Celebrating an exciting milestone, WEAVE will feature a dramatic presentation of its Income Generation Project, an ethnic fashion show and unveiling of exciting new products.

The WEAVE Fair Trade Showroom houses beautifully handcrafted items by refugee women artisans from marginalized ethnic groups on the Thai-Burma border.

The Fair Trade Showroom is part of WEAVE’s Economic Empowerment and Development Program, an innovative program that support marginalized and displaced women on the Thai- Burma border. It provides safe and sustainable employment opportunities for Burmese ethnic women under fair trade principles.

This event celebrates the milestone of WEAVE 15 years of successful economic empowerment activities for refugee women artisans. Over 1,200 artisans have learned valuable skills in weaving, sewing or embroidery. Over 700 women have become regular home-based entrepreneurs, earning much-needed income from customers around the world. WEAVE uses its local and international marketing channels to service customers, including Fair Trade networks, NGOs, educators and international student and community groups, from as far away as Canada and the US.

Since 1990, millions of people from ethnic groups in Burma have fled their country because of political instability and human rights abuses carried out by the Burmese military. They struggle to survive with aid allowances, and economic and employment opportunities are extremely scarce, especially for women. Finding additional work outside the camps puts these women and their families at risk, making them vulnerable to arrest or exploitation. The income received is critical for health and education expenses for their families.

The month of March is indeed a very busy time at WEAVE. Every March 8 on the occassion of International Women’s Day, we commemorate and celebrate women’s achievements and milestones as well as reaffirm our commitment to continue in the promotion,protection and preservation of girls and women’s rights. Moreover, the month of March is usually set to celebrate educational achievements through various graduation events around the world, including the refugees on the Thai-Burma/Myanmar border.

WEAVE, in partnership with local refugee organizations strives to advance young girls and women’s status by providing them access to safe learning and educational spaces. During the 2011-2012 school year, WEAVE worked alongside the Women Study Program (WSP) in Karenni Site 1 to build the capacity of 25 Karenni young girls and women to learn a 10 months course on Women Issues and Development, Peace Education and Conflict Transformation and Community Development. These WSP students then extend community education and economic self-sufficiency projects to over 1,500 women in the refugee camp. Thus, WEAVE also collaborates with the Karenni Further Studies Program (KnFSP), a youth led education program in Karenni Site2 that educates over 50 refugee students for 2 years. This year, on the occassion of KnFSP’s 4th graduation, we are proud to have 18 graduates, of which 50% are young girls.

Mu Reh, in blue Kayan blouse

“We have many courageous and inspirational women in WSP, including Mu Reh”. According to Naw Dina, WSP Officer: “Mu Reh, Kayah by ethnicity, never gave up her dream of completing her studies one day. She persisted and continued to persevere despite her many responsibilities as a mother, wife, daughter – making a living to support her family’s needs in the refugee camp. Last year, she approached me and said that she wanted to join the 10 months WSP course. She is one of the most active students and I am impressed with her determination to learn and to work for her community”. Mu Reh is 40 years old and did not manage to continue her high school because she got married. Taking care of her children and family placed a lot of strain on her. They were in constantly hiding and running while in Kayah State due to the human rights abuses perpetrated by the Burmese military. They settled in Karenni refugee camp1 few years back but they have to struggle had to make a living and add to the food given to them in the refugee camp. After graduation, Mu Reh will join WSP’s Women’s Livelihood Project where she will become one of the Community Development staff.

Education opportunities are very scarce in the refugee camps, especially in availing higher education. The WSP and KnFSP serves as a safe learning and educational spaces for these refugee children. Despite the limitations in the refugee camps, both programs provide spaces for the students to be exposed and prepared to various possiblities once they graduate, such as pursuing an e-distance education or serve their respective communities as teachers, medics, community workers, to mention a few.

WEAVE supports WSP and KnFSP in the development of their educational systems and processes project/organizational development. These efforts were equally complemented by the financial assistance of our supportive donors: Empower, the Emerging Markets, Refugee International Japan, Global Fund for Children and Oxfam Novib.

WSP Officer translating for the representative of the Royal Thai government

KnFSP graduation colors and symbolism

KnFSP graduation song

On March 8, 20112, WEAVE Foundation celebrated women around the world for International Women’s Day. Together with our refugee community partners, simultaneous peace marches were held towards the bridges of Karenni Site 1, Karenni Site 2 in Mae Hong Son Province and in Umpiem Mai, Tak Province Thailand. Over 500 refugee women, young girls, children and men were part of this historic event. Standing at their respective bridges, they joined in solidarity with the rest women of the world in the “Join Us in the Bridge”, the world’s largest women’s rights solidarity campaign to build peace and hope for our future. As well as called for an end to violence against women in areas of conflict, for women to have equal right in decision making processes and for women to have equal access to livelihoods opportunities and fair and just employment/income.

WEAVE honors Thramu Yumalay (left) and Saramoo Kumo (center).

