KarenRefugee

05:00 pm: A sense of HOME and IDENTITY! A journey to the Capital of Karen State… Hpa’ ah City
A sense of HOME and IDENTITY! A journey to the Capital of Karen State… Hpa’ ah City

Hi every one! Haven't talked to you for a while... miss you very much!!

On this summer holiday, some of my friends and I made a amazing trip to Burma. Before I have been to Hpa’ ah, I thought in my heart… will I ever be at Hpa’ ah City (Karen’s Capital) in my life as I am also a child of the Karen State? I strongly felt that I must have been to our ancestor’s grave and sense home and identity!

Hopefully, by the end of March, I went to visit a friend’s house at Shwe Ko Koh village on Karen site. While I was on Karen-Thai border, I visited many places and I was very happy to see my people bravely living in the harsh conditions in their small villages. I was very proud of them! I love them very much!!

On the 13th to 15the of April, we traveled to Hpa' ah City, which is the Capital of our Karen State. Since I was born and knew myself as a human, I heard that Karen also has their own city. I was longing for reaching and seeing it very much, sometimes I dreamed of it – I dreamed that I was flying blissfully above the City of Hpa’ ah… how delightful my soul is!... but all I could do is to flee and to hide in the jungle and came into the camp. Now I was satisfied to be in our Karen’s Capital and as a nation, I felt like the journey of my life is complete. The disappointment was over!

Besides, we have also been deeper inside Burma. We have been to Mawlamyine, which is the Capital of Mon, visited Kyaikkami (you can google earth the places by typing the name of the places) and Set Se beach. Ha... ha... before, I did not believe that the water in the ocean is salty. Now I really believed it without doubt!

Along the way from Hpa’ ah to Mawlamyine, as it was the time of Water Festival, there were lots of bunches of people travelling, dancing, pouring and sprinkling water, greeting, teasing with the maximum point of merriment. I’ve never felt the most exciting journey and seen such a significant number of people like this in my life. It seemed like all the people in Burma were heading the same place that we were supposed to go. We were getting wet-dry-wet-dry all along the way. It was extremely hot that when we reached the beach, my face was turning reddish-black like it was burning on fire. When my first arrival on the beach, the first thing I was interested to do is – to taste the ocean water… Humph… REALLY! …the ocean water…really salty as I learned in my high school! I remembered my friend said… a child followed his mother to the beach, went swimming, suddenly when he swallowed a mouthful of water, he cried out…Hey Mom! Who is silly to pour the salt into the whole ocean?

We met with our Karen from other part in Burma, they spoke differently, first we did not understand each other. They introduced themselves that they are Karen, we also did introducing ourselves. We spoke slower then we could understand each other and got along well.

We spent the time sleeping in one of my friend's aunt's houses in Hpa’ ah City for two nights. We went out to eat dinner in the city. I hoped to see the beauty of Hpa’ ah City at night, but unfortunately, as it has been under the control of the dark Burmese Government, the city went dim at both nights. I could only see the city dimly under the peaceful natural light of the sweet moon…

I was earnestly pleased to take a rest in my home as I was weary in the long journey of my displacing life.

The time was short as I have to hurry up to be back on time for the unpredictable date of my Australia Cultural Orientation training. On the 15th of April, in the morning when we left Hpa' ah, there was a tear dropping in my heart saying Goodbye to Hpa' ah city and Kwe Ka Baw mountain. I felt solemnly in my mind, when will I see my lovely country again as I have to tread down my feet to the third country... (please also see the fourth paragraph of http://www.karenvoice.net/e_theFirstLongJourney_1.html)

Thank God I came back well, safe, sound and satisfied!!

After the deep dark, the dawn has come. My family already got the visa and my father, mother, youngest sister and brother already attended the training and now there are still on the training. Me, my younger sister and a younger brother will have to attend the training the next week. After we all attended the training, I am sure that the flight is shaking and the soar may take place very soon!

Without hope we can only sit paralyzed in the gloom and darkness of despair over our past failures!

Saw Nay Moo
Engineering Study Program
Temporary Mae La Karen Refugee Camp
Thai-Burma Border
Website: www.karenvoice.net

Tags: a sense of home and identity! a journey

04:06 pm: Mae Wei Hydro-power

I went to Mae Wei village to setup Hydro-power with my friend. We started on January 28th and finished February 7th. We had 7 of Engineering Study Program student to go there and worked. This project is very cool for us because we got experiences with job. We was very pleased to have the chance to setup the Hydro-power..

On the first day, we drive the car to go to the Mae Wei village. We had to drive the car 5 ours trip. At that time it was raining, so we were all got wet and cool. When we was there the rain is stop, then we go to visit to the Waterfall but some of my friend sick car so they can’t go with us. The Waterfall is very high and very nice. There is a little big far to the village. That far is about 1.5Km.

On the second day, we start to work our job. The villager also works with us so that is very funning to work together. We also work with some valentine from foreigner. We stop to work 5pm and then we play football together with the villagers. They play football
very well. We had dinner at 7 pm after that we play many game when the night time.
We have to work and play the same time every day.

I like the village because there is a very nice view and very nice environment. One of river flow in the village and in the village they also keep fish for pretty. The out side village they keep one of place for animal live. There place like the zoo but you can’t see the animal but no one can’t go to fine animal to the place. They are Thai Karen and all Christian family. They have a very good school and house but some people they didn’t have a good house. All of the villagers are about more 300 people. They are all very friendly.

We are all fun to the village to work. We also got a good experience with the job. Some
of USA high school student came to work. That is very happy to work together.
We can happy together but we can’t speck much English to tell them about my Karen situation all happen in Burma. We can share knowledge as we have and make friend.

After we finished to setup the Hydro, we take arrived one day in the village. Then I has to visit to the another village with one of my friend from Canada. We went a village and a waterfall. We can see another village but we didn’t have time to visit. There are many waterfall so very good view. I also can see the Burma side. There is also near border.

The next day on January 8 ,we have to came back to Mae La Cam. At that time we have to leave our friend from foreigner but we can contact them by email. They are all friendly for me and very good friends. When I came back in camp I gad to stay 3 day in camp and then I got a job in Mae Sot, so I have to came back to Mae Sot again. I have to work one
year in Mae Sot and then I don’t know for the next year, because we are refugee, we can’t decide to learn one subject and can’t to do only one job. We should work and learn every we have. I am always looking forward to tell your more about me as soon as I can. I hope you like to learn it.

Tha Wah.

10:17 am: Puppet in the refugee camp; in the door of heaven – a servant… “Inevitable through unpredictable”
Puppet in the refugee camp; in the door of heaven – a servant…
“Inevitable through unpredictable”

Thinking of myself day by day, it seems like I am a puppet which is played by my fate to act humorously as a model of my Karen community in the Karen refugee camp. Try to stay calm but still feel obliged to speak for my people. Sometimes my inner exceeding passion drives me to shout out loud. Having a glance at the daily work, it also seems like a servant perseveringly serving a small great thing in the door of the heaven. Today’s hesitation is inevitable, though tomorrow’s favor is unpredictable!

Many sunrises and sunsets flew reluctantly bypassing us. The heaven showered the drought in the desert of our mind, setting us to mindless anticipators. As the years passing by, the greens melancholily turn gray and shed, the sky bursts opened and gets hotter, the ground we step on cracks, the roots we eat show up, Karen is almost bared to the teeth, shaved to the skull and stripped to the marrow.

