Founded in 2010, the core Tanma members are of the three ethnic minorities – Karen, Mon and Chin – from four Kuala Lumpur-based groups, namely Paw Ghee, Mang Tha, Kaoprise, and the Chin Women’s Organisation (CWO).
Tanma means “strong” in Burmese, and true to its name, the federation aims to provide the women with skills training, English lessons, business and marketing skills development, financial literacy, livelihood project management, and education for their children.
Human rights and gender-based violence awareness programmes are also carried out to empower the women.
Audrey Perriolat, who has been Tanma coordinator since 2018, says refugees in the country are always struggling as Malaysia does not officially recognise them as such.
“They don’t have the right to work, their children don’t have the right to attend school, and healthcare is expensive,” says the 32-year-old.
Many of them live in fear of being arrested as they are undocumented. Malaysia has not ratified the United Nations’ 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol, and does not have an asylum system regulating the status and rights of refugees.
The Tanma women support their families by making handicraft at its centre in Pudu, KL and collaborating with various groups to sell their creations.
“Things have been very difficult during the pandemic as the centre isn’t open and the women have not had an income for several months now,” Audrey tells FMT.
“Their husbands aren’t working as well, and they’re facing eviction as they’re unable to pay their rent and bills.”
She says the women used to sell their products at bazaars around the Klang Valley, but all of them are closed at present due to the movement control order.
They have also tried selling their products through social media but sales have not been encouraging.
Cuai (not her real name) has been living in Malaysia for the past nine years. Besides making handicraft, she works at the CWO’s refugee school in KL, where she teaches English and the Chin language.
“We want to conduct online lessons for the children but we don’t have laptops and internet connection,” she laments.
According to Cuai, the women from the four Tanma groups make different products using their own fabric as “we don’t want to compete with each other”.
Women from the Paw Ghee group use traditional Karen fabric to make yoga and sling bags, whereas the Mang Tha women use traditional Chin fabric to make wine bottle bags, passport covers and cross-stitch purses.
The Kaoprise women make soaps, candles and coconut oil, while the CWO members make placemats and batik clutch bags.
The 31-year-old, who has a five-year-old son, says conditions in Myanmar have been bad since the military coup d’etat earlier this year.
“My family there has to hide in their underground shelter at night. We want full democracy in Myanmar so that families can stay together,” she adds.
‘A chance to work freely’
Muang (not her real name) is a Chin refugee who came to Malaysia with her family 10 years ago.
“It’s been really challenging for us because my parents can’t get jobs as they don’t speak English or Malay,” says the 24-year-old, who previously attended a community school for refugees.
Since 2016 Muang has been working at the Mang Tha training centre in KL, which organises sewing courses for the women.
“We really want a chance to work freely just like the locals,” she says. “We don’t earn much, and what little we have goes to paying the rent and utility bills. We don’t have savings.”
Muang hopes to give back to her village once the situation improves in Myanmar.
Audrey shares that Tanma has launched a fundraising campaign to help the women, and those who are interested can get in touch with them to obtain supporting materials.
The NGO also seeks donations of sewing machines and sewing materials, and are on the lookout for volunteers for the CWO community school once it reopens.
“Ultimately, we’d like to collaborate with more social enterprises as it’s beneficial for us in the long run,” she adds.
To purchase handicraft by the refugee women, visit Tanma Federation’s Facebook and Instagram profiles. For more information, including how to donate or volunteer, send a Whatsapp message to 016-9587782 or email [email protected].