Naw Htoo Taw, a 45-year-old woman residing in a temporay shelter for displaced people from Myanmar, has been living with her husband and two children in the temporary shelter for the past two years. Formerly a housewife and a missionary, she lived near the Bible School, dedicating her time to her family and spiritual responsibilities.

Upon her arrival at the temporary shelter, Naw Htoo Taw found herself at a crossroads. Without any vocational skills, she described her life as that of “an aimless person, uncertain of what to do next.” She had no idea how to generate income or support her family financially. Motivated by the desire to create a better future, she began seeking opportunities and soon learned about the vocational training programs offered by ADRA through a temporary shelter announcement. Determined to change her circumstances, she made the decision to enroll in the sewing course. She shared her plan with her family, who wholeheartedly supported her ambition to build a skillset that could one day support them all.

“I made the right decision,” she reflected. “Before joining the training, I didn’t even know how to operate a sewing machine. I couldn’t sew a straight seam—let alone stitch a simple sarong.” With a beaming smile, she now says, “My life has truly transformed.” Naw Htoo Taw has acquired the skills to craft a wide variety of garments, including women’s blouses, traditional Karen waistcoats, various types of skirts, and sarongs. She has also learned how to design and sew children’s clothing, offering these items to her growing customer base.