Standing on the half way on my life journey, I hear a tragic call from the jungle when I look back beyond the thorny way I grew up. I wanted to die today for the devotion of my needy people who innocently are still under the cruel oppression and unreasonable displacement that I already experienced (see Karen displaced people sorrow video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zaidqwq9Y0 ). Sometimes the traumatic picture of my life in the past hauntingly casts a nightmare in my dream when I think about it… But all I can do is to “endure and excel”.

Looking ahead for the future to the enormous high way that I have to tread upon, there are giants of modern technology massively waiting as a trophy. As I am a fighter for opportunity and my own fate, I am obliged to overtake them by any means. The simplest thing I can do now is “adapt to be dept”.
-“In the worst situation, endure and excel; from the best progress, adapt to be adept”

While standing on my crossroad, my instinct sends me to research the current confusing situation happening to our Karen people. Thinking deeply and comparatively, these following four excellent questions summon up the solution in my opinion.

1.Why Karens have to become refugees?

One of the most likely things is that to fulfill our forefather’s prophecies. (See entry February 18th, 2007 in this blog). When I was a child I heard one of our old high rank Karen soldiers said, when I was in charge to move to another location with my fellow soldiers, all of my soldiers and I equipped and started our march to the determined place through the forest. The place was pretty far so we had to sleep in the forest for several nights. Unexpectedly, one night, after the evening meal and setting out the sentries, and when it was nearly dark, I saw a very old man appearing dimly from a far, called me, and solemnly told me…

“Hear my say; there are two beetles, a Burmese beetle and a Karen beetle. They are put to gore each other in a sieve. While they are goring, as the Burmese beetle is bigger and stronger, it clamps up the Karen beetle and marginalizes it to the edge of the sieve. Woundingly and exhaustively, the Karen beetle tries to get up on the sieve but still defeated. Arrogantly, the Burmese beetle reinforces itself and attacks the Karen beetle viciously. The Karen beetle almost throws itself outside the sieve. But there is still a branch of its leg hanging it holding the edge of the sieve that the Burmese beetle could not kick out anymore. And there will be a time that the Karen beetle will get up on the sieve and will have clamped the neck of the Burmese beetle and it will never release it until the Burmese beetle draws back to the center of the sieve.”

After telling me the story he said it was time for him to leave. Then he turned back, walked out four or five steps and disappeared, (it is believed that there is a kind of Karen fairy supernatural tribe who wear the same Karen costume living invisibly in the forest in the Karen state. They show up some time to help and warn whenever Karens are in the sad situation). I was surprised and could not sleep through that night. As I am a soldier I thought I would fight until Karen has won an independent country.

So now we can clearly see that that story came true, Karen had to get out to the edge of Burma, hanging tenaciously in refugee camps along the Thai-Burma border.

Another reason I can say without doubt that Karens were hated by the Burmese since the British came into Burma. Karens developed and become educated under the British control. The Burmese hated the British colonialists because they were defeated by the British and having lost their monarch. Karens were the backbone in supporting the British. After the British gave Burma her independence and left, Karen leader Saw Ba U Gyi went to Burmese general U Nu to proclaim that we Karens also have to rule our own land. Aggressively U Nu replied, “I won’t give the Karens an inch of this land. If you want, you must fight for it”. It was so clear that the Karens have to prepare themselves for the worst if they wish to get the best. Finally, during the 60 years of civil war, the Karens were inevitably pushed into the refugee camps.

Being a Karen I definitely feel that I love peace very much. When I went to eat Pakapau (a Thai rice dish with some vegetable and meat) at Saw To’s restaurant (a very popular restaurant in Mae La Karen refugee camp), several Burmese came in, including children, old women, young women and man. They proudly talked and teased loudly as if this restaurant is their mother’s house. The room was full of noise. I felt offensively disturbed then I got out immediately. So I could say that Karens are peace lover. But because of the political situation and globalization effect, Karens become suspicious of other and in turn are misunderstood. When the Burmese troops come to attack and destroy the village, the Karens regret losing their belongings, but peacefully abandon their village to hide-out places in the jungle. They do not want to face with this kind of unreasonable attack. Even though the Karens hide poorly and harshly in the jungle, the monsters are not still satisfied. They still add their cruelty by trying to get rid of the pitiful orphan chicken. Even the jungle is not quite a safe place. Eventually, the refugee camps along the Thai-Burma border become a temporary safe haven for the Karens.

Even though most of the Karen people have been leaving and coming into the camps, there are still some planks in the eye of the watchful oppressive regime. One of the Burmese leaders Maung Hla said, “I will make until Karens become extinct in the world. If you want to see Karen, you have to go and see them in the museum”. On the other hand, as we have been living in the refugee camp for many years, and fed by the United Nations, it is like that we have been living in the museum. If some foreigner wants to see Karen, Karens are most available in Karen refugee camps.

2.Why Karens have to live in the camp so long?

After long long years of struggling for the freedom and self-government, the Karens are tired and exhausted until they find no place to take a rest as stable as a rock. So before the RIP (Rest In Peace) which everyone has to take when they are at the end of their breath, God prepares a temporary place for our Karen people to receive RIC which means Rest In Camp. If the camp exists only in a few years, the Karen might not be relaxed enough to rise up and survive the odds again.

Another reason might be, we are sharpening the saw. If you look at the book titled “The seven habits of highly effective teen/people”, you will be convinced that sharpening the saw is very important for one’s struggle. If you blunt your saw, how hard you may work, you can not cut the big tree down easily. Referring to the entry February 18th, 2007 of this blog, we have to sharpen our saw to escape from the spells of boa. So education is the sharpest saw we have to pierce through everything. As a metonymic saying said, “The pen is mightier than the sword”. Studying education for just a few years won’t give us good enough knowledge at all.

And because the current leadership of the Karen people doesn’t have specific plan and wise decision to lead us straightly to our own political destiny, most of the Karen refugees have to live longer in the camps.

3.Why Karens have to go to third countries or take resettlement?

Regarding to the blog entry February 18th, 2007 the Karens with no doubt are fulfilling their forefather’s prophecy in going to the third countries. “The eagle will come and seize up the corners of the mat to carry and drop it to the ocean or giant’s lands”.

One of the popular animal fables worth taking an example described...

“There is an owl who becomes a god to its fellow creatures. Because the owl can see in the dark and can answer questions with a few phrases, the other animals decide it is the wisest creature in the world. They follow in the owl’s foots steps and mimic its every action. When it bumps in to a tree, they do the same.
And when it staggers down the middle of the high way, they follow the owl’s lead. They do not realize that their idol can not see during the day time. Because the owl fails to see a truck that is approaching, it marches straight ahead and the other animals follow behind it, thinking that it is very brave, and that it will protect them from harm.

Naturally, the owl is no help to them when they are in the path of a fast-moving truck. The truck proves beyond question that the owl is not a god. But this lesson comes too late. The foolish animals are all killed by the truck. They follow their leader without question.”
-“When there is no vision, the people perish. Proverbs 29:18”.

Willing to avoid the conflict again, another reason might be, Karens choose the alternative ways to find peace, freedom and self-determination in different lands. They don’t want be dominated by the mean and selfish government of Burma anymore. Full of vision, to keep their new generation alive and more educated, and to be citizen anywhere in the world, in order to get equal human right, the Karens determine bravely to resettle to a safer place, - “The lean liberty is better than the fat slavery”.

