Sustaining Communities

JACQUELINE PEREIRA | 30 April 2026

METICULOUSLY crafted. Thoughtfully designed. Made with purpose.

At Earth Heir, more than 30 made-in-Malaysia brands come together, each rooted in tradition and shaped by heritage, brought to life via creative handicraft. The result is a mindful space, steeped in sustainability and shaped by an emphatic commitment to social impact.

Every item aligns with sustainable practices, ethical values and certified B Corp and World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO) standards. So you can be sure that each purchase contributes positively to communities, charities and NGOs. Yet this collection of objects goes beyond gifts or souvenirs, with meaning in the stories they carry.

Tiny cross-stitched earrings, encased in plated metal, holds within them artisans' refugee journeys from Syria, Afghanistan, Iran and Myanmar. This best-selling line of jewellery comes from a MADE51 initiative in partnership with UNHCR.

The late Kak Nelly (pic below), one of Earth Heir's earliest contributors, from Sarawak's Kenyah tribe, was known for her implacable resistance to change, bristling at suggestions to refine the woven clutches and bags she made from cargo strips. Today, her legacy endures in a signature Earth Heir collection bearing her name.

In Perak, after a workshop, an artisan found his way back to something he had almost set aside. What began as a return to craft has since become a modest livelihood, his ikan bilis is now selling on Shopee, reaching kitchens far beyond his village.

Elsewhere, a quietly patient grandmother sits with her yarn, crocheting endangered animals as soft toys for children. Each stitch an act of care, each sale contributing in small measure to an NGO of her choice.

Earth Heir’s award-winning social entrepreneur, Sasibai Kimis Steenland, has a story just as compelling as her work. After years studying and working in the US, UK, Ghana and Malaysia, she found her calling in Cambodia while teaching English and helping build schools. There she met women and children who were survivors of trafficking. When she began selling the silk scarves they wove to her friends, she realised that real impact required more than goodwill. It had to be a sustainable business.

From global classrooms to grassroots communities, Sasibai Kimis Steenland’s journey across continents led her to a deeper purpose in Cambodia – a turning point that would shape the vision behind Earth Heir.

Initially in 2013, when she founded Earth Heir, her aim was to support artisans and marginalised communities through sustainable livelihoods while preserving traditional craftsmanship. What started as a single brand has since evolved into a growing ecosystem connecting craft, community and conscious consumption to spearhead collective impact.

As Sasibai reflects, the aim is no longer just to build a brand, but to open doors for others. She has seen many micro-entrepreneurs create exceptional products, yet struggle with market access, pricing, packaging and branding. "I don’t see why we should continue growing just ourselves when there are so many others doing amazing work who aren’t getting the support and access they need.”

Hours can pass browsing the store, listening to the artisans’ stories. Why they create, and how each piece is shaped with passion and devotion. What’s most exciting is the sheer range of possibilities: delicate earrings woven from seeds and mengkuang, and candles crafted by Orang Asli communities. Not to mention gorgeously repurposed oyster shells transformed into decorative ornaments, and recycled plastic bag clips. Then there are songket angpow packets, and playful pouches inspired by iconic Malaysian snacks like Cap Tangan and Super Ring.

“We’ve worked to create products that are more affordable, under RM50 to as low as RM2 for younger people,” Sasibai says, allowing them to be part of the initiative. New product lines include items that are not handmade in the traditional sense, but still carry social and environmental impact. "People are also looking for simple things, like a water bottle, a pouch or a postcard."

Products that are well-designed, accessible and still give back. Around 3% of the sales proceeds goes towards environmental conservation efforts. "In 2023 and 2024 alone, this initiative has contributed to the planting of 500 trees with Animal Projects & Environmental Education (APE).

The lesson in sustainability commences the moment you step into the space shared with her husband’s social enterprise, The Sea Monkey Project, which upcycles plastic and builds recycling machines. Windows, tables and chairs are crafted from reclaimed materials, rescued from renovated homes, and even repurposed railway tracks.

Beyond its products, Earth Heir has become a space for dialogue, hosting talks, screenings and events. Since its inception, Sasibai estimates she has reached over 50,000 people globally through her advocacy on social entrepreneurship, ethical fashion and Malaysian heritage.

The numbers tell part of the story. From 2013 to 2025, Earth Heir has generated approximately RM3.9mil in income and training for artisans. What began as a network of around 500 artisans has, through its expanded partnerships, grown to support close to 3,000.

Late last year, they launched the '1 Per Cent Social Pledge', an initiative encouraging companies and government bodies to commit a portion of their procurement budgets to social enterprises, in an effort to offer greater financial stability to artisans.

Ultimately, something more intangible sustains Earth Heir's story. “It’s really a testament to everyone involved,” Sasibai clarifies. “The communities we work with, the people who buy from us. She asserts: "If the artisans didn’t make such beautiful products, if they weren’t willing to improve, and if people weren’t interested, then we wouldn’t be here.”

Collective craft that is supported and valued can move beyond survival into something far more enduring. In the quiet interplay between tradition and change, between maker and market, a different kind of future is emerging.

Championing conscious living, enabling micro-entrepreneurs and building ethical partnerships that honour people and planet together.

Earth Heir Collective
30, First Floor, Jalan Hang Kasturi, Kuala Lumpur
http://earthheir.com
www.instagram.com/earthheir