Mae Hong Son, Thailand – The WEAVE (Women’s Education for Advancement and Empowerment) Fair Trade Co. Ltd has successfully launched and unveiled its Fair Trade Shop and company logo last Tuesday November 11, 2014 in Mae Hong Son, Thailand.
The event was graced by Palat Narong Chai Jindapan, Chief of the Security Affairs MHS Province and representative of Mae Hong Son Governor. Also at the event are representatives from Thai authorities, local tourism businesses, NGO’s, UNHCR, Payap University and representatives from the communities where WEAVE works in Mae Hong Son Province.
Celebrating the new and exciting milestone, WEAVE featured dramatic presentations of its Fair Trade shop launching, including cutting of ribbon, unveiling of its company logo, an ethnic mini-fashion show and performance as well as exciting new product range of ethnic inspired designs.
The WEAVE Fair Trade Shop houses beautiful collection of lovingly handcrafted items by refugee and disadvantaged women artisans from marginalized ethnic groups and hill-tribes in Northern Thailand.
The Fair Trade Shop is part of WEAVE’s Economic Empowerment and Development Program, an innovative development intervention that addresses economic disempowerment of marginalized and displaced women through Fair Trade. It provides safe, fair and regular employment and income opportunities under Fair Trade principles.
This event celebrates the milestone of WEAVE 20 years of successful economic empowerment activities for refugee women artisans. Through-out these years, over 10,000 artisans have learned valuable skills in weaving, sewing or embroidery as well as become regular home-based entrepreneurs, increased income power and household food security. WEAVE uses its local and international marketing channels to service customers, including Fair Trade networks, NGOs, educators and international students and community groups, from as far away as North America and Canada, Scandinavia and the Pacific’s.
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.
Address: WEAVE Fair Trade Shop, 9/6 Soi 5, Khulumpraphat Rd. Chongkham, A.Muang Mae Hong Son, Mae Hong Son 58000, Thailand