At Wan Mai, every creation holds more than craftsmanship—it carries dreams, resilience, and tradition. Through our impact stories, we honor these voices and journeys, reminding us that supporting local creators means investing in lives, preserving heritage, and nurturing a more inclusive tomorrow.
For nearly 20 years, Somboon Chungto has devoted her life to supporting individuals living with mental illness in Thailand. As President of the Thai Family Link Association, she works tirelessly to break down social stigma and provide meaningful opportunities for those often marginalized. Through psycho-education, vocational training, and wellness recovery programs, participants are empowered to regain dignity, independence, and hope.
"Thai Family Link empowers individuals with mental illness through vocational training, psycho-education, and initiatives like Fala Natural Soap. With support from partners like Wan Mai, we are breaking the stigma and fostering independence in our community."
Mental health in Thailand often carries heavy social stigma, and small organizations like Thai Family Link face significant challenges—from limited resources to difficulties in reaching wider communities. Somboon's own experiences with bipolar disorder have fueled her determination to create meaningful change, yet scaling support and sharing impactful stories has been an ongoing struggle. Despite these obstacles, her dedication has built a foundation of resilience, hope, and community engagement.
With Wan Mai's support, Thai Family Link has been able to overcome critical barriers and strengthen its impact. Financial and logistical assistance enabled the renovation of a key facility for rehabilitation and training, creating a safe, functional space where participants can develop skills, craft Fala natural handmade soap, and engage in wellness programs. Additionally, Wan Mai's guidance helped enhance the organization's online presence, allowing Thai Family Link to share impactful stories, reach broader audiences, and promote their initiatives more effectively.
Through these combined efforts, Somboon and Thai Family Link are not just providing services—they are fostering resilience, independence, and community inclusion for people often marginalized by society. By blending vocational training, mental health support, and community engagement, the organization demonstrates how targeted initiatives can empower individuals while challenging social stigma. With Wan Mai's continued partnership, Thai Family Link is reaching new heights, transforming lives one skill, one story, and one empowered individual at a time.
Every handmade piece carries a story—and for Daw Win Pa Pa Ko, that story began with a simple love for creating scarves, handkerchiefs, and crocheted crafts by hand. Since she was young, she enjoyed embroidery and sewing, which later inspired her to start her own brand, Daw Pa—an enterprise that keeps local traditions alive.
With support from Wan Mai, Daw Win Pa Pa Ko took a brave and transformative step beyond her local community. What started as household crafts gradually developed into a thriving enterprise that empowers creators, particularly women, by providing opportunities to learn, collaborate, and earn a meaningful livelihood.
"Wan Mai gave me the tools to take my work further. It's been a rewarding journey of learning and connecting with a wider audience."
Through She Creates events and Wan Mai's international showcases, Daw Pa's creations have traveled far beyond Myanmar, reaching buyers and admirers across the globe. Each scarf, handkerchief, and crocheted item carries the story of its maker, preserving the cultural heritage of her community while connecting with audiences who value craftsmanship and tradition. The brand not only sells products but also shares the richness of local stories, weaving cultural education and pride into every item.
Through these combined efforts, Somboon and Thai Family Link are not just providing services—they are fostering resilience, independence, and community inclusion for people often marginalized by society. By blending vocational training, mental health support, and community engagement, the organization demonstrates how targeted initiatives can empower individuals while challenging social stigma. With Wan Mai's continued partnership, Thai Family Link is reaching new heights, transforming lives one skill, one story, and one empowered individual at a time.
Founded in 2012 by Naw Eh Wah, Amazing Grace began as a vision to create opportunities for women with disabilities through jewelry and craft production. What started as a small initiative has grown into a thriving social enterprise that blends creativity with purpose.
"Together with Wan Mai, I envision a future where more women can access training, secure dignified work, and build independent livelihoods."
Today, Amazing Grace brings together 15 trainers who support women across Myanmar with flexible employment and skill-building. For many participants, it is their first chance to earn an income and gain recognition within their communities.
"Before this, I had no way to earn a living. Now, I create something meaningful with my own hands."
With the establishment of its shop and studio in Yankin Township in 2014, Amazing Grace became more than a workplace—it is a creative hub where sustainable craftsmanship and community engagement flourish. Workshops on upcycled jewelry continue to raise awareness about ethical practices and environmental care, inspiring both makers and consumers alike.
