Published 25th December 2025
Meeting Porsaa
LUANG PRABANG, Laos: Nestled just shy of the main streets of Luang Prabang lies Porsaa Learning Centre & Art Gallery, a quiet yet vibrant space where traditional meets contemporary. Porsaa, led by Salyna Ting, a dedicated craftswoman and marketer, is a Lao heritage sanctuary that preserves centuries-old paper-making traditions through handmade art.We were immediately drawn to Porsaa's genuineness, not only for its environmentally sustainable technique, but also for its heartfelt mission to conserve heritage and inspire innovation. During our time in Laos, we set out to help Ting create a greater digital presence, with the goal of spreading Porsaa's message beyond Luang Prabang.
The Craft
In Laos, saa paper is more than a material; it is a way of life."After picking the fruits, they cut down the tree, leaving only 50cm for regrowth. The bark is the most valuable, but other parts are harvested and preserved. The bark is shredded and continuously cooked until it turns into white pulp.”
The pulp from the mulberry tree is used to make Saa paper, which is soft, sturdy, and surprisingly versatile. Porsaa transforms it into lanterns, stencils, string, and books, all of which are one-of-a-kind works of traditional art.
Challenges Faced by Porsaa
Despite its rich history and exceptional artistry, Porsaa faces present-day challenges.- Ting dreams of organising a lantern-making festival to highlight Luang Prabang's hidden brilliance, but lacks finance and support from local organisations.
- The organisation's presence online is limited, making it difficult to interact with international audiences and spread their narrative beyond Laos.
- Ting is really resourceful and passionate, but she lacks the technical knowledge to manage content development and social campaigns.
Helping Ting Tell Her Story
We saw that Porsaa already had what most businesses struggle to find: an authentic voice, a meaningful product, and an engaging past. Our responsibility was to assist transform that into digital material.Our goal:
“To help Ting build confidence using Canva and social media to tell the story of Saa paper, and share her creations with the world.”
We worked on generating reusable Canva templates, assisting her with product photography, and developing a posting strategy to promote frequent content production — all while keeping things simple for someone new to digital design.
Our Time in Luang Prabang: A Day-by-Day Timeline
Reflections, Impact, and Sustainability
"The process, story, and brand that Porsaa has to offer was valuable to her community and something she wanted to show the world, so the content had to show it too.”
Ting's excitement was amazing. She not only accepted the training but also experimented with layouts and designs on her own. It was clear that she was passionate about bringing Saa paper to life online, and she now had the means to do so.
During our short time with Ting, it was heartening to see her put into practice the skills and strategies we shared. Just days after our sessions, she began experimenting with visual design and content planning for the centre’s Instagram page, creating collaterals that reflected both the identity of Porsaa and the storytelling techniques we introduced. Her initiative not only demonstrated quick application of the concepts but also showed her enthusiasm to continue building the centre’s online presence in a sustainable way.
Porsaa reminded us that tradition should not be stored, but rather lived, shared, and recreated. We thought that by assisting Ting in unlocking digital tools, she would get the confidence and clarity she needed to convey her vision with those beyond Laos.
In doing so, we did more than just promote Saa paper; we also helped carry its tradition forward, handmade in Luang Prabang and now visible across the world.
Credits List:
WKWSCI Volunteer Programme
Porsaa Learning Centre and Art Gallery
Featuring
Salyna Ting
Special Thanks
WKWSCI Tech Team
Uncle Allan
Souphanouvong University
Wee Kim Wee School