[marketplace] burmese refugee crafts

In celebration of yesterday's World Refugee Day, I'm taking a look at crafts and handiworks created by refugees, and I'd like to highlight the Kachin Women's Association Thailand, a women's refugee group at the Thailand-Burma border.

These pencil cases have a beautiful design, and I love the jewel tone colors. They are also fair trade and directly support anti-trafficking, which is such a huge issue in that region.

And to go along with your pencil case, these really sweet pencils exhibiting traditional Burmese dress.

I think these crafts remind us that even in the face of displacement, the lives of refugees go on. They find ways to make a living and try to improve their situation and that of their community.

You can find these products and learn more about these group of craftswomen at http://www.globalgoodspartners.org/cbo/KWAT/.