Weftshop supports various organisations and refugee women working on the Thai-Burma Border and inside Burma:

Karen Women's Organisation (KWO)

KWO was formed in 1949 and is a community-based organisation of Karen women working in development and relief in the refugee camps on the Thai border and with IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) and women inside Burma.

KWO aims to assist women to be free from all forms of oppression and to promote and empower women in all spheres of life including education and general living standards. It works to develop women's knowledge, ability and skills to achieve the rights of women and to promote and maintain Karen culture and traditions.

KWO offers capacity building trainings to teach skills, build confidence and create new opportunities so that women will be better able to solve problems. The organisation believes that women’s contribution is essential in the peace-building and national reconciliation processes of Burma and works hard to educate members and their communities so that they can work more effectively and advocate for their struggle on the international stage.

Women's Education for Advancement and Empowerment (WEAVE)

Women’s Education for Advancement and Empowerment (WEAVE) was founded in 1990 to strive to create a world where empowered women and their children are free to exercise their rights and live peacefully in a just, humane and equitable society.

WEAVE’s target communities are displaced persons, particularly women along the Thai-Burma border, in recognition of women’s role in providing for their families and in ensuring the well-being of their children. WEAVE’s projects attempt to address some of the problems faced by marginalised ethnic women and their children from Burma in the key areas of education, health, economic empowerment and self reliance.

In partnership with other organisations, WEAVE teaches women to become socially, economically and politically empowered and self-reliant, enabling them to participate fully in their communities and political life.

Kachin Women's Association - Thailand (KWAT)

Kachin Women's Association Thailand (KWAT) is a community based organisation providing leadership training for women living in Kachin state, Burma, and educational programs to increase awareness of gender, health, women's rights, and environmental protection.

The number of Kachin people coming to Thailand has been increasing each year due to the deteriorating political, economic and social situation in Kachin State. Young Kachin women and girls are particularly vulnerable to trafficking from Kachin state into China. Recognising the urgent need for women to organise themselves to solve their own problems, KWAT was formed in 1999.

KWAT aims to develop the skills of women, promote children's rights, empower women to be more involved in leadership positions and promote women's awareness of gender and women's rights.

Mon Women's Organisation (MWO)

MWO works for the empowerment of women, particularly through providing information and skills needed by women around Mon villages inside Burma and on the Thai-Burma border.

The organisation’s main activities are literacy training, women's peace-building and community development training, and weaving and handicraft skills training.

Meet some of Weftshop's producers

My name is Ma Nan

I am Karen but was bought up in Rangoon. I left Burma because it was unsafe for me there - my husband is an artist and was often interrogated by the military. Our house was always searched. There were no jobs. My mother taught me how to sew. She cares for my children inside Burma. I came to Mae sot on the Thai-Burma border to try to earn money to support my family inside Burma. I worry all the time here as I am afraid of being picked up by the police.

I help other refugee and migrant women by teaching them sewing for free so they can also get work. My dream for the future is to be a good designer and to continue training other migrant women.

My name is Noe Thee

There are over 63 sub groups in my culture (Chin). The bird we embroider means loyalty and it is a symbol for all the groups.

I was taught to sew and weave by my sister. The money I make from selling my textiles supports three families inside Burma. I try to help my community as much as I can by showing them new ways to do things, providing other Chin women with work and encouraging them to be proud of their culture.

My dream for the future is that Chin textiles will be sold all over the world and that I can teach many Chin women to sew and weave so they can take care of their families. I would also love to start an orphanage for children in Burma.

The best thing about living in Mae Sot is having electricity; the worst thing is the police.

My name is Yah Mi

My mother taught me how to sew. I use to live in Burma but I left because of the civil conflict and forced labour to become an illegal migrant on the Thai-Burma border. It is unsafe for me to return home and it is unsafe for me to live in Thailand.

The bags and children’s clothes I make on my treadle machine help support 15 people who are part of the United Lahu Youth Organisation. Our organisation provides education in health, hygiene, family planning, malaria prevention, drug prevention and counseling for young Lahu people through running workshops inside Burma. We can only do these every few months as it is dangerous for us to teach in Burma.