And some people might complain that living in the camp is like the pigs living in their sty, so to experience real beautiful life as a human who has to work and possess needs and wants, many Karen already left and resettled to the third countries.
Hey, not so bad! Some of my overseas friends say, “Have to work hard but already bought a car”. I do not neither work hard here in the camp nor even have a penny in my pocket. Ha… Ha…!

4.Will Karens come back again to their homeland?

Absolutely, the answer is YES. As a scripture says, “Where your possessions are, you heart is there”. So here I am saying that, “The place of birth your homeland, really you will never forget”. All Karens love their homeland but now because of the unstable political situation, they inevitably have to leave their homeland. But after dispersing widely like the hair roots spreading under the ground to support the trunk standing firmly and absorbing good enough nutrients, there will be a day that the Karens will certainly come back to their homeland and rebuild their country as the Israel who were once had been displaced to many countries and finally came back and rebuilt their capital Jerusalem. This determination might unpredictably come true….

“Though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great. Job 8:7”

Saw Nay Moo Doh Taw
Engineering Study Program
Temporary Mae La Karen Refugee Camp
Thai-Burma Border
www.karenvoice.net



Tags: “Inevitable through unpredictable”

03:37 pm: Happy Karen New Year in Mae La Karen Refugee Camp – 2747 Anniversary
Happy Karen New Year in Mae La Karen Refugee Camp – 2747 Anniversary

May our 2747 Karen New Year bring great peace, prosperity, unity and effort to all our Karen people as well as everyone in the world!

Hopefully, I thought I would go to some different places to celebrate the Karen New Year which fell on the last 8th January with different friends and environments.

Since the new calendars with our Karen calendar were not available, I did not know when our Karen New Year is. I got one from a friend around the end of December and I looked at on the calendar, the date of our Karen New Year is the 8th of January. I was motivated to find ways possible take me to the distance. The time drew near and near but it seemed like the weather did not sympathetically care about my plan. I tried to set up the ways but all of the ways were impossible. So I remained calm and decided to go nowhere. I had to be satisfied with my enthusiasm.

Unfortunately, on the 2nd of January, we unhappily heard that the beloved sister of His Majesty already took a rest in peace so it was the great mourning for the residents of Thailand. As we are also the residents in Thailand, we kept mourning together in respect with our host country. So on the Karen New Year day, there were no ceremonies and celebrations held in Pu Ko Plaw (Mae La football field). But in the evening, there were final football, volleyball, and caneball (takrowt) matches vying for the first awards.

I reluctantly thought I would just stay home and play with my computer because I am voluntarily busy working to developing my newborn website. But unexpectedly, one of the beautiful girls kindly invited me to go and cheer her at her final volleyball match. Oh, how sweet the sound is to cheer her! The exciting promptness drove my decisive heart to leave my reluctance away then I headed to the crowded field blissfully. When I was there, there were already a lot of excited and cheery spectators taking their places around the field. Soon, the games started but the crowds were still coming. The loud cheering soared in the sky when the ball rolled near the goals. I look at the football match for a while and then turned to volleyball which I was specially invited to cheer and pay attention at. As I am short, I saw nothing. I just could see the backs, the heads and the floating ball.

I tried to clear up the direction between her and me but my sight was blocked. The space was dusty and noisy; I could not pay attention on the game much, for I could hardly breathe. It happened once that we could see each other well for a moment, I showed up my cheering face to her and she replied me with her lovely and touching smile that I could never forget in my memory. Then I turned home with her sweet smile in my sight…

However, all of the Karens seemed always happy to see and greet each other when we were on our New Year. Considerably, as we were a blessed people to survive the world changes and came up to be alive to the year 2747, and as the life of our Karen people increases year by year, shall the Karen still have to suffer the persisted persecution? Or what do we live for...?

"Do not add years to your life, but add life to your years"

Saw Nay Moo Doh Taw
Engineering Study Program
Temporary Mea La Karen Refugee Camp
Thai-Burma Border
www.karenvoice.net








Tags: happy karen new year in mae la karen ref

02:26 pm: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Merry Christmas and a Joyous and a Prosperous New Year

Hello Everyone,

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year to you all. May the Christmas and New Year bring you wise and abudant happiness, blessing, peace and prosperity.
The time of desperation, the time of loneliness, the time of excitement and the time of tiredness passed and faded away beyond the past. The present gives preparation for tomorrow and tomorrow is brighter and brighter.
As I said before I wished to be in a new world before New Year but now I realized that every trifle of time is in God’s hand and He arranges every single thing for me in every possible source and every possible opportunity.
By the end of November, I’ve got a gratis web space kindly donated by Day, Azimuth Internet. So I took care creating the web pages. At first, I understood nothing about building a website. So my friend Andrew came to help me and taught me the basics about that and I continued work on it as the same time I learn it by working. It took effort to build up a website at the first time and it was tricky because I did not understand much about HTML. As I was triumphant and curious I tried and worked as hard as I am so now I could manage it well. The website that I work on is about our Karen voice. Our Karen used to be silent since our forefather times until now so if my thought was not wrong it is wise to give voice rather than to stay calm. I work together with my father. My father works on writing and researching the information of our Karen people and I work on computer part. I hope this website is useful and informative to those who are interested and want to know and read our Karen people. Now the information is not quite perfect but we will continue to update it timely. The name of the website is www.karenvoice.net.

Throughout the month of December, I just kept my mind on designing the webpage so I didn’t have time to spend with my family so much. But I always stay with my family so I think I do not need to worry about family life. My family and my eldest sister’s husband’s family celebrated the Christmas on the 23rd night in a comfortable spot under a very green tree between our two houses. My mother, sisters and brothers did cooking the food which is frying Ma Mah (instant noodle) and they also mixed the coffee-milk for our two families. My eldest sister’s mother-in-law cooked the sticky rice with frying chicken. I cook very good but at this time I didn’t have time to participate in cooking with my family. At night when the engine started, we had a service then enjoyed the good food together. Then one of my younger brothers and I took a walk to Baw Naw church, looked around there for a while and came back home at midnight.

We ESP and LMC also celebrated the Christmas together on the 21st. we joined breakfast together and started the final matches of volleyball, badminton, and cane-ball that were already competed up to semi-final before the 21st. after the matches we were given the prizes then and we were on our way.

Saw Nay Moo Doh Taw
Engineering Study Program
Mae La Temporary Karen Refugee Camp
Thai-Burma Border



Tags: merry christmas and a happy new year

12:37 pm: Karen village in the past
We lived a simple life. It was a good life. We worked hard together. Everybody helped each other we grew rice and build houses together. We celebrated New Year, weddings, and funerals together. Everybody brought food to share at the celebration.

We ate rice that we grew. We ate vegetables from our gardens. We ate meat because we raised animals like chickens, pigs, and ducks. We also caught fish in the streams. We also collected fresh vegetables from the forest. Everybody was healthy because we ate good food.

We didn’t have money, but we didn’t need it. We shared everything with own neighbors. We grew cotton and women wave our clothes. Every girl learned how to weave. They made wedding clothes for themselves and for their husbands.

We didn’t have modern medicine. We used our Karen traditional medicine. Our grandparents taught us how to use plants for medicine. We grew some plants in our gardens and collected other plants in the forest. Every village had a traditional doctor to take care of people who they sick.

Today, many Karen still live in this way. They have a lot of traditional knowledge. They live a good, simple life. We should learn from them before we forget about Karen culture.

Tha Wah.

03:53 pm: The happy life in dormitory but the boring life in camp
The happy life in dormitory but the boring life in camp

I have been in dormitory five year. The dormitory name is IRC (internal relief committee). We have 96 of
student in dormitory and we are all Karen student. We have managed by Pastor Arther and clasper. They
are missionary.

