Other Initiatives

Upon moving in Myanmar in 2019, I quickly developed a profound appreciation for the country and its remarkable people. In February 2021, the military staged a coup, leading to significant political and economic instability.  In the aftermath, many abandoned their occupations to join resistance movements. Intensifying conflicts led to a notable increase in internally displaced persons. These events disrupted livelihoods, education, and access to essential resources. The ensuing economic crisis, characterized by soaring inflation and the devaluation of the Myanmar Kyat, disproportionately affected food prices, contributing to heightened food insecurity. 

As the people of Myanmar strive for their fundamental rights, I am dedicated to supporting them in any way I can.

A few months following the coup, while looking for ways to support the country, I connected with Abby, a university student in Myanmar, and co-founded Coup & Canvas. 

Coup & Canvas is a fundraising platform dedicated to showcasing the talents of Myanmar's artists and artisans, with profits directed towards aiding populations affected by the coup. Additionally, Coup & Canvas organizes awareness campaigns addressing key issues in Myanmar.

We function as a small organization with a handful of individuals working on a volunteer basis, united by a common interest in supporting Myanmar.

A few highlights of our work at Coup & Canvas

We launched our social media platforms in 2021, primarily using Instagram and Facebook for fundraising efforts. 

Our main founder, Abby, shared her post-coup experiences and discussed Coup & Canvas' journey in a podcast.

Some of our initiatives included: 

Selling some of our products at a fundraising event in Thailand

An example of our products

Exhibition in Singapore

If you would like to know more about Coup & Canvas, to work with us (as an artist/artisan or to support our team), or to support us or Myanmar, feel free to contact me or to email us at coupandcanvas.myanmar@gmail.com

Upcoming ideas...

Myanmar possesses a rich history of textile production. With over 135 ethnic groups, many of these have their own textile traditions, including traditional weaving techniques. Together with an inspiring Burmese woman in Myanmar, we aspire to start a social enterprise promoting textiles from various ethnic populations Myanmar while providing income-generating opportunities for ethnic women who are one of the most affected groups in the midst of the economic crisis following the coup. 

We plan to launch the small business soon... so stay updated!