We also honored two inspirational and highly committed Karenni refugee women leaders – Thramu Yumalay, our Nursery School Coordinator in Karenni Site2 for her 19 years of service and dedication to early learning and development of refugee children as well as to Saramoo Kumo, the Local Coordinator of the Women Study Program (WSP) in Karenni Site2 for her activism in advancing women’s rights, she was with WSP since 2005. Art competition and essay writing contests focusing on the “roles of women as bridge to peace and hope” were also held.

As part of this month’s activities, WEAVE Foundation’s collection of pictures showcasing nursery school-age children’s artworks and women refugees are displayed and available for viewing at the Karenni National Women’s Organization’s (KNWO) office in Karenni Site2, Ban Mae Surin, Thailand. The artwork display is part of the Foundation’s fundraising initiatives to support the nursery school program on the Thai-Burma border.

On the International Women’s Day, women around the world envisioned a peaceful world and better future and so are we. We believe that together we can. We invite you to join WEAVE Foundation in advancing the status and the development of refugee and displaced women and children!

(The video in this article was prepared by A Safe World for Women.)

[Show as slideshow]

In solidarity with the rest of the women in the world, WEAVE in cooperation with the Karenni National Women’s Organization (KNWO) in Karenni Site 1 and Site2, Early Childhood Development Program (ECDP), Women Study Program (WSP), Karenni Further Studies Program (KnFSP) and Karen women refugee artisans in Umpiem Mai celebrates International Women’s Day during the month of March to mark the economic, political, and social achievements of women. Together with the refugee children, young girls, women and men on the Thai-Burma border, we join the “Bridge”, the world’s largest women’s rights solidarity campaign to build peace and hope for our future . Join us as we stand and call for an end to violence against women in areas of conflict, for women to have equal right in decision making processes and for women to have equal access to livelihoods opportunities and fair and just employment/income.

On this special event, we honor 2 inspirational women leaders who have tirelessly worked alongside WEAVE in advancing the status and development of displaced and refugee women and children in Karenni refugee camps. They are:

Thramu Yumalay for her inspirational commitment and dedication to the development of Karenni refugee nursery school age children and refugee women teachers. She was one the prime movers of the realization of a WEAVE supported Nursery School Program in the former Karenni Camp5 (now Karenni Site2) in 1997 and the strength of the program up to now. Her 15 years of service to further the Early Childhood Development (Nursery School) Program in Karenni Site 2 is truly remarkable.

Thramu Kumo for her determination and activism to advance the status of displaced and vulnerable young Burmese ethnic girls and women by educating them through the Women Study Program. Since 2006, Thramu Kumo has been working with WEAVE in Karenni Site1 in guiding and laying strong foundation towards the empowerment of Karenni young women. To date, over 200 young girls and women have successfully completed the Women Study Program and over 2,000 refugees supported through its Community Outreach work.

“To stand in solidarity with women who have risked everything to raise their children properly despite the difficulties brought about by war and more than 20 years of displacement in Thailand and to promote peace and equality is my great honor. My life has been shaped and inspired by the courage and strong determination of these women and I want to let them know that Iam with them in their struggle.” – Mitos Urgel

Stand with women on March 8, 2012 to build bridges of peace and hope for our future. Join WEAVE and the refugee women during our simultaneous peace marches to the bridges in Karenni Site1, Karenni Site2 and Umpiem Mai camp. Other features includes: unveiling of women’s gallery of (WSP compound, Karenni Site1 and Karenni Site2) and art competition to mention a few.

LINK: http://joinmeonthebridge.org/

Yesterday, February 23, 2012 at around noon time a fire broke out in Umpiem Mai refugee camp leaving over 4000 people homeless. Umpiem Mai camp is 80 km south of Mae Sod under Umphang District, Tak Province. Umpiem Mai is one of the 9 refugee camps on the Thai-Burma border which houses over 17,500 refugees . During this time everything is very dry and houses made of bamboo and thatch leaves are built very close to each other allowing the fire to spread quickly. Initial reports accounted over 1000 houses being affected (566 houses burnt down to the ground and 515 houses dismantled to stop fire from spreading) and two children missing. As the fire mainly affected the muslim area, there is a high need for halal food support.

A coordinated response among CCSDPT (Coordination Committee for the Services of Displaced Persons in Thailand) agencies working in Umpiem Mai immediately started yesterday afternoon and a Situation Report was issued describing some of the immediate actions taken. A wider coordination meeting was held this morning in the camp which included NGOs, UNHCR, Camp Commander and Camp Leaders at which more consistent information was shared and Sector Leads were identified.

We will be working together with our partners, the CCSDPT and KWO (Karen Women’s Organization) to extend help to women and children affected, focusing on women and children’s needs, including providing baby kits, hygiene supplies for women and girls, sarong, to mention a few.

Any forms of support would be highly appreciated. Please let us know at weave@weave-women.org or email directly to mitos@weave-women.org you wish to send any donation.