We have some Christian family and some Buddies with other relation. We have divided two dormitories for the girl and the boy. We also have special one of kitchen and dinning room to eat. We have breakfasts at 8 o’clock and dinner at 5 o’clock. All food have prepare by student because we have divided six groups to work with duty. If we done our duty we must to go study room to ready sometime if they have confuse on their duty they going to get the punish.

We have different problem in Burma and came to stay in camp. Sometime we have to talk together about our problem and explain our situation. Some students are orphan and some are poor life on their bad situation. We didn’t go back to our village easily and if we go to our village we afraid for our-self because the Burmese troop and Karen National Union have control the place all the time and sometime it’s has batter so that is not good for us. We could not meet our parent easily and get information to them. Sometime for myself I have to face problem then no body can care us like our parent because I had bad feeling when we have problem. Likewise sometime, they also have problem so they will get the bad feeling like me.

What ever we can happy to living in dormitory because we are all living like brother and sister who have a big family. If we have holiday we play together and work together then sometime we did not have curry but we could eat tasty. When we did not have good curry I got bad feeling but I should happy because we didn’t need to work for food. Some of foreigner say to me you life is very easy so, that is very good for your but I said to them, ‘that is right but can you change to living with me’ because if we livig in camp we are like stupid.

Sometime I have feeling on my own and on all our Karen student who live in dormitory because we have to depend on who have mercy on our so, if no body don’t have mercy on our how we will eat and what we will do. Some people they have mercy on our and they try to do any kind for our education but they also have problem on their job. The camp situation is safe but not good for living long life. I did not want to living more in camp but I can do nothing. I was very boring in camp because if we want to study, we can study free but non-government did not recommend for us so not good for study. Likewise, we had to work hard to go to school because not good part for work especial during raining season also we do get food any time when we felled hungry because our mother could not pay money for us. Sometime if we get 1 Bath of money, we were very happy.
For myself sometime stay like beggar because if I need something I couldn’t get by my own salary. Also some of teacher said, we are the high beggar because we have to ask for you any thing you need but no body see our sit on road to ask money like beggar. Then they suggest our student don’t lazy for study and keep to study hard because we did not want your will become like us.
I did not know really, why we have a different life in this world. Sometime I have to ask to GOD, Oh GOD you are creation and YOU can do anything what you want. Why you didn’t keep our like other people especial why YOU did not give our peace. What our people have wrong on YOU? We are all human in this world. I don’t know what GOD plan for us. I believe HIM but I was very tired to pray and ask HIM.

Mission from many country they came to visit to us and make us happy with them for told story, sing the song and teach the song for us. Then they show their love on their praying for us and they got very magnificent by our life and our situation. Moreover they explain for us by they own country people have prayed on us. I could happy with them and thank their for had mercy on us but we just still on trouble and have problem. Many refugee in camp they go to thirst country and got relief but some people no relief because if the Burma don’t have freedom we will have to face this troubles because we have to afraid Burmese troop all the time. if we living in camp we have to living like prison. Oh! How will we happy for our life?

Saw Tha Wah.

Tags: the happy life in dormitory but the bori

11:37 am: A journey to physical examination at Pa Wow Hospital in Mae Sot city, same time – pre-departure
A journey to physical examination at Pa Wow Hospital in Mae Sot city, as the same time – pre-departure…..
Last week Monday, the 5th of November, my family drove to Physical Examination at Pa Wow Hospital in Mae Sot city.

After we went to interview, there had been silent for a while until the second of November. On the second of November the dove of informing paper brought the excitement again. On November 5, Monday morning, we those who have to go to physical examination collected and waited the IOM transporters in front of the MOI office near No.1 high school of Mae La camp.

Many people were already there as they were dated. I thought they were only the people who applied for Australia as the same as me, of course, there were also people who applied for the United States. However I was very happy to be together with them. We waited for a moment walking around and talking about how excited the physical examination is as we waited for a long time.

Around 7.30 am, three IOM transporters showed up, the crowd drew closer to the car then names were called and people got on the car one by one. Our names were called and we got on the car too. After name calling, we three transporters departed toward Mae Sot.

Along the way under the cover of the IOM car, when we passed the camp I felt like now I have left the camp and free from the burden of being refugee life. I was full of thinking when I looked back at Mae La camp. I fell drifting in my thinking for a moment and when I woke up I realized that this was just only the pre-departure.

We were on the road for about 45 minutes then we entered Mae Sot city. We turned a lot of lefts and rights in the city then we finally arrived to a very tall-six-floor-white-building Pa Wow Hospital. We got off the car and we were told to take the seat. Australia and the States had to sit apart from each other as we were to instruct differently.

As we arrived, many people wanted to go to WC. I also wanted to go too. When I go to the WC, I saw many people already waiting for the WC like the flowers longing for the sun in the depths of winter. I turned back and waited until the WC was clear enough.

When all of the people arrived, the examination process started. We were issued the personal examination cards one each family by family. First we had to measure our height and weight (unhappy... very short!!!). Second we moved to the eye testing then BP measuring. We those who are over 15, did signing on our application paper. We were asked about our health personally and then we had to wait for the calling to wear the patient suit.

After waiting for a moment, our names were called then we went to wear the blue patient suit then we had to go into the blood and urine testing room. I was very nervous to have my blood ejected because injection is the one that I am afraid of the most.

My parents and my siblings had only one injection but when I saw the syringe and the needle, my blood sank up, I had to take two injections on both of my hands, I felt as if I was half dying. Then we went to x-ray room and came back and waited outside. It was noon time and we were shared one pack of Pa Ka Paul to us each.

The next step was, we had to meet with doctor at the sixth floor. I was excited to be on the sixth floor as I have never been to the building like this before. This was my first time I've been to such a very high building. And the most excited thing for me was we shall have to climb up with elevator. I saw people travelling by elevator on movie but now it was my real time.

Around 1 pm, the process restarted, names were called, family by family went into the building, climbed up to the sixth floor, after meeting with doctor, and they came out with giggle and some people- ashamed and silent. The fact was that we had to expose our body to the doctor.

The time had come to our turn; we went into the building to the entrance of elevator. A man waited for us there in the elevator. He did transporting people up and down the building. I happily got in into the elevator, when the room was full, he just pushed the button and the room shook up then became stable for a while, the number on the top panel counted 1.2.3 up to 6, the room shook up again, the door opened and we went out, it seemed like I went out at the same place I entered. Hum... that was that!! We turned a corner and I saw people already waited in front of the doctor’s rooms. Looking out through the window, the distant view and the plan view of the city attracted my eyes, I wanted to stay there for more than just I expected. When I looked down the foot of the building I was very nervous. Wow… that was scary!!
We were told to sit and wait in range on the bench outside the room. I didn’t have enough time to spend viewing the scenes. People went into the room with excited face and came out with giggle and calm face.

Our turn had come, our family entered into the room, we were asked and checked personally by the doctor. Before I came in, I thought people were kidding, but now it was my turn and it was real. The doctor said “take off your suit”, I did it. She tested me with her testing instrument all over my body. I thought that was enough. And she added “take off your underpants”, I was surprised but I did it. She looked around me for a second then she said “that’s OK, you may go out”. I went out, came down to the first floor and waited my family outside the building.

After the process when it was around 3.30 pm we all were driven back into camp. When we arrived home we talked joking about our physical examination to our neighboring friends. I exaggerated my story and my friends did laughing aloud, after a while the night drew over. With hope we could just pass the gloom and darkness of the past and tomorrow has dawned brighter.