Through Wan Mai and Community Partners International (CPI), Amazing Grace has taken its mission to the next level. Wan Mai has helped strengthen the organization's business model, expand its reach, and share its story with wider audiences both locally and internationally. This partnership has amplified the voices of women artisans, opened new market opportunities, and ensured that the initiative's mission of "Create with Awareness" resonates far beyond Myanmar. With Wan Mai's support, Amazing Grace continues to demonstrate how collaboration, creativity, and purpose can empower women and transform communities.
Every piece from Anu tells a story of nature, creativity, and heritage. For Julia Khin Kyi Phyu Aung, Anu started as a way to honor her mother's hand-woven cotton craft. What began as a personal project has grown into a meaningful platform that preserves the weaving traditions of the Chin community while creating livelihoods for local artisans.
"I want every Anu product to tell a story—not just of nature, but of love, family, and craftsmanship."
With Wan Mai's support, Julia has been able to bring Anu's creations and their stories to a broader audience. By connecting artisans to eco-conscious consumers and sustainable markets, Wan Mai has helped amplify the impact of Anu—empowering local makers and giving traditional techniques a renewed presence in the modern craft world.
Every stitch and naturally dyed textile carries forward a legacy of skill and storytelling. Through Anu, Julia demonstrates how craft can be a tool for empowerment—strengthening communities, preserving cultural practices, and creating meaningful economic opportunities for artisans.
Ultimately, Anu has grown beyond just textiles—it's a living testament to natural beauty, heritage and the spirit of community and creativity. Julia's partnership with Wan Mai highlights how collaboration can nurture talent, celebrate culture, and create lasting opportunities that uplift lives.
In the heart of Yangon, Snow finds potential where others see waste. Through her brand, JueHandmades, she transforms discarded wires into jewelry and sculptural art—each piece carrying stories of renewal, resilience, and quiet beauty. What began as experiments with scrap wires from local shops more than ten years ago has grown into a practice of faith, healing, and creative expression. For Snow, crafting is more than making objects—it is a form of art therapy, a way to connect with others, and a reminder that even the overlooked holds value.
"If you want to do something, just start; something will come."
As Snow's vision grew, Wan Mai's support became instrumental in expanding her reach. By connecting JueHandmades to broader networks, platforms, and markets, Wan Mai helped her creations travel beyond friends, church groups, and small workshops to reach both local and international audiences. These opportunities have allowed Snow's work to carry a powerful message: sustainability is not just achievable—it can also be beautiful.
Wan Mai's role extended beyond visibility. We provided guidance and necessary resources that helped Snow strengthen her operations, refine her craft, and scale her impact responsibly. With access to wider audiences and marketplaces, JueHandmades has grown from a personal creative practice into a movement that inspires hope, showing how discarded materials can become objects of value, beauty, and meaning.
Every piece from JueHandmades represents beyond artistry—it embodies transformation, sustainability, and the power of creative vision. With Wan Mai's partnership, Snow continues to turn what others discard into works of beauty, demonstrating that resilience, care, and ingenuity can inspire communities and create new possibilities for tomorrow.
For parents of children with cancer and genetic blood disorders, every day brings immense challenges—medical bills, travel to hospitals, and the emotional toll of caregiving. 'Sharing Our Strength' began as a small enterprise to help these parents earn income while supporting their children. By producing handmade crochet toys, postcards, and other items, the initiative gave families a way to sustain themselves in times of critical need.
Over time, Wan Mai became a vital partner in Sharing Our Strength's journey. Thanks to this partnership, the initiative found its way into wider networks, new markets, and global platforms. What once began as a small effort now reaches international audiences—sharing handcrafted creations that not only tell a story but also generate essential support for children and families confronting profound medical and financial hardships.
"Working with Wan Mai has helped us grow in ways we never expected. It's not just about the products—it's about the community we've built and the difference we're making."
Wan Mai's role has gone far beyond opening market doors. By encouraging sustainable practices and strengthening day-to-day operations, we helped Sharing Our Strength grow with stability and vision. Joining events and connecting with wider audiences not only generated income but also gave families a renewed sense of dignity and purpose.
When communities join hands, something powerful happens—craft becomes more than art; it becomes a source of hope and strength. Sharing Our Strength shows this truth in action, with every product helping to support children and families in need. With Wan Mai alongside, the initiative proves how collaboration can open opportunities, sustain livelihoods, and transform lives in lasting ways.
For over four decades, Burmese Chic has carried the heartbeat of Myanmar's artisanal heritage. What started as a family business under Daw Khit & sons has transformed into a vibrant enterprise that honors centuries-old techniques while stepping boldly into the present. Each rattan basket, bamboo creation, Pathein umbrella, and handcrafted paper piece tells a story of patience, skill, and imagination. Their jewelry, set with gemstones sourced from Myanmar's own soil, not only celebrates the nation's natural treasures but also uplifts the communities who bring them to life—turning heritage into opportunity, and craft into a living legacy.
