Eden is an anti-trafficking, not-for-profit organisation offering women safety, hope and a bright future. We spoke with Eden's General Manager, Michelle Kerr, about the projects Eden offers and its powerful impact on women in Myanmar.
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14 April 2026
Tell us about Eden's work in Myanmar:
Based in a country devastated by continual political unrest and humanitarian crises, Eden works on the frontline rescuing women from human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Women enter through outreach teams operating in brothels and trafficking hubs and are offered a way out of traumatic circumstances. Eden's shelters and drop-in centres provide safety, medical care, trauma counselling and creative therapies. To truly break the trafficking cycle, programs extend beyond immediate care, offering vocational training through either Eden's international jewellery social enterprise or its Microgreens project.
How does the jewellery business benefit women?
Eden Australia operates as a registered non-profit, amplifying awareness and funding Eden's work in Myanmar. All donations and profits from the jewellery enterprise directly fund safe housing, healthcare and prevention. Eden jewellery, inspired and handcrafted by survivors, embodies their stories of courage and hope. Every purchase directly supports women in Eden's programs. Their workday includes counselling, therapeutic arts and education, ensuring healing without financial stress, and crafting jewellery becomes a therapeutic act of empowerment.
What is the current situation in Myanmar?
Myanmar's socio-economic decline, rising poverty and escalating political crises led Eden to introduce the Microgreens project to address growing food insecurity, which is closely linked to increased trafficking vulnerabilities. Human trafficking remains the world's second-largest criminal activity, generating more than $357 billion annually, with approximately two-thirds derived from the commercial sexual exploitation of women and girls. Eden continues to venture into the most challenging areas, illuminating darkness with hope, advocating for the voiceless and partnering with women as they transform their lives.
How does the Microgreens project work?
With 19.9 million people in Myanmar requiring aid and 15.2 million facing food insecurity, Eden developed a unique urban farming and microgreens project equipping survivors with sustainable skills and economic opportunity. Survivors are trained in urban farming and permaculture, fresh produce is processed into nutrient-dense powder, and that powder is distributed in slum areas to those most at risk of malnutrition, addressing root causes of trafficking, ill health and debt bondage.
Cherry's story:
Deceived and trafficked into brothel work, Cherry endured terrible violence before discovering Eden's drop-in centre, where she was treated with dignity for the first time. The Microgreens Project gave her safe, paid employment and community support, and with it, stability, confidence and purpose.
"My story has many dark chapters, but this one is full of light. And for the first time, I'm excited to see what comes next." Cherry, June 2025
Be Light. Bring Hope. Share Love.
LEARN MORE: www.thisiseden.org
