Daw Lone Tin is earning an income

Daw Lone Tin lives in a village in central Myamar, where a community project to make and sell baskets is having a real impact. Basket-weaving has long been a traditional skill among residents and for older people like Daw Lone Tin, it provides an alternative, year-round income to farming. The village may not have electricity but that doesn’t stop the community from embracing new technologies to grow the business. 

“At the age of 75, I am still helping make baskets to earn an income. I work alongside my sister making 25 basket handles a day. I can't make the whole basket. I make the handle and the trim, and she makes the main body. If we finish 40 baskets, we get 12,000 kyats (£4). The income I make is spent on food and activities such as going to the monastery to pay my respects to Buddha.

Basket weaving is more stable than working in the yard, and I don’t need to work in the sun and or go far away.

I used to work on a farm and planted betel and coconuts but changed to basket weaving as it enables me to keep working and be independent. Whenever I feel unwell my family makes sure I take my medication and have plenty of rest.”

A sustainable business venture

“Everyone in the village takes part in the business venture, with people of all ages involved. The work is not too physically demanding, it can be done in the shade and is conveniently located within the village, which makes it particularly suited for older people like me. Everyone who is able to weave can join the business and the basket weaving skills are shared with other family members.”

The future looks bright

“Our products are sold far and wide. We even sell through Facebook. In total, 35 per cent of the profits are put back into the community. They are spent on providing nutritious food to older people, women, children and people with disabilities.

As soon as electricity reaches our village, the committee plans to buy a machine to make the raw materials, taking further control of the supply chain and helping boost profits even more.”

Myanmar villagers embrace new technology to sell traditional baskets

In many countries around the world, there are no government pension schemes to support people as they age and where there are pension schemes it is often not enough to live on. Thanks to the support of the Grandparent’s United community, Age International’s local partners can work with more communities to set up income generating schemes, enabling more older people, like Daw Lone Tin, to support themselves, their families and their communities.