I first met Coleen when I popped in on a Kleo book sale, and after browsing some rows of books, I asked someone attending the tables what the fundraiser was for. I was introduced to Coleen, who sat down with me, and gave me all of her attention as she told me about the Karen people, and the work that she and the the other members of Kleo do in support of their struggle. On my way home, I thought about this scene of people unassumingly and diligently doing what they could do. It occurred to me that I had just become aware of something that I admired, and I turned back and left Coleen with a standing offer to contribute some design and communications. Fortunately for me, she took me up on that, and since then, I’ve been honoured and enriched in working with Kleo, and by the generosity and wisdom of the Karen that I’ve come to know. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to learn and to grow with Kleo! Duong Jai was taught to weave from her mother when she was a young girl. Duong Jai hopes that in the future, the children of Nong Tao will complete University and get good jobs. Suneesa made the decision to return to her village to help her community by starting the women’s weaving co-op, and now contributes to the design and sewing of woven products. I first met Coleen when I popped in on a Kleo book sale, and after browsing some rows of books, I asked someone attending the tables what the fundraiser was for. I was introduced to Coleen, who sat down with me, and gave me all of her attention as she told me about the Karen people, and the work that she and the the other members of Kleo do in support of their struggle. On my way home, I thought about this scene of people unassumingly and diligently doing what they could do. It occurred to me that I had just become aware of something that I admired, and I turned back and left Coleen with a standing offer to contribute some design and communications. Fortunately for me, she took me up on that, and since then, I’ve been honoured and enriched in working with Kleo, and by the generosity and wisdom of the Karen that I’ve come to know. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to learn and to grow with Kleo! I first met Coleen when I popped in on a Kleo book sale, and after browsing some rows of books, I asked someone attending the tables what the fundraiser was for. I was introduced to Coleen, who sat down with me, and gave me all of her attention as she told me about the Karen people, and the work that she and the the other members of Kleo do in support of their struggle. On my way home, I thought about this scene of people unassumingly and diligently doing what they could do. It occurred to me that I had just become aware of something that I admired, and I turned back and left Coleen with a standing offer to contribute some design and communications. Fortunately for me, she took me up on that, and since then, I’ve been honoured and enriched in working with Kleo, and by the generosity and wisdom of the Karen that I’ve come to know. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to learn and to grow with Kleo! Duong Jai was taught to weave from her mother when she was a young girl. Duong Jai hopes that in the future, the children of Nong Tao will complete University and get good jobs. Suneesa made the decision to return to her village to help her community by starting the women’s weaving co-op, and now contributes to the design and sewing of woven products. Duong Jai was taught to weave from her mother when she was a young girl. Duong Jai hopes that in the future, the children of Nong Tao will complete University and get good jobs.
Duong Jai was born in Nong Tao in 1971 and lives with her husband and three children. She graduated from Grade 6 at Nong Tao school and Grade 9 in Mae Win, after which she learned sewing and design at Jam Wah Lai school in Bangkok for three years.
Suneesa was born in 1993 in Nong Tao and lives with her mother, father, and 3 siblings. Suneesa completed grade 6 in Nong Tao and with support from Jen’s House graduated grade 9 in Mae Win and completed grade 12 in San Pa Tong. She then studied sewing and design at Marina School for 5 months.
Duong Jai was born in Nong Tao in 1971 and lives with her husband and three children. She graduated from Grade 6 at Nong Tao school and Grade 9 in Mae Win, after which she learned sewing and design at Jam Wah Lai school in Bangkok for three years.
Suneesa was born in 1993 in Nong Tao and lives with her mother, father, and 3 siblings. Suneesa completed grade 6 in Nong Tao and with support from Jen’s House graduated grade 9 in Mae Win and completed grade 12 in San Pa Tong. She then studied sewing and design at Marina School for 5 months.
Duong Jai was born in Nong Tao in 1971 and lives with her husband and three children. She graduated from Grade 6 at Nong Tao school and Grade 9 in Mae Win, after which she learned sewing and design at Jam Wah Lai school in Bangkok for three years.