Earthquake Support for Myanmar

Earthquake update:

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit Mandalay, the second largest city in Myanmar. Strong aftershocks followed, and there has been mass destruction.

Unfortunately this has affected our team, as our two main families are in Mandalay.

Our interpreter has lost his home, as has seeked shelter in the monastery, alongside many other families who have been displaced.

Over 2000 people are reported dead at this stage and the death toll will continue to rise as there are many bodies trapped in the rubble of collapsed buildings.

Our weaving teams in the villages are safe, but much of the country has no electricity, no fresh water, no internet and access to basic needs.

Myanmar doesn’t have the machinery or experienced crisis teams to tackle the impact of a disaster this big. Some international aid has reached the affected areas but it is not enough.

We are beyond devastated as the country has been dealing with ongoing civil war for the last four years, and have only just recovered from the typhoon and flooding in September last year.

Thanks to all of you that have reached out to us already.

We will be sending aid money next week directly to our team, to share in the community where it is needed most.

We have confirmed with our team that it is OK to send money directly and they can buy food and supplies and start the journey to rebuild.

Alongside this fundraiser, we will also contribute 50% of our online sales for the next few weeks directly for Earthquake relief.

COVID and military coup:

We were devastated at the news of our head weaver Nyo Nyo and her mother passed away from COVID-19 in 2020.

We have since pledged to support Nyo Nyo’s two teenage children through financing education and living expenses.

Additionally, we send support money to our weavers, our extended team to help their families and wider village communities directly in any way we can.

Unfortunately the political crisis in Myanmar has continued to worsen since the military takeover on February 1, 2021 and the country is in ongoing civil war.

The UN deems the situation to be a humanitarian crisis. The level of impoverishment has not been seen in the country since 2005 and the economy is facing significant risks of a collapse.

We will continue to use this platform for any additional support and donations we receive, and we are thankful that we are able to still directly send money to our team.

Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support, it really has made a direct difference to the lives of our weavers and their families. We will continue to do everything we can to help.