Opportunities Now Entrepreneurship School (a subsidiary of Myanmar Business Answers Corp.) is partnering with Myanmar Ceramics Society and Twante pottery village, to create the Kalatha Pottery Shop in Yangon with a triple bottom line:

- Fund youth entrepreneurship program.
- Raise awareness about local eco-tourism.
- Support the Twante potters.

"Kaletha" means "Pottery" in the ancient Pyu Language spoken during the Pyu Dynasty which was the height of the pottery industry in Myanmar. During the 15th century Myanmar was sending pottery all around the world to places like Egypt (archaeological digs have shown Pyu Pottery found).

Sanctions have been lifted in Myanmar after several decades of Military Rule. This is literally the first time in decades that Myanmar has been open for international business. Myanmar has struggled over the years with sanctions from Western countries. One of the sectors that's struggled is art. While other countries have outlets for their cultural art on the international market, Myanmar's pottery market has deteriorated with the introduction of modern products that replace day to day use of pottery.

The current class of Opportunities NOW...

Opportunities NOW entrepreneurship program was launched this last year to train young people how to start businesses and provide micro-finance to launch those businesses. From this program youth have launched several businesses.

As part of our program youth intern at a local small business to get everyday experience. Over the next year several initiatives like this one will be started to employ youth in short term business experience before they launch their own small business.

Meeting with Dr. Tyn and Kiln Owners

We met Dr. Tyn and Myanmar Ceramics Society this past year when introduced by a tour operator who was trying to help Twante Village. They first approached us to help train their potters in entrepreneurship skills. We are still in the process of doing that first project with them. As we got to know Dr. Tyn and Twante Village better we fell in love with it. We began to dream of opening a pottery shop that featured Twante pottery. We talked with Dr. Tyn and he agreed it was a great idea. He as well was looking for an opportunity to connect Twante Village with tourists in Yangon as well as the international market. Thus was born the Kalatha Pottery Shop.

Custom Pottery Designed for New Shop (some designs are still to be tweaked)

Now the remaining ingredient is your backing. Back this project at and not only are you getting some beautiful pottery, you are also investing in the future of young people in Myanmar.

Click HERE to see see more pictures from the Tawante