Meet Pann Nann Ein
Our embroidered star decorations are made by Pann Nann Ein, a social enterprise based in Yangon, Burma which enables people with disabilities to use their creative potential for safe dignified work.
Over 2 million people in Burma live with disabilities. That's 3% of the population, a figure which increases daily due to the ongoing civil conflict. Most cannot find work and receive no support at all from the government. Pann Nann Ein work with about 20 adults with differing disabilities, mainly from poorer areas of Yangon. They receive income for producing their beautiful handmade products and are also supported with physical and mental health, as well as social and emotional wellbeing.
The lady in the blue top here is called April. She is one of Pann Nann Ein's main card makers, but also leads the star-making team. She takes great pride in her handmade work and is learning to make new products all the time. As a person living with a disability, having work gives her dignity in her community. She is able to support her parents with the income she receives from work which is particularly important as her mother is unable to work due to health reasons.
Everybody in Burma is living through very uncertain, turbulent times, but despite the challenges Pann Nann Ein have been able to continue working. They are hoping to expand their work to include people with disabilities from other regions, particularly those most affected by conflict.
