jobs and responsibilities, and in many cases the cash income is used to finance children’s education. ... more
Founded in 2008, Action for Public first began as an externally funded NGO helping 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 sewing business employing eight talented... 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... 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. Amazing Grace has grown into a team of 15 trainers working with women experiencing a range of disabilities throughout Myanmar. The group provides... 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... more
Ko Thar Gyi is the founder of Natural Dye Weaving Network started in 2012. He was a farmer for 10 years before working on his weaving business. He started the business with 3 people with the mission of supporting the local community and preserve the traditional back strap weaving technique. Now, there are nearly 60 people involved in this... more
For centuries, the rich red clay of the shores of the Irrawaddy River has provided the potters in Myanmar with a good basis to produce their wares, including the ubiquitous water pots and the little candle pots used at the pagodas and temples all over the country.
Myanmar Clay Works is a project that... 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 local foundation that helps people with physical and mental disabilities to achieve sustainable livelihoods. The organization works closely with its members to help them produce handmade products that truly reflect the uniqueness of Myanmar culture through the design and... more
Since 2013, farmers from villages in Southern Shan have been trained in beekeeping to improve their livelihoods by INGO Tag International Development. Bees had never originally figured in Thar Ngee’s scheme of things. His family only had two acres of land so he would travel seasonally to find casual farm work. Thar Ngee and fellow trainees... 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... more
Established in 2009 by Médicins du Monde (MdM), Golden Queens (GQ) 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, GQ objectives include: improving community capacity in order to reduce the... more
Shin Thant Plastics, 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,... 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
The Sunflower Association was started as a family art gallery led by Artist Maung Maung Thein. His daughter Phyu Ei Thein has extended the association into a social enterprise to bring showcase another kind of artist: weavers.
Phyu Ei Thein has reintroduced natural dyeing methods as well as a variety of traditional and new weaving... more
TUBE Myanmar creates items from bicycle inner tube sewn by Myanmar hill tribe women. Their trademark: 100% fair trade, quality and a colorful new zip! The TUBE range at Hla Day is small and includes travel pouches and toiletry bags of various sizes. TUBE also has a shop in the Bogyoke Market.
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... more
A small group of HIV positive men and women sew these quirky vinyl purses, clutches and shopping bags. They have limited edition series that are constantly changing, all reflecting some aspect of Myanmar. Sometimes they use vintage medicine labels, Myanmar posters, images, most recently they have been using some of the... 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
Making these hand-rolled paper beads helps students from Shan State win scholarships to go to university and thereby play a part in building democracy.
The brightest and best of these young men and women from Northeastern Myanmar are selected by their communities to attend the Kaw Dai School, they... 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 now employs 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 figures... more
Hamlets in Pan Pet Village are home to the Kayah women famous for wearing brass neck and leg rings. Due to conflict in the area and lack of opportunity many of them left their homes in... 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... more
Sister Lucy runs a small sewing studio from the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition Convent, where she trains young women in needlework. The young women come from diverse religious backgrounds, and most have not finished their formal education. Sister Lucy provides opportunities for these women to learn... more
Building on the traditional skills he learned from his family, U Myint Soe makes charming furniture from his carpentry workshop in Dala. Using simple tools and recycled teak wood, he produces beautifully functional stools and leaf-shaped chopping boards for Hla Day, among 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.
... more
ChuChu is a community-based artisan workshop that creates handmade, earth-friendly products by re-designing waste material into crafts. Products such as soft plastics, rubber tires, and wrappers, are upcycled into colorful new products aimed to inspire people to recycle and reuse.
ChuChu runs from a community-based workshop in Dala,... more
Julia is the founder of Ja.Mun.Mai, a female sewing cooperative based in Yangon. Working closely with six women, Julia produces modern everyday garments inspired by Myanmar’s rich traditions.
Ja.Mun.Mai works closely with the Yangon Women’s Development Center, where women in vulnerable conditions... 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... 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... 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.
