We recently had the opportunity to visit the Pann Nann Ein workshop in Dala, where we met an inspiring group of artisans happy to take a moment from their hard work and concentration to greet us.
Pann Nann Ein, translated as ‘Creative Royal Home’, is a local foundation that helps people with physical and mental disabilities to achieve a dignified and sustainable long-term livelihood.
The organization works closely with its artisans to help them produce handmade products that truly reflect the uniqueness of Myanmar culture through their design and materials.
Producing more than forty different products with a minimal-waste policy, PNE tries to use all the materials leftover from the production of a single item to make the next one: “before finishing a product, we always have to think about the next one” explains Hnin Phyu Kaung, co-founder of Pann Nann Ein.
Due to the difficulties of transportation and mobility for people living with disabilities in Yangon, the 23 artisans meet only a couple of times a week, and they then take their assignment home to work at their own pace.
The staff at PNE, which includes a welfare officer, ensures the needs of members and their families are taken into account: that they are supported, trained and continue to thrive. Twice a week, the artisans and staff receive sign language lessons, an activity that promotes communication and builds a bond within the team, a core ingredient behind the success of PNE.
The foundation also regularly invites guests for different types of activities, such as financial management training, motivational talks from guests with some type of disability, social skills workshops, as well as a volunteer doctor who provides regular checkups.
For the last 6 years, Pann Nann Ein has grown steadily and aspires to spread to other parts of Myanmar in the future, reaching more people with disabilities and building capacity to help them succeed in earning a sustainable and dignified livelihood.
Learn more about Pann Nann Ein here, and find their beautiful products at Hla Day!