Saw Nay Moo Doh Taw
Engineering Study Program
Mae La Temporary Karen Refugee Camp
Thai-Burma Border





Tags: a journey to physical examination at pa, as the same time – pre-departure…..

12:27 pm: My Pretty School
My Pretty school

I am one of an engineering student from Mae La Camp. My name is saw tha wah and I was study engineering three year. My headmarster name is Saw Loh Doh. My school location is Mae La Camp, Zone B, and Section 04.

When I finished ten standart in camp, I have many chances to choise for study because we have many posten schools in camp. That school are Further study program, Engineering study program, Teacher Prearation center, Agriulture Traning course, Leadership Menagement technologe course, and Senion School. If we finish ten standards, we can study free to every school if we pass exam. Then we have examination on March so I have to choose two schools for exam. It is Engineering School and Further study program school. Aftre one mounth I got information for I have to pass exam both school. That time I was very happy for I pass this exam because this both school are my Favorate School but I can choose to study only one of Enginnering School.

I start to study my prety school on 2005 and I have 23 classmake. We have two kind of certificate. Those are certificate 1, 2 and 3 or 4. If we pass exam two year we cat get certifficate 1 and then we can get a certiffiate 2 and 3 a year by a year when we pass final exam.

We also divide step for study class. In first year, we study Mathermatic, English grammar, Automotic engineering subject, Drawing, Disel engine, Computer and workshop. This is all subject names.

In second year, we have to study Mathermatic, Thermodynemic, Apply, Computer, Drawing and Workshop class. I am very lucky when I study second year becausewe have a teacher from USA. His name is Sean. He is very cleaver to teaching on our student and very smuch because he teaches for our student not only Mathermatic but also Electronic too. That is very funing to study.

Moreover, we also have a good teacher from BGET and they are all vovlunteer. They were very nice and happy with our student and shear knowledge and teaching for our many kind of education. Usually they train our student with theory and pratical because they gave workshop traing and then they plan our students go out to check solar and hydropower and work with them to the Thai-Karen Village. Last year they have install solar design to every camp and make one of hydro power to Thai-Karen village, every time if they have project they call our student for train and get experience about the job. Last year we also have to install Bio-digester to the Thai-Karen Village. That is very big system to install also other kind like solar cooking, hydro pump, solar pump and installation system and many computer skill and they help our student some of computer for study. Especially Mr. blag he help our about system for search information what we want to learn and some computer.

After few weeks we also have Karen teacher form Bangkok university, that university name is (Assumption University of Thailand) he came to teach for our about AutoCAD skill and ketchup skill on his holiday. That time we also have holiday so we have complete time to study and we can study that easy because we were all interesting to study it.

That why I want to say my Engineering school name to my pretty School because I have many education and experience with my pretty school so I can say my life have to pretty with this school. Especially I want to say my headmaster.

I am also very happy to have chance to write this blog but I was very sad for myself because I got this chance along time to write blog but I never write it. Now I will try to write as soon as I can.
Thank you for who read my essay.

Than wash.

02:37 pm: Hello everyone,


My name is SAW THA WAH. I'm 21 years old. I have 7 brothers and one sister. I'm the second son. I live in Tee Poe Than village, which is located in the South-East of Kaw Ka Reit township in Karen state, Burma. My parent’s name are Saw Min La and Naw Chit Nay, and they are farmers.

My father is a Karen and my mother is a Shan. They remained in the village and now they are old. When I was young, the situation in my village was very bad, because of the civil wars. When the battle happened in our area, we had to leave our home, moving from village to village and hiding in safe places.

I went to school up to three standards in my village and then my parents sent me to study in Kaw Ka Reit province. I studied there in school time and came back home on some holidays. When I came back home I tried to help my parents in any necessary job.

If the situation became bad alongside our village I could not come back to my village. In some year if the situation was extremely bad I had to study one standard for two years. Even though the situation was not stable I tried to go to school until 9 standards. I wanted to continue my school but my parents didn't have enough money to support me to go to school any more. I also didn't have any relatives in Kaw Ka Reit to stay with.

I was very unhappy for not having a chance to go to school. I loved studying very much. When I was in school my teachers always encouraged me to study hard so that I will have education to support myself in my life as well as my family. I also would like to become a great teacher but when I left school I lost almost all my hope because I didn't think that I would have a chance to go to school again. I had to stay with my parents and help them do farming.

I came back and stayed in my village for a couple of months and I got a job to teach in my village. I also helped my parents in cultivating paddy field and growing the plants. I was also a teacher in my village but I was not happy of being a teacher because the SPDC troops always came into my village to check and ask many unanswerable questions.

The battles always happened around my village between Karen soldiers and Burmese soldiers. I could not stay to teach in my village any more. We didn't have the time to spend with our family happily. We just had to worry day to day. Because of many problems my parents didn't want us to stay together with them.

My family is a big family, and most of my siblings are boys. This was troublesome for my parents, if Burmese troops saw us living together. I didn’t want to live with fear and worry so I left my village and my family, and then I came to camp with my two younger brothers and one younger sister.

I stayed in Mae La Camp for 5 years. Now I finished the second year of engineering study program and this year I study in third year. We also have a big problem in the camp because many people stated to resettle to third country like USA, Australia, UK, Norway, Canada and Sweden. Some of our good teachers and friends have left too. I am also want to continue study and make my life improve more and more.

Some of my friend in thirst country they say to me about the situation in there and they well very happy in their. I for myself hope to happy like my friend but I can not have chance so I must enjoin in camp.

Thank you everyone those who love to read my story.
Saw thawah.

11:42 am: Learning Architecture on school holiday…
Learning Architecture on school holiday…

Last two weeks we some ESP students and teachers were learning Architecture on mid-term school holiday.

We usually have the mid-term school holiday on October 15 to 29. The students and teachers were on their way taking break as they might be tired in learning and teaching. Some students went outside the camp to the nearby villages to go hunting to refresh their mind, breath fresh air in the jungle and on the high mountain. We did different things for recreation as we were meant to be. Some students attended the trainings held during holiday.
Before holiday, some of our Karen students who went to the Assumption University of Thailand in Bangkok came and visited us ESP and LMC schools. They shared with us their experiences, their studying, and they encouraged and inspired us to try hard even though we live in refugee camp, for there will be some day that our dreams come true. After the sharing, my father requested them to come and share their knowledge with us when they have time. It was a blessing that their holiday and ours were at the same time so one of them was willing to volunteer to come and share what he learns at university. He studies Architecture.

On 18th October, he arrived at our school and we started the class that day as we were ready and already waited for him enthusiastically at school. We spent the precious time learning Architecture for 8 days. It seemed like we have got a light in our head to light our feet to step on the future land. We were very happy to absorb the knowledge from the outsider.

Turning back to the resettlement process, it is now November, some of my friends who went to interview together with me now receive the informing paper to go and wait the car at MOI gate for their medical check on the dated day. They have to go to the hospital in Mae Sot. My family also has to go to medical check on the fifth of November. Now we know for sure that our application was successful. After the night, the dawn has drawn near us….

