Image: Lahpai Seng Awn. (Aye Pyae Sone/CPI)
Born into a world that often overlooks people with disabilities, Lahpai Seng Awn (‘Seng Awn’) refused to be defined by limitations. From being carried to school on her siblings’ backs to founding a social enterprise, her journey is one of resilience, creativity, and empowerment. Through Companions, she not only supports herself but also uplifts other disabled women in Myanmar facing adversity. This is the story of how one woman turned obstacles into opportunities—one stitch at a time.
As a two-year-old in Myanmar, Seng Awn, 44, fell ill with a high fever that left her partially paralyzed in both legs.
“When I was young, I was impressed by the strength and abilities of others,” Seng shares. “I was sad I couldn’t walk like them. My elder brothers and sisters carried me to school on their backs. Feeling that I was a burden, I stopped attending school. I learned various crafts at home, like needlework and crocheting, and read many books.”
“I once asked my mother, ‘Why did you give birth to me to live with this disability?’” Seng Awn reveals. “She was silent, and her eyes filled with tears. I felt terrible guilt for asking that question. She never answered me.”
Some years later, a disabled friend encouraged Seng Awn to use her creative skills to earn income.
“She focused on making beads while I worked on embroidery patterns,” she recalls. “In 2015, sequin dresses were very popular, so I focused on that trend and also made bracelets from recycled drink straws. I had no intention of selling my creations; I was simply exploring ideas. But my friend encouraged me to try and sell them. To my surprise, people appreciated my designs and bought them. It motivated me to continue and helped me earn a small income.”
In 2018, Seng Awn and some friends formed Companions, a social enterprise that helps disabled women and mothers of children with cancer in Myanmar to earn income. Companions produces a variety of handicrafts, cotton bags, and customized fabrics. “We chose the name ‘Companions’ to signify a deeper and more lasting connection than friendship,” Seng Awn explains.
Nearly six million people in Myanmar have one or more disability. People with disabilities in Myanmar are more likely to be excluded from education and the workforce. A 2016 study revealed that two-thirds of disabled children were not in school (compared to one-fifth of children in the general population). Data from 2015 showed that people with disabilities are also more than twice as likely to be unemployed. Disabled women and girls in Myanmar fare worse than their male counterparts in access to education and employment.
The escalating multidimensional crisis in Myanmar disproportionately impacts people with disabilities. As public services like health care decline, people with disabilities face greater obstacles to accessing specialized and disability-inclusive services for their particular needs. Myanmar’s economic downturn and rising unemployment make it more difficult for people with disabilities, already facing discrimination and marginalization, to access employment and livelihood opportunities.
Among conflict-affected and displaced populations, people with disabilities face additional barriers – physical, attitudinal, financial, communicational, and medical – that place them at higher risk.
Seng Awn trains disabled women and mothers of children with cancer in needlework and handicrafts and pays them to produce items to order. She sells her products through showrooms, at fairs, and online through her social media page. She also sells internationally through a disability network in Japan.
Companions can handle significant volumes with access to a growing network of artisans.
“Last year, I received an order for more than 8,000 bags,” Seng Awn recalls. “I was concerned about our ability to fulfill it. I contacted our makers, and they agreed to help. We fulfilled the order within two months while maintaining quality. I was proud of our successful collaboration.”
In late 2024, as the business struggled amid Myanmar’s economic crisis, Seng Awn successfully applied for a social impact investment from Community Partners International partner Community Partners Myanmar (CPM).
“At that time, Companions was on the verge of stopping operations,” Seng Awn explains. “With this support, I rented a room to house the business. CPM also provided capacity building. I learned how to sell my products on social media and now have access to networks that attract more customers. I have learned who our target customers are, how to manage production costs more effectively, and gained insights into social and popular trends.”
Surviving an economic downturn requires vigilance. Seng Awn uses local and recycled materials and minimizes waste. “I always consider who will buy my products and keep them affordable,” she reveals. “I use local materials like crystals, amber, and silver coins to reflect my Kachin heritage. Often, I make jewelry using recycled materials like wool, coconut shells, and drinking straws, and don’t throw anything away. I repurpose leftover materials into other accessories, even the smallest scraps of fabric.”
At times, Seng Awn struggles to come to terms with her disability in a world that rarely meets her needs.
“When I was young, I often wondered, ‘Why do I have to be disabled?’ I felt angry and frustrated,” Seng Awn admits. “Many people with disabilities experience a disconnect between their minds and bodies. It can cause despair. I strive to stop myself from succumbing to that feeling. I focus on being resilient. This determination is why I have continued to survive. I find encouragement in what I have been able to achieve. I have learned to accept myself and focus on self-improvement.”
Experiencing discrimination also takes a toll. On one occasion, when looking for a room to rent for the business, a landlord turned Seng Awn away because she was disabled. “I felt mentally broken,” she shares. “I wondered why this kind of thinking still exists. I’m capable despite my disability and I was able to pay the rent.”
Living with a disability in a world that rarely caters to her needs, Seng Awn frequently faces mobility issues in her work and life.
“I live on the fifth floor, and it’s hard to go up and down the stairs on crutches. But I chose this building because it’s near a bus stop. I typically go out at least twice a week and carefully plan my tasks for the day. While this location is not ideal, my choices are limited. For short trips, I take trishaws and, for longer distances, rely on taxis. Although people offer help, I value my self-reliance and don’t want to depend on others.”
Despite setbacks, Seng Awn stays positive and pushes ahead.
“Now, I feel my existence has meaning, and I am here to live through my abilities,” she affirms. “Among our disabled friends, we stand together and support each other. We understand one another better than family. When we feel isolated, we find solace in the support we provide each other.”
“Discrimination exists everywhere,” Seng Awn continues. “As disabled people, we must demonstrate our abilities and desire to succeed, even if we’re not always welcomed. We can work our way to a successful life through our achievements.”
Seng Awn has advice for disabled women in Myanmar looking to start a business. “Become an expert in your field. Remember to take care of yourself, acknowledge your abilities, what you possess, and how to showcase your talents. Challenges will always come to you, but it’s important to focus on the present moment.”
Interviews have been edited for clarity, brevity, and flow.
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