ABOUT
now in Singapore
WEAVED by Borneo is a joint venture brand with a social enterprise from Borneo, Malaysia known as Penan Women’s Project (PWP). Weaved by Borneo is founded in Singapore, by Stephanie Steven to further expand and support the cause for these Penan Tribe. She found this social enterprise through family members that believe in this cause and therefore, She brought WEAVED By Borneo alive to attract consumers as well as supporters in Singapore. These bags itself has been distributed across Malaysia and into some parts of Canada by volunteers. These handwoven bags out of shipping straps are not only durable, it is sustainable and fashionably on trend this year 2018 where fashion bloggers would flaunt woven bags made out of rattan. On top of that, I believe the Penan tribe deserves a better life now and in the future that we need to fight against their extinction together.
WEAVED by Borneo is an e-commerce enterprise selling handwoven bags made by these skillful Penan women, and these bags can be customizable in advance according to consumer’s preferences. WEAVE itself targets the broad wide range of any women or men from all ages to support this cause as these handbags are on trend, it can be an everyday bag, these bags do not need to be just a bag for consumers to go to the beach because of it’s durability and various designs.
Mission:
To support the Penan people of Borneo and fight against their extinction.
Vision:
To expand globally and to provide the Penan tribe a better lifestyle with future.
ABOUT
MALAYSIA
HELPING PENAN WOMEN LEAD BETTER LIVES
The Penans are one of the indigenous tribes of Borneo. They are believed to be the last nomadic hunter-gatherers in Malaysia. For thousands of years they have lived in harmony with the rainforest, the place they call their home. As hunter-gatherers, they relied heavily on the rainforest to supply their needs - from food to shelter. Many have embraced modernity now and live in resettlement communities though some still remain semi-nomadic. No matter where they are, they are learning to cope with living in the modern world. It has not been an easy task though. The Penan need to learn how to sustain themselves as well as give their children a formal education. They need to be supported in their transition as nomadic hunter-gatherers. These are among the reasons why we started a Penan Women Project (PWP). This project focuses on the women of the Penan tribe and helps them sustain themselves by earning a regular income as well as ensure the continuity of their heritage such as weaving. The Penan women are expert weavers despite having no formal education. Their patterns are intricate; the quality of their work is excellent. PWP was established to market the woven bags to the public in March 2016. The proceeds from the sale of these indigenous bags are channeled back to the Penan community and running the social enterprise. PWP buys the bags from the Penan women at fair value and helps to market them to a wider market. Besides the open market for Penan handwoven products, PWP develops and designs new products to meet the urban interest. PWP work with the Penan weavers on functionality, color coordination, and quality control. Guiding them to understand the market needs and expectation. Now they have more understanding of keeping quality and constancy for their work under PWP. When you buy a Penan handwoven bag, know that your support helps to empower the Penan women. With our project, the Penan weavers gain income and supporting their families through their weaving skills and PWP also get to give back to the Penan community with the fund collected.