WEAVE (Women’s Education for Advancement and Empowerment) in Thailand

Since 1986, thousands of Burmese families have fled the human rights abuses in their native country for Thailand, creating a network of overcrowded refugee camps at the Thai-Burmese border. Among these camps are hundreds of thousands of families facing horrific emotional and physical hardship. Weave, a diverse organization of women, has created a unique partnership with the marginalized women in this area to bring financial and emotional stability to these survivors. The group was founded to empower indigenous women and support their needs and basic human rights while working closely with other refugee women’s organizations. Weave’s programs focus on education, health and income generation. Together, the Burmese women gain vocational and leadership skills as they preserve their traditional weaving and embroidery arts, creating embroidered cotton ornaments, scarves and tote bags.