A $10, $25 or $50 gift will help hundreds of refugees with psychosocial healing while they wait to go home.

When Myanmar’s military seized power in 2021, terror swept the country. The military turned on their own people, again—killing, torturing and imprisoning thousands. Families fled in every direction. Some hid in the jungle. Many crossed into Thailand, desperate for safety.

But safety never came. The refugee camps were closed. In border towns, people now live hidden and afraid—unable to work, constantly at risk of arrest or abduction by military spies. Trauma runs deep. Mental health support is nearly nonexistent, and for the refugees from Myanmar, there are no culturally relevant services at all.

In the midst of this despair, refugee artists created Joy House—a community arts center in Mae Sot, Thailand, where children and adults can begin to heal. Through music, painting, traditional dance, crafts and yoga, they find safety, connection and purpose again.

“Joy House gave me back my identity as a musician.” – violinist Phoe San

“For the first time since we fled, I felt freedom.” – Joy House participant

Joy House now supports hundreds of people—refugees from Myanmar and local Thais—through classes, exhibitions and outreach. The psychosocial support is via visual and performing art therapy, mental health resources and socially relevant trainings: painting, violin, guitar, traditional dance, mixed martial arts, handmade crafts, choir, cooking and yoga. Weekend classes target school-aged children and youths and advanced classes for vocational training. The outreach to underserved Thai schools builds friendship and understanding, with our Burmese trainers conducting the music and arts courses for Thai students. Joy House has become a lifeline for so many people.

But that lifeline is in danger. Major funding cuts mean all 46 Joy House trainers are now working without pay. These dedicated mentors, who earn only $222–$463 for each session (3 months), continue teaching because they know what’s at stake.

Without your support Joy House cannot survive.

$5 pays for stationery supplies

$15 pays for art supplies

$30 pays for a trainer for one entire week (art, music, dance, mixed martial arts, judo, handicrafts to sell)

$100 pays for a guitar or violin

$400 pays for 1 course of training for 1 session (3 months)

Our first goal of $30,000 will ensure 3 months of training at Joy House (1 session of courses). We are ultimately aiming for $125,000 to put Joy House on a secure footing for one year: This will cover the expenses for 2 learning centers, outreach and workshop events, staff, course trainers and materials, and refreshments.

You can ignore the suggested amounts on the contribute page and give whatever works for you. Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a difference.