Daisy Dwe and the Weaving for Women program
In a country ruled by a ruthless, xenophobic, military junta, that openly practices ethnic cleansing, the last thing you might expect to run across is a restaurant with the motto “Better Fed than Red”. However, if you were in the sleepy eastern Burmese border town of Three Pagodas in the early 1980s, you would likely have wandered in for a meal.
“Daisy's Revolutionary Restaurant”, owned and operated by Daisy Dwe, openly opposed the abusive regime with its bold slogan. After spending a week in a Rangoon jail in 1984, simply because of her ethnicity, Daisy decided to initiate her own personal protest. Daisy Dwe, is from the Karen ethnic minority. The Karen have long advocated democracy in Burma, fighting the Burma Army since the government was hijacked by the military under General Ne Win in 1962. As a result of their political ideology, the Karen have long been the victims of persecution by the military. This daring approach placed Daisy and her family in danger of military retaliation.
The disastrous political situation in Burma prompted Daisy and husband Dr. Hla Schwe to leave the capital of Rangoon and move to Three Pagodas Pass, near the Thai border, 350km northwest of Bangkok in 1974. This eastern Burmese state was controlled by ethnic Karen and remained relatively peaceful and safe. Dr. Hla practiced medicine at the River Kwai Christian Hospital, just inside Thailand, and Daisy opened a guesthouse. When Dr. Hla died in 1984, Daisy continued to operate her guesthouse and opened her defiant restaurant that year.
The peace of Three Pagodas was shattered in early 1989 when the Karen and Mon minorities entered a war over disputed territory. After one year, the army was sent in. The military demonstrated its ruthlessness, killing innocent people, primarily males, and destroying personal property. Daisy’s guesthouse and Revolutionary Restaurant were burned by the military.
Daisy fled to Thailand, a widowed refugee. Witnessing the tragic lives facing thousands of women in similar circumstances, she decided to focus on assisting as she could. In 1990, Daisy was instrumental in establishing the first United Nations refugee camp in Thailand for Karen. She acted as interpreter to foreign aid workers, highlighting the numerous issues facing a displaced community, largely comprised of widowed mothers and their children.
Encouraged by international efforts to assist the refugee community, Daisy desired to have a broader impact. By 1995, she had garnered the support of friends and started Weaving for Women (WFW). The primary goal of WFW is to teach refugee women a vocation and employ them, providing a fair salary and the opportunity to improve their situations.
Initially, a traditional Burmese sitting loom was used, but this method proved slow and labour intensive. With demand growing, Daisy sought to purchase a proper loom. WFW received support from the Burmese Relief Center and purchased the first loom. Master Weavers from Burma set the threads and taught their craft to the women and production of 100% cotton, hand woven textiles featuring traditional hilltribe designs was underway on a larger scale.
Weaving for Women has since expanded to 5 looms, employing weavers and tailors, exporting handicrafts to Europe and North America. Profits from WFW support the displaced Burmese community in her adopted town of Sangkhlaburi. If someone needs assistance, Daisy is there; paying medical bills; assisting HIV/AIDS victims; providing money for basic food and shelter, school fees and uniforms; assisting in legal issues; and, wherever else there is a need.
WFW received a telephone and computer with internet capability in 1996. A small truck is always available whenever there is need. From trips to the hospital to food delivery, the truck has enabled Daisy to extend the reach of her community assistance. Daisy continues in her efforts to broaden her business and thus her humanitarian aid.
In 2004, changes to Thai law allowed refugees to acquire documentation to work legally in the border regions. At an average cost of U$135 per person per year, this was well beyond the financial capability of most refugees. Thanks to a generous donation from the Bridge Street United Church in Belleville, Ontario, Canada, Daisy was able to procure the necessary paperwork. Daisy’s weavers and tailors were able to work without fear of legal reprisal from Thai authorities. A June, 2006 change in Thai law levies a heavy fine for unlicensed employees and jail terms for their employers. Daisy's challenge is to keep this paperwork current every year by paying the annual dues.
Recently, friends of WFW created a website to broaden the market potential for sales. Photographs of weaving in various stages, a catalogue with pricing, ordering and shipping information, as well as other information can be found at www.weavingforwomen.org
Weaving for Women is a grassroots organization. From providing training and employment opportunities, to improving the basic quality of life for the marginalized Burmese refugee community, WFW is an example of the positive effect one individual can have.
Daisy's true wish is that democracy will return to Burma and the displaced ethnic minorities may return to their former homes and land and live a peaceful and productive life.
Support Weaving for Women by purchasing product. Not only do you receive quality handicrafts but the satisfaction in knowing that you are helping Daisy help her refugee community.
Tim Morch, Copyright, 2004-2010