Saw Nay Moo Doh Taw
Engineering Study Program
Temporary Mae La Karen Refugee Camp
Thai-Burma Border



---------------------------------
(This is taken from the Karen University Students' Group Journal, Volume 3, November 2007)

The Promise Home

“Pa Pa, would you buy some timber to build this house?” a 18 years old Karen refugee boy prinks his father and pointed his house design plan. He is studying his first year in Engineering Study Programme in Mae La Refugee camp. “OK! Promise!” responded by the Karen father with smile. Then all students were started to laugh. They laugh, because they might think it is a joke. Of course, it is impossible to build a dreamed house as a refugee who doesn’t have privilege to live in this world. I could see the picture of hope that emerges in each of the students’ face and suddenly a tear dropped from my heart.

It was a semester brake, studying architecture in Assumption University. Me and my colleagues went to visit refugee students in Mae La camp.

We visited four vocational schools including Engineering Study Programme. After the visit, I decided to volunteer for 10 days, teaching Computer Aided Design such as AutoCAD for 2D and SketchUp for 3D drawing. I also contribute some knowledge about basic housing design technique. They learnt how to use the software at the same time they were designing a house for a family. I brought some material for model making. They had chance to learn how to make model. Finally they complete their won design drawing and model of their won house.

“What the use of this short training for them?” I was asked by a person who lives in Bangkok. Suddenly, I don’t know how to reply. Then I said, “They can use when the time need them”. I have learnt something that, the students have never complained their situation, studying in the harsh condition. Using old laptop with very low speed was never make them bore. When they draw 3D, the computer could not work properly and they were very patient to wait the slow mood. The students were very excited when they see the progress of their work. I was very glad seeing the students’ smiling face but there is only one question that I could not answer, “When they can build their won house in Karen land?”




Tags: Learning Architecture on school holiday…

01:52 am: It seems like I still have to conclude my 2007 year here in Mae La Karen Refugee camp.
It seems like I still have to conclude my 2007 year here in Mae La Karen Refugee camp.

After a long time waiting in perseverance for the application of resettlement to Australia, my family went for interview again on last two weeks Wednesday, 12th September.

At the end of August, we were informed to go for interview on 12th September, so we were all excited and happy as though we would have left tomorrow. We always talked about the application, mentioned it while we were eating and even when we went to bed. My younger brothers and sisters wanted to leave the camp as they preferred to see the developing in the city more than constantly viewing the discouraging surroundings in the camp. When the day had come, we got up and prepared ourselves then went down to the UN’s office happily along the way. It takes 30 minutes to travel to the UN’s office so my parents and my youngest sister went first and then we went after them. When we arrived at the office, we saw no one at the office. We waited for a while then a car approached, the interviewers got out, opened the office’s gate, entered into the office, and prepared their places for interview. I thought I would see many people today, but I just saw a few families coming to the office. Before the process started, we were announced that we have to answer the questions honestly and if we answered dishonestly we will be rejected, and even if we arrived in Australia, we will be brought back.

Names were called family by family. I was excited to hear the questions that we have to answer honestly. After a moment, our turn had come. My family entered the interviewing room, and we saw two people waiting for us. The interviewer was an Australian woman and a Karen translator sat beside her. She was surprised to see our big family but she kindly greeted us and welcomed us to be seated. She interviewed us one by one from my father to my youngest sister. We answered her directly in English and she was very happy to talk to us. The translator also was happy to take a rest as we did not need translating. I wondered she was very kind and talked to us happily with her face always smile. I felt as though our application would be over approved and we would have to leave tomorrow.

The process went step by step smoothly and at the end, she asked us whether we have any questions or comments. Excitedly and curiously I asked her when we have to go medical check. She smiled and simply replied me, “After the interviews, I have to go back to Bangkok UN’s office and discuss the applications. It will take two months and if your application is successful you will be informed by the next two months, you will have to go medical check at that time and wait two more months for approval. So if your application is successful, the overall process may take four or five months”. I was surprised to hear that and faint to ask more questions. The interview was over; we thanked her, greeted each other and left.

Along the way came back home, her smile was always in my sight and her words were always in my ears. Of course, I was always dreaming of a new world and wanted to be in a new world before 2008. But now it seemed like I still have to conclude my breathless 2007 year in this hell and shoulder the burden of my being Refugee life. However, human is impossible!!!
I am unhappy to see friends timely leaving one by one and leaving the untreatable loneliness to pierce the leaf of my desperate heart.

As I am interested in computer, Mr. Blake introduced me to study Ubuntu Linux operating system. He bought me a laptop and brought me Ubuntu book so that I could study it by myself. Nothing in the camp can encourage me more than my self motivation in studying Ubuntu. I have got many challenges in studying Ubuntu but I love them very much. Those challenges drive me in the sky and make me forget my unhappiness on the ground. I always have to face with challenges in my life to become a better man. While others sit down and eat, for me, I have to cook then eat. While others cook and eat, for me, I have to plant then cook and eat.

If I had to say more, this year I am busy sending friends to the departure place to leave. Like a candle lights others and consumes itself, I am a guiding holy spirit to send Mae La residents to the Promised Land and break my own heart.

Last 23rd, I went and sent one of my friends to the football ground. She has to go to California. The departure place was changed to football ground because it was too crowded to hold the process at morning market.

In the morning I got up, and stepped my feet on the way to United States with some friends. Along the way I saw people carrying the bags, heading to the place that I will go. Around the camp, there were mists on the mountains, so I could only focus my sight on the way that I walk on. When we were in the football ground, only a few people already arrived. We were looking around for a while then more people coming with their bags. Those whose friends have motorbike, their friends came and carried them on the motorbike. Those whose friends have car, they were carried on the car. Then the IOM transporting cars arrived.

The big long blue buses did not come to the amp any more. Those who are leaving now will have to go and stay at monastery in Mae Sot for three or four days because of the Cholera issue. Today not many people came to send their friends. Friends’ friends, relatives’ relatives, girl/boyfriends’ girl/boyfriends already left the camp and the departure is now becoming the common sense for the residents of Mae La camp. I felt so sorry that when it is my turn, maybe I will have to go one person in one car, nobody’s around me, and how can I keep my face to say good bye to my Mae La Karen Refugee camp.

Names were called one by one. When one car was full, it was driven forward a little bit. When every car was full and the process was over, the engines started and the three transporters reluctantly left along one another. The other people followed them and scattered at the cross roads.

Anyhow, I also hope that my dream will come true. If there is nobody to be with me when the day I leave, I believe that God will be with me from my start to my end.

Saw Nay Moo Doh Taw
Engineering Study Program
Temporary Mae La Karen Refugee Camp
Thai-Burma Border




Tags: it seems like i still have to conclude m

10:56 am: Prophetic poetries of the Karen people
Prophetic poetries of the Karen people

Every nation has their history originated in folklores, legends and myths; the Karen was not exempted. These were handed down to generation after generation in diverse styles forming the core of civilization. To name but a few are prose and verse, ode and oracle, proverbs and poetry. These were all appreciated and valued as a whole to become our heritage. It linked the present progress and destiny of a nation to the past. It also enriches arts, cultures and literatures of a nation. The Karen people lacked nothing to be considered a nation, worthy to build a nation-state of their own. The Karen spoken language preceded the written language for nearly a thousand year, so most of this precious heritage were passed down orally until last two centuries when the Karen were blessed with written language through western missionaries mostly British and American. Some Karen historians and scholars did research and compiled the lost heritage and put them to words and lines. Therefore, there is always slight variation in their presentations. One of the most remarkable heritages the Karen received is called “Htar” (Poetry). Most of the Karen people believed that their lives and destinies were shaped by “Htar” which distinguished them from other nations or races. These prophetic “Htar” presaged events decades or centuries earlier and surprisingly experienced by the Karen people in due time. There are many prophetic “Htars” to be researched and compiled. I would like to share with my fellow Karen the following Htar as well as with those who are interested. Because the “Htars” speak not for the Karen alone. The following “Htar” was compiled by one of a Karen scholar with his own variation. It was in Karen language and for your convenience it was translated into English as best as possible.

