Enabling Sustainable Development through relationships
WHAT WE DO
Championing an entrepreneurial spirit in the developing world
Circuit International exists to help communities solve their own problems. We do this by encouraging entrepreneurship in communities in Myanmar.
We run life-changing programmes in Myanmar, enabling communities to create their own solutions for sustainable development.
Our programmes have been diverse, however as time has gone on we have found that one method in particular works without fail. Community based cooperative loans. We call these seed banks. These are not micro loans. They are full village sized banks which the community borrows from in order to plant their land. This stops communities from getting into debt to loan sharks. Loans from loan sharks can cost exorbitant interest rates and often leave families extremely vulnerable. This often leads to family members travelling abroad for work. This is the funnel which leads to human trafficking.
Grain storage. We are helping poor farmers in the Shan State of Myanmar to increase profits on their crops using innovative technology from Sweden. Find out more about our Grain Storage Programme and New Hope Seed Banks.
Where we work
Our programmes are based in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma)
After years of civil war and conflict, many families are struggling to hold their lives together. In fact, more than 200,000 people are still living in temporary camps, after being forced to flee from their homes during the war. Of those, the majority are women and children. The figure may be much higher since recent escalation in conflicts in the country.
Myanmar is one of the poorest countries in Asia with nearly 70% of the people in the rural areas, living below the poverty line. Struggling to make an income and provide for their families, many rural communities become increasingly vulnerable to debt slavery and human trafficking.
After years of working in the country, we realise that the needs are great, but we also know that the potential is even greater. From finding creative solutions to problems within their communities to running innovative ventures, we are constantly inspired by the resilience and ingenuity of the people we meet.
Our Story
Circuit as it currently exists has been established since 2015. However the actual entity that we are has been registered since 2007.
Since our inception, we have completed many successful programmes, focusing on sustainable schools, medical training and community empowerment.
How We Started
Our charity was established in NZ in 2007. From 2007-until 2015 we had staff based in Northern Thailand, working extensively in Myanmar amongst marginalised people. During this time, they started a number of programmes including community health worker training, sustainable schools supported by sustainable development projects, and various livelihood programmes to increase the income of subsistence farmers.
In 2016, our staff returned to NZ, but we saw no reason to stop the work. We rebranded as Circuit. The name and logo reflect our desire to be connected to the communities we work in, as well as mutual sharing.
Circuit is run by a small team of mostly self-funded staff in NZ. In Myanmar, Circuit helped found our partner organisation: Love Conquers All Foundation (LCA), which includes dozens of project leaders and volunteers. It is through LCA and its extensive network that our projects are done. Circuit workers in NZ support LCA from a distance as well as regular fund raising and awareness for expansion.