Last week while we were in Burma (Myanmar), my Virtuoso travel advisor friends and I were impressed to see the liberalization and lifting of sanctions providing the right environment for start-ups and social entrepreneurship. It is a simple premise — identify a local industry with a shortage of skilled staff, establish a business, and staff it with unskilled labor who will receive on-the-job training. The enterprise develops a workforce and a provide opportunity for individuals to advance a career in that industry.
In the major financial center of Yangon, one such trend is demonstrated at the French restaurant, Shwe Sa Bwe, located near the home of Aung San Su Kyi. Above the restaurant we visited the office of her father, General Aung San, considered the Father of modern day Burma.
Located in a restored 1950’s style villa, a French national and chef, Francois Stoupan, opened Shwe Sa Bwe. Young Myanmar students are selected, instructed and coached in preparing and serving high-end dishes using industry-standard equipment — all sourced in Burma. Applicants to the free program are chosen based on need, fit, and commitment to working within Myanmar after their nine month program. We learned several graduates are working at the Shangri-La Traders Hotel, where we were staying.
Experiential, as opposed to passive, travel experiences is what awaits you at your next vacation. My affiliation with McCabe World Travel affords me access to Virtuoso tour partners and destination experts around the world to make your travel dreams a reality. Let’s talk.