SOUVENIR PROJECTS CHANGE LIVES

Souvenirs play a huge role in the tourism industry. If souvenirs are made locally (not shipped in from China), they can boost an area’s economy, serve as marketing tools, and bring real benefits to communities and individuals.

To illustrate this, here is a piece I wrote following a trip to Myanmar. The country is going through a tough time (once again), and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice does not make encouraging reading for anyone considering making a trip to Myanmar. Hopefully the situation will improve sooner rather than later, and when it does, travellers will find Myanmar an amazing place with wonderful people. And an easy way to support the local economy and culture is to buy some of the beautiful items made by a variety of projects.

 

FIRST POSTED 21 January 2021:

Buying a souvenir (or three) is part of the fun of visiting a new place, especially one that is very different from your home country. And it’s better still if you can find a memento that has helped lift someone out of poverty.

If you’re visiting Yangon, then this is actually easier than you’d imagine. Pop into Hla Day, Pomelo or the FXB Showroom and every item you buy, from cushions to purses, from ornaments to furniture will help make a positive difference.

FXB is an international development organisation working in ShwePyiThar, a township of Yangon.  Each year around 100 students are trained in weaving, tailoring, furniture making, wood and metal work. Each student is paid a stipend during their training to help them take the time needed to learn. They are also provided with a hot meal.  Once trained, most students go on to get jobs in factories, or take their skills back to their home village and set up small businesses or they are employed by the FXB’s ‘commercial’ arm – which makes, and sells products to create a sustainable income to support further training.

They produce a range of stylish furniture (unfortunately too big to fit in a suitcase) and gorgeous scarves, table runners, candle sticks and purses. All their products can be purchased at the FXB Showroom in Yangon.

The project is also supported by the Novotel Max (part of the Accor group) in Yangon, which not only buys some of the products but also actively looks for new ways to help them generate an income. The most recent example of this is pens. Hotels get through 1000s of pens – and they are usually made of plastic and end up in landfill at the end of their life. So, Philippe Battlé at the Novotel wanted to find a way to reduce the plastic and create and attractive, recycled pen for staff and guests to use. The result is ingenious; workers at FXB wrap sheets of pre-used paper around a central ink reservoir (i.e., the narrow plastic tube filled with ink), layer upon layer is added until the pen is big enough to handle comfortably. Then a final branded sheet is stuck on the outside and the end is trimmed. The pens look so good I expect many guests take them home.

Pomelo and Hla Day are both Fairtrade marketplaces supporting social businesses throughout Myanmar. Every purchase contributes to social and economic change in some of the country’s most marginalised communities and helps support unique skills and craftsmanship.

Projects include:

Amazing Grace: Handcrafted jewellery made by a group of women with disabilities living on the outskirts of Yangon. Amazing Grace provides training, encourages the use of recycled materials, and gives empowerment and a sustainable income to these ladies.

Chu Chu Plastic: A cooperative working to raise awareness of the importance of recycling. Chu Chu uses old plastic packaging to create colourful bags and purses, improving the lives of people within the collective, while also helping the environment.

School for the Blind: Using touch alone rattan weavers create a range of gorgeous products. The school provides education, vocational training, resources and employment.

Mrauk U Weaving: beautiful table runners and wall hangings are backstrap woven by women in Rakhine state. The majority of weavers are over 60 years old and work from home, investing the money they earn into education for their children and grandchildren.

Flame Tree: Helping vulnerable women find support through a sewing circle, Flame Tree teaches and mentors its members in design and tailoring, achieving both emotional and financial support for the women members.

Turned Wood Design: A father and son wood carving business created to support the wider community by offering carpentry training, English lessons, and writing classes. All their products are made using reclaimed teak.

Sone Tu: Working directly with the Chin people to preserve their cultural identity and heritage through weaving and textiles.

Grace IDP Refugees: The war in Kachin State has left many families homeless. Grace works with mothers in the refugee camps to help them create natural soaps and balms – and the money raised from the sale of these products is used to directly support the nutrition and education of the children living in the refugee camps.

Sein Nar Gar Glass: Glass is collected across Yangon and then recycled into a range of beautiful hand-blown glassware.  Waste glass is a big problem in Myanmar so this project combining recycling and craftsmanship works on two levels.

Helping Hands: Skilled artisans work alongside street children training them in the art of furniture restoration. Together they bring old and unloved furniture back to life (keeping it out of landfill) and   generate an income.

Phoenix: Created by a self-help group for people living with HIV/AIDS Phoenix is small scale garment business providing members with a sustainable income and access to a clinic and two shelters.

With so much choice of beautiful, ethical and Fairtrade products from FXB, Hla Day and Pomelo – your biggest challenge will be finding enough space in your suitcase!

 

FACT BOX
Novotel Max, Yangon: accorhotels.com
FXB: fxb.org/programs/myanmar
Khiri Travel can supply an English-speaking guide to take you around Yangon and visit the shops mentioned above: khiri.com
Myanmar Tourism: tourismmyanmar.org
Pomelo: pomelofairtrade.com
Hla Day: hladaymyanmar.org

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chantal Cooke is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster and co-founder of PASSION for the PLANET.

Chantal is passionate about tourism being used as a force for good.

You can follow her adventures on Facebook and Twitter @chantalcooke and on Instagram @Chantaldcooke