Ocean floor, the safest Haven

1.Great grandparents told us once,
Never think it can come up;
Great grandparents talked deep things,
We said they were just joking;
Their saying seemed now not fake,
It really becomes our present fate;
Running wild to every corner,
Take cradled kids and sacks on shoulders;
Kids and babes wobbling upon,
Leaving lot of pigs and fowls.

2.Great grandparents told again,
To “Yoh Kaw” my people will land;
The early birds had enough worms,
Laugh the way with lots of fun;
Daring spirit will first try,
Only tears and sobs for late guys;
About turn when the buttock warm,
To feed again on “three-stone oven”;
What must be the three-stone pod?
Restore our land which once was lost.

3.Great grandparent said, if true,
Yoh Kaw won’t be in good mood;
When Yoh Kaw is like iron pot,
Babes in cradle missed to be brought;
A day comes when “Yoh Poe” demands,
Back to the land we left behind;
If Yoh Poe command us to leave,
No excuses come to heed;
All day, all night petitions,
Yoh Poe pays no attention.

4.Great grandparents “said it more”,
Troops from the west needn’t fear;
More formidable one will come,
Form the east marching downward;
What is the army of the east?
Never able to guess a bit;
Just think how fearful if might be,
In sorrow and silence feign to sleep;
If this prophecy seems to be near,
Gird up your loin and run fast.

5.What great grandparents “spoke of true”,
Heaven explodes with sparkling white;
Lime and brimstone dance on high,
Death rings her toll everywhere;
Stinks of corpses scatter and spread,
Bring the bad smells to every height;
To be spared and to be saved,
Need best advice from the sage;
All that I can counsel you more,
Make your shelter on ocean floor.

By – Pu Mahn Thein

Note:
1.Yoh Kaw (v2) – Thailand
2.Three-stone oven (v2) – The Karen cook their food on oven made up of three convenient stones.
3.Yoh Poe (v3) – Thai
4.Said it more (v4) – including regional nations
5.spoke of true (v5) – global event


Translated by Saw Loh Doh, Headmaster of ESP, Mae La Temporary Karen Refugee Camp



Tags: prophetic poetries of the karen people

10:45 am: Nay Moo’s family went to Australia Pre-interview!
Nay Moo’s family went to Australia Pre-interview!

Last Wednesday night, I went to a nearby friend’s house to be together with one of my friend who leaves today. We six friends had a small party. We did talking, teasing, telling the jokes and laughing. We had party until 11, and then I came back and went to sleep. In the morning, in my dream I hear a woman coming up to my father (My father and I sleep in Computer House) and excitedly saying “Let’s go, let’s go”. In my dream I think where she comes and calls us to go?
When I got up, my father told me “This morning someone comes and gives us an informing piece of paper so that we have to go to the interview at the UNHCR office at 9. So be prepared, make sure everyone is ready to be at office on time”. I was stunned and my hairs sensitively rose up to the air to hear this surprising news. Of course, the woman I hear her voice in my dream is my mother who feels very excited to pass us the merry message this morning. As usual, I clean the computer room and sweep out the dirt, do some exercise and then I go to take a bath. My parents walk down with my youngest sister before us as they walk slowly. When I eat breakfast, my other siblings wait for me at the computer room. (They play Solitaire while they wait for me). When I finish my breakfast and everyone is ready, we stream down the way. I usually walk fast so my siblings have to hurry to catch up with me. Then we overtake our parents and my youngest sister alongside the way near to the UNHCR office.
When we reach the office, I see many people already come to the office and wait for the interviewers. At that time the interviewers have not arrived. I look around people but I know no one. After a moment I see a friend coming to me and ask me “you come here for the interview, right?” I reply “yes, of course!” and I ask him “And you?” he replies “As the same as you!” after a moment I see one of my old friends coming with a pleasant smile on his face, his teeth greet me from a far before he says good morning to me. He comes with his family too. So now I know more people who come for interview at the same time together as me. We are waiting for a while, and then when I look around the road I see a car approaching us. The car stops in front of the office and then the interviewers get out of the car. The office gate is opened and then many people draw near the office. We all are excited to be interviewed so that our dreams will come true. Names are called family by family. I wonder the called families enter the office for a while and they come back. In my heart I can not think “what’s wrong with them? Their faces look a little happy and a little unhappy. I am confusing about that. Them our turn has come. We enter the office; take the seats, ready to be interviewed. A young Karen man (interviewer) starts saying “Keh, Pa Ti (Keh - the start of the speech, Pa Ti - uncle), you applied to resettle to Australia, didn’t you? My father answers “yes, I did”. “You have 7 members in your family, haven’t you?” he asks and counts our members 1...2...3...4....5...6...7. My father answers him “yes, sure”. And he continues, “As you applied to resettle to Australia, you will be interviewed the next month. Be prepared for the interview! You will be informed as you are informed this morning. When you come, bring any certificates you have received and ask your children to bring any certificates they have received as well as the hospital medical paper. If you have any relatives in Australia, also bring his/her address. So now you can go back”. We stand up, say thank you and we leave.
Before we come I think today we come for interview so the next time will be medical check. After a brief interview, I realize that this is just a pre-interview.

Saw Nay Moo Doh Taw
ESP
Temporary Mae La Karen Refugee Camp
Thai-Burma Border

Tags: Nay Moo’s family went to Australia Pre-i

10:41 am: When I live in my village and Refugee camp
When I live in my village and Refugee camp

My village is located in the juggle and our life is like the wild animals because we have to move repeatedly and settle our village temporarily in the jungle. We change our village every one or two years. We build our houses with bamboos. We have many neighboring villages but there are only around ten houses in the each village because we have to separate our villages. If we live together, we do not have space to plant the rice and the paddy to eat. Besides, if we live together, when the Burmese troops come to attack and destroy us we hear nothing. We live far away from each other so that when one of the villages knows that the Burmese troops are approaching, they alarm the other villages by fleeing to another village. They collect and flee to another village again. When we all meet together, we flee together into the jungle. Before we flee, we hear the message so we have time to prepare ourselves and hide some households into nearby woods.

Since I was born and until 1993, we live peacefully in our village. At that time, I do not know and hear nothing about war. My mother tells us about her story of fleeing from Burmese military’s oppressions. However, I do not feel and understand about her saying. Before my mother comes to live in Kyaw Lo Kloe, she lives in Pyah Gaw village. Because of the Burmese troops’ activities in many ways, her family has to come and resettle to Yea Mu Plaw group, Kyaw Lo Kloe village. In 1994, I can say that the Burmese troops started attacking and destroying our villages until now. During 1997, I lived together with my family in my village so I really knew and experienced what my mother had told us by my own. When the Burmese troops came, they fired everything they saw ahead them, we had to flee fearfully among the bullets. Even if they saw the smokes and the fire from a far, they ranged down the big gun to those places. They settled their camps near our villages; therefore, we could do nothing. We had to leave our paddy fields and our households and moved to other location. Some people lived randomly around the villages.

