Meet the Artisans

Kang Woodcarving

Kang is an expert in detail, carving for many years from a long line of woodcarvers in his family and is
based in Koh Samui in the gulf of Thailand. He supports his very large extended family from Lampang
and surrounding areas of Chiang Mai providing the means for them to be able to survive and provide for
their immediate families.
They provide employment, meals and boarding for Thai Border refugees mostly from Myanmar to lift
themselves from poverty.
We have been supporting Kang and his team for more than 10 years and have a close relationship with
him and his family

Sinareat

Sinareat runs a women’s co-operative from her home in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Mostly women and
family workers prefer to work in their own homes. This way, the family life is not disrupted by “going to
work”. This is a huge benefit for women with babies, so they do not need to leave their home. Sinareat
gives the families a sewing machine so they do not have to purchase themselves. Some of the workers
do work together in Sinareat’s house and are free to come and go when they are able. Due to the vast
amount of poverty of some of these families, there is no pressure for completion or deadlines, so the
workers are able to complete the work when they can. A liveable and reliable income is especially
important for women as it allows them to raise healthy babies and children and provide for their future.

EED and Peak

Run a cottage industry Woodcarving business based in Chiang Mai. EED’s mother was a very skilled
woodcarver with skills passed down through the generations. In years gone by, girls only went to school
until the age of 10, when they left to help the family earn an income whilst their mothers were raising
the family. Boys stayed at school and were able to go to further study. EED’s mother saved very hard, so
EED could also study and make a better life for herself. After getting a full education, EED felt the best
way she could give back to her community, was to support the woodcarving industry from which she was
born,
focussing on supporting the disabled and elderly. She provides an environment where they can
work at their own pace and be paid fairly.
We have worked closely with EED and her team for over 8 years to ensure they have enough income for
a sustainable life, for education and well-being.

Sreang and Sreynov

Husband and Wife team whose aim is to empower their workers with disabilities as a result of
Landmines, Polio sufferers, other disabled persons and the underprivileged. They operate their small
NGO business from their home in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. They contribute to the social development of
the employees by providing training creative and further employment opportunities. Sreang and Sreynov
base their business around family as many of their employees have family members working with them
during the day.

Phum and his family make traditional Hmong Hilltribe Children’s Shoes and Adult dresses. They hand embroider each shoe and most of the clothing made. We have been supporting Phum for 3 years to help provide education for him and his siblings.

Mint makes Hilltribe Skirts and jackets from Vintage, Hand Embroidered, re-purposed clothing. It is traditional for the Hmong and other Hilltribes of Northern Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam to make their intricate wardrobes for only 1 year, then discard them and make a new wardrobe for themselves. This clothing is then repurposed into many items including bags, purses and beautiful jackets and Skirts. The purchase of one of these items ensures Mint is able to support herself and family.

Meena and her mother specialise in making skirts, bags and purses from Vintage, Hand Embroidered, re- purposed clothing. Working closely with Meena’s sister, they continually make new designs for us from the array of fabrics they find. Meena has also just started her own line of Hilltribe Necklaces made from Fabric offcuts and pom poms

Madame Layheng and Soviriya These beautiful sisters hand make childrens mobiles in animal shapes and cosmetic travel purses. The fabric used is usually wastage from the many garment factories that would be otherwise discarded into landfill, adding to the increasing garbage issue in Cambodia. Their expert sewing craftsmanship was self taught at a young age and they continue to grow their skill with creating new products each time we visit them. Their income they make helps to support their families for the future.

And Many More…