Welcome!
Welcome to the first issue of WEAVE News! It’s been awhile since you heard from us, but WEAVE has been very busy with some exciting and new developments: the creation of our own e-newsletter and the new design of our website. More importantly, we celebrated our 18th birthday this year and WEAVE only continues to grow our services. Even as the scale of our work expands, however, the impact of WEAVE programs remains very personal: it is the daily struggles and hard-won successes of individual women and children that fuel our determination to empower displaced individuals and communities. In WEAVE News, we will update the progress of our programs but also feature these stories of individual impact with the hope that you, too, will share our passion for creating a more just and equitable world.
In Solidarity,
WEAVE
Welcome!
Welcome to the first issue of WEAVE News! It’s been awhile since you heard from us, but WEAVE has been very busy with some exciting and new developments: the creation of our own e-newsletter and the new design of our website. More importantly, we celebrated our 18th birthday this year and WEAVE only continues to grow our services. Even as the scale of our work expands, however, the impact of WEAVE programs remains very personal: it is the daily struggles and hard-won successes of individual women and children that fuel our determination to empower displaced individuals and communities. In WEAVE News, we will update the progress of our programs but also feature these stories of individual impact with the hope that you, too, will share our passion for creating a more just and equitable world.
In Solidarity,
WEAVE
PROGRAM UPDATES
Publications & Resource Development
- WEAVE’s Publication and Resource Development team is responsible for publishing books concerning Women’s Health, Education, and Early Childhood Development.
- In October 2008, the Publication and Resource Development team published The Mother & Child Poster (pictured above, in part) and the Mother and Child booklet. Both have been instrumental in exhibiting the development of children during the first five years of their lives. The poster is published in Burmese language and distributed throughout Burmese and ethic communities as well as community based organizations and international NGO’s. The poster serves as an educational tool which helps to raise critical awareness for marginalized families.
- Currently, the team is designing and finalizing the New Year Postcard & Calendar for 2009!
Early Childhood Development
- In October, the Early Childhood Development team conducted an intensive training course to 18 ECD teachers, practitioners and parent educators.
- In addition, a Teacher Training Course in Ban Don Yang Camp was conducted with 22 participants who attended.
- ECD monitored teachers and trainers from the nursery schools in order to evaluate how they utilize the children’s profile reports to assess their progress and development.
- Currently, ECD is working on conducting a Teacher’s Training for Grassroots Human Rights Education (GHRE), an organization who works with migrant communities.
Women’s Capacity Development
- WCD conducted visits with local Women’s Organizations and Thai-Karen Villages throughout Tak Province who are interested in WEAVE’s Alternative Livelihood program. The aim of these visits is to introduce WEAVE’s services and to help determine the organization’s need.
- WCD visited WEAVE’s 3 camp-based livelihood programs in order to assess the current environmental situation and to gather the figures of how many women are still involved in the project.
- Currently, WEAVE distributes funds to over 20 women’s organizations through our Small Projects Support Fund (SPSF). Monitoring was conducted in October to assess the impact of the grants. SPSF’s main objective is to promote and help the women’s projects to reach their full potential. The projects range from income generation to educational development needs.
Income Generation Project
- WEAVE’s IGP is now a member of Green America formally known as Co-Op America, a leading organization promoting environmental sustainability, social and economic justice through advocacy of responsible consumerism. WEAVE was listed as a “Green Business” for implementing socially responsible principals in our income generation project. WEAVE is included on their on-line list which is viewed by thousands of people worldwide who are concerned about fair trade and investing in a good cause.
- Currently, the IGP team is conducting an assessment of the feasibility to expand the project beyond the camps and into other displaced communities and Thai-Villages. The expansion is set to include marginalized communities, particularly women’s organizations and migrant groups who are in need of economic development programs.
BRING JOY to a refugee child through WEAVE’s Doll Program!
Our Doll Program aims to ensure that children in refugee camps will not go empty handed this holiday season. When you purchase a pair, another doll is produced and donated to one of the nursery school children living in the refugee camps. Currently, WEAVE supports over 4,500 pre-school children at over 50 nursery schools through our Early Childhood Development Program. During the holiday season, WEAVE visits the camps in order to distribute the dolls to as many pre-school children as we can. Each doll has a unique hairstyle and traditional dress, which reflects the friends and family of the woman who created it. Purchase one or donate now so you can help brighten a child’s life!
SHOP for a CAUSE
Shop for Change this Holiday season and enjoy 20-30% discounts. With every purchase, you are not only buying a beautifully handcrafted gift, but you are also strengthening women’s voices, opportunities, earning power and access to the most critical human needs for women and their families. The full selection of textiles, cards and gifts is available can be viewed in our online photo album, downloaded as a PDF catalogue or found on our website.
GET INVOLVED!
Whether you donate, volunteer, or just want to learn more about WEAVE’s work, there’s a way to get involved. Information about volunteering, contributions and resources about the situation on the Thai-Burma border are all available on our website.
THANK YOU
Special thanks to our sponsors and kindred individuals: Bernard van Leer Foundation, the Netherlands; Terre des Hommes, Germany in Southeast Asia; Refugee International, Japan; EMpower; Global Fund for Children; Stephanie Bernstein; Thai Tribal Craft; Australian Business Volunteers; Greater Good Foundation.
WEAVE accepts donations and grants and will match up funds up to 4,000 baht. Proceeds will be used to fund innovative and supportive projects of women’s and community based organizations that promote development and empowerment.