Burmese Chic is more than an enterprise; it truly is a living archive of Myanmar's cultural identity. By keeping traditional crafts alive, the brand ensures that generational knowledge and artisanal skills are passed down, even in the face of changing markets and global challenges. Local artisans gain stable livelihoods, allowing them to continue practicing their craft while contributing to community resilience and pride.
With support from Wan Mai, Burmese Chic has been able to take its heritage crafts beyond local markets and introduce them to international audiences. Through pop-up events, showrooms, and online presence, Wan Mai has helped Burmese Chic amplify its visibility, connect with new buyers, and share the stories behind each handcrafted piece. This partnership has enabled artisans to reach wider audiences while sustaining fair practices and economic opportunities for their communities.
By blending tradition, artistry, and social entrepreneurship, Burmese Chic demonstrates how business can serve as a tool for cultural preservation and community empowerment. Through the partnership with Wan Mai, the brand continues to strengthen community identity, uphold fair livelihoods, and ensure that Myanmar's cultural treasures thrive—not just for today, but for generations to come.
Since 2006, Rovender has been transforming lives through textiles in Hlaing Thayar, Myanmar. Founded by a woman with a deep passion for craft and community, the social business provides meaningful employment for widows and single mothers—groups often excluded from formal work opportunities. Drawing inspiration from Myanmar's rich ethnic diversity, Rovender designs traditional garments that celebrate culture, heritage, and unity.
"I just love it. It makes me happy to help others."
Women in Myanmar face numerous barriers to stable employment, and widows and single mothers are particularly vulnerable. Beyond creating jobs, Rovender supports tailors personally, covering transport costs when financial or emotional challenges arise. Each garment crafted at Rovender carries not only skill but pride, resilience, and purpose—an emblem of empowerment woven stitch by stitch. Despite being a modest operation, Rovender has become a powerful vehicle for social impact and cultural preservation.
Through its partnership with Wan Mai, Rovender has reached new horizons, bringing Myanmar's rich cultural heritage to wider audiences. This collaboration not only helps the social enterprise grow sustainably but also ensures women artisans continue to enjoy dignified, meaningful work. Together, Wan Mai and Rovender strengthen the founder's vision—turning craft into a vehicle for empowerment, opportunity, and lasting community impact.
At Rovender, every stitch tells a story. By blending age-old garment traditions with hands-on mentorship, the social enterprise empowers women to transform skills into independence. More than craft, it's a platform where culture thrives and lives are reshaped. With Wan Mai's ongoing support, Rovender continues to nurture talent, spark confidence, and strengthen communities—one garment, one woman, one future at a time.
Since its founding, Cherry Myaing has been on a mission to keep the ancient craft of Myanmar lacquerware alive. Started by Ma Cho, the brand is rooted in a deep respect for tradition and a vision to sustain a skill passed down through generations. Lacquerware is more than decorative—it tells the story of Myanmar's culture and history. Made by hand using bamboo, natural resin from trees, and colors from ash, stone, or soot, each piece reflects care, patience, and heritage.
Today, traditional lacquerware faces challenges: factory-made products are cheaper and faster, making it difficult for artisans to maintain their craft. Cherry Myaing works closely with women in rural areas who carefully layer resin, polish surfaces to a shine, and carve delicate designs. These artisans create storage boxes, tableware, and jewelry cases, combining beauty with practicality. Ma Cho collaborates with them to design products that appeal to modern tastes while keeping traditional techniques and meaning intact. Through this work, women gain steady income while balancing family responsibilities, ensuring both livelihoods and cultural knowledge endure.
Wan Mai plays a vital role in connecting Cherry Myaing to broader audiences, both locally and internationally. Through various initiatives, Wan Mai helps showcase the artisans' work to customers who value authenticity and tradition. This support ensures that lacquerware remains visible, appreciated, and economically sustainable, giving artisans the opportunity to continue practicing their craft while supporting their families.
Cherry Myaing demonstrates how cultural traditions can inspire real-life impact. Because, through careful craftsmanship, modernized designs, and a commitment to supporting rural communities, the brand keeps Myanmar's lacquerware tradition alive while providing hope, resilience, and opportunity for future generations. With Wan Mai's ongoing partnership, each piece becomes more than a product—it is a symbol of history, skill, and the enduring spirit of those who create it.
