My name is Daw Lone Tin, I am 75 and live in Myanmar.

I live in a village in central Myanmar and take part in the village’s income generation project of basket-weaving which has long been a traditional skill in my community.  It provides an alternative, year-round income alongside farming. The village does not have electricity, but this is not preventing the village development committee from embracing new technologies to support all members of the community, even selling products online through Facebook. Our products are sold far and wide.

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 (US$8). 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 takes 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. For every 40 baskets made, the weaver gets 12,000 kyats (£4). The basket weaving skills are shared with other family members.

The future looks bright

35% of the profits are put back into the community. They are spent on meeting the needs of at-risk people in the community, such as 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.

Thanks to support like yours we plan to help our local partner provide funds to a further 90 villages. The aim is to increase the income of the weavers and create more jobs that older people like Daw Lone Tin can participate in.