Our Story
Since the coup, Better Burma has provided constant humanitarian aid to the vulnerable communities in Myanmar. Over time, we came to realize that another consequence of the coup was a severely collapsed economy as trade and tourism evaporated almost entirely. Local artisan communities, which had been well trained in their crafts, suddenly found every opportunity of livelihood closed off to them.
In the hopes of supporting these skilled workers and returning the proceeds form their crafts to the broader communities, while also bringing the life and color of Myanmar to the world, we have created a merchandise shop.
Better Burma brings items direct from their workshops into your home. These pieces will not only light up your room with a handicraft or textile from a far corner of the world, but also help to create sustainable businesses and livelihoods for dozens of artisans whose opportunities have suddenly been cut short.
The Artisans
Better Burma’s handicrafts are sourced from artisan communities scattered throughout Myanmar. Far from being produced in a massive factory, the pieces we offer reflect the immense diversity of the different peoples found throughout the country.
When Myanmar experienced a “transition period” towards democracy in the late 2010s, which was following many years of military dictatorship, many craftspeople hoped their beautiful work could finally go beyond their borders. Indeed, new opportunities developed as tourism began to flourish, and trade picked up as well. But following the military coup launched of 2021, many skilled artisans suddenly found all possibilities of livelihood closed off, and began struggling simply to feed their families.
We prioritize working with artisans from disadvantaged and vulnerable backgrounds, because we know just how hard it can be to survive at the margins of society in Myanmar. These include such groups as people with disabilities, mothers who have contracted HIV/AIDS, civil servants on CDM, ethnic and religious minorities, and more.
Proud of Made in Myanmar
Every item that you purchase from Better Burma was made from an individual artisan in Myanmar. It was produced either in a local workshop or community center, or even within one’s own home.
Because we do not source from any factory, no two items are exactly the same. And sadly, because the country has been largely closed off due to the military coup, supply of various materials and even basic electricity access has become severely limited.
In these trying conditions, we all take great pride in knowing that all of our products are 100% Myanmar made!
At the same time, we also want to be transparent with customers about our process, and the challenges that we currently face. We welcome any feedback for further improvement.
Our Products
We take great pride in all of our products being 100% Myanmar-made, from the materials to the design to the workmanship. From the thanaka artfully incorporated on the dolls’ faces to the cats and frogs wearing scarves made of traditional longyi fabric, they all clearly show that they were made in the Golden Land! So your gift will bring a little bit of authentic Myanmar into the home of its recipient, and even if just a little, will help keep the people and culture alive in our hearts at this time.
The Artists
The military junta illegally seized power in Myanmar in a coup on February 1st, 2021. Immediately following this attempted coup, pro-democracy protests swept across the country in nonviolent protests. Following the military crackdown, people could no longer assemble in public places. At the same time, the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) began to gain steam, with many civil servants refusing to go to their office to work for the new military leaders. Some of those on CDM were also artists. Like others, these artists and their families have faced extreme financial difficulties. Even while in hiding, these artists have been using their skills to make paintings, sculptures, and handicrafts. The art you find on this page are made by these artists on CDM, and 100% of proceeds from these paintings are going to support the humanitarian mission in Myanmar.