The Burmese troops usually came around November and patrolled in our area until May. These months are the harvest and the field preparing time for the rice and the paddy. We had to face with many difficulties to collect food for the coming year. We have to work to eat for the year. We cannot waste the time. If we waste the time, we do not have anything to eat. Because of the cruel oppressions, many people in our village came into the camp. I also followed my aunt and came into the camp. However, my family remained randomly in the jungle around my village. They loved me so much. They did not want me to die early. If I lived in my village now, maybe I would die sooner.

I arrived in the camp since 1995. I lived with my aunt. When I live in the camp, I stay easier than I live in my village. We receive our rations every month in the camp. When I live in my village, I have to work nearly the whole day to survive. We have many schools in the camp. When I was in high school, I never heard about computer. I wanted to learn computer very much. I was very excited to hear people talking about computer. I passed the high school in 2003, and then I joined ESP (Engineering Study Program). We had one or two second hand computer in ESP school but we could not use them because of the insufficient electrical power. In 2004, we had computer class on weekend taught by one of my friend in our school. On weekend when we learned, I understood a little bit because I practiced for a moment and we had to share computers with many other friends. So when I came back home I forgot them all. Later, we received more computers from other organizations so I could learn more. In 2005, Mr. Frank Jackson came to our school and discussed about to open computer course for ESP students. When I heard about this, I felt very happy and excited because I expected it for a long time. In 2006, my dream came true. This course was very expensive and very good to me. However, I did not catch up all of the lessons because of my poor English. Even though my English is poor, I felt like it is good more than I cannot say. I thank God for providing me with this very good opportunity. Therefore, I could work with internet to search the information as well as to share my experience with the world. I learned many interesting things in ESP school and I will never forget my school.

Now as I live in the camp, when I think about my family, it makes me feel unhappy and lonely. I want to go back to visit them, but I cannot go back. My mother also would like to come to visit me, but there has no smooth way paved for her to come yet. Besides, I have to continue my journey. I am getting away farther and farther from my family. I have to leave the camp soon. It is very hard for me to meet my family. I want to stay with my family but the weather does not permit me to be together with my family. I have not seen my family for a long time. I miss them very much. Alternatively, shall we meet in heaven?

Saw Klit Mu Htoo
Engineering Study Program
Mae La Camp

Tags: when i live in my village and refugee ca

10:35 am: Old friends decrease, new strangers increase!!
Old friends decrease, new strangers increase!!

Now as the resettlement is taking place in our camp almost all of my closest friends and my neighboring friends would nearly have left. After three or four months when I traveled in the camp I met my friends along the way. We usually greeted each other; “Good morning, good evening, where are you going? When do you have to go to OPE, DHS interviews? When is your medical check? When will you leave? When is your turn? If you arrive there will you send me four or five dollars a month or will you find me any American, Australian, Sweden, Canadian, or Norwegian woman?” As we are friends we talked and laughed to each other happily. But now sometimes when I travel in the camp I feel like I am walking down the deaf street that some one rarely talks to me. I hardly meet my old friends and some of the people I meet on the road are strange to me, they speak Burmese and they walk on their own way. I feel like I am Alexander (the actor of “The Time Machine 2002”) who goes to another time in the same space.

However, the camp doesn’t leave the vacant places. More Karen people and other ethnics still come into the camp in different purposes. Some people may have their own Burmese ID cards; they may have their own land and home to live in Burma. But because of the political situation, for them going to the foreign country is their desire, so they come into the camp to be registered as refugees so that they can apply for resettlement (we are the helpful rocks in the middle of the river that people usually step onto them to jump to the other side). There are also some Karen refugees coming from Karen side who really have no home, no land, and no shelter because of the Burmese military’s activities. Some people may think that it is unbelievable that Karen were persecuted and displaced people since their forefather time and still become refugees and cross the border until now. There is a saying that says “if the wind does not blow, the leaves can not shake”. Some came for couples of months but they did not get their rations yet. And as I understand, Our Thailand doesn’t have the policy to accept more refugees to come into the camp. I hear another camp is prepared by the UNHCR on Karen side at Ler Paw Her. But I am not sure. If that’s sure, that place is an old temporary camp before we were collected into one big camp. My family had lived temporarily in that camp (but on Thai side) before we came into Mae La camp. Maybe that camp is for those who do not have the registration paper here in Mae La camp. I do not know when they will be relocated. I hear some people who are real refugees that did not get their rations go and proclaim themselves at the camp office but those who are not real refugees; they don’t want to go so some of them get out of the camp and stay in somewhere in Mae Sot. Of course, no one wants to live in the camp. But in unable to settle in our homeland, for health, security and children development, we have to reluctantly come into the camp. And for one’s freedom many Karen people have chosen the way to step onto the third countries.

But if we compare our situation with our forefather’s poetic prophecies, we likely have to return to our homeland and eat the fruits from our land (you will read one of our forefather’s poetic prophecy translated by my father the next couples of days!). I believe that only when the rights or all ethnic nationalities are humanly realized and fully recognized, their issues worthily promoted and timely prioritized, Burma is ready to become a genuine federal union and democratic country.

Saw Nay Moo Doh Taw
Engineering Study Program
Temporary Mae La Karen Refugee Camp
Thai-Burma Border

Tags: new strangers increase!!, old friends decrease

10:27 am: saw moo was struggling to get new fresh breathing
According to the many years went by; the message about third country never come into our camp even though we didn’t have any chances and stayed in crowded camp internally. The vision of our drowsy eyes was the most difficult thing to go abroad. For me, as we were students; we must attend the school but we didn’t have any vocation from the camp to the other. There’s just like everything we got, spread and wasted it in camp. We have to live wastefully. A few years ago, we’ve got a new and hazy dream unrepentantly. So every body opens their eyes widely and decided that, it must be the most interesting dream of third country. Since then, the exchange of our condition was flown down on each one of us. Everywhere I walked through; almost every house with their neighbor had some discussion for applying to third country.
Once time, when I was wandering; I saw some little and lovely kids were playing. One of them said “don’t forget me if you are in America. The other one reply “I will be remembering for sure”. Their sound seized my foot abruptly. I turned around and my eyebrow arc in to the question to them. They all stared at me. Then I peacefully asked “what are you talking about?” one little girl point her small finger to the other “tomorrow she is going to America”. I stroked her little head “do you really want to go?” She garbed my hand into her chest “sure! I wanted to live in city and got new friends with American kids and…. I smile to her but in my mind, even 5 or 6 years old child had bright and excellent thought.
Nowadays everyone got satisfied opportunity to setting their new life. So they step up their foot thrillingly. Everybody really laugh, so am I but the desperate heart was tied with me all the time. Because every time I must take out the heavy bag of my best friends and threw it to bus station. In this situation many people were parted with their peaceful relative. Furthermore, according to our youth hood, every planet knows what the most important thing for us. Some people couldn’t follow the same way with their long loving person. When the moving day finally arrived; hesitantly they didn’t want to step up with their weak foot on the bus but they love third country little more than their old attractive lover. Therefore, they were waving goodbye with the painful bone of their hands through the glasses of the bus panes broken-heartedly. Some endless tears were falling through the smooth pink cheek of the beautiful ladies. There weren’t any one to keep the tearful eyes dry. When I saw some people were weeping, in sorrowfully, I felt very stuffy. Like an obstructive giant was sleeping in my nose. All of my best friend since we were in primary was flew away from here. Everything they left behind was a serious missing. Can our childhood meet again?
Sometime I woke up in the morning and look around. I’ve got a decayed blanket for my pillow and put down my head quietly. I didn’t know how about my old neighbor? But the replacement of my new and proud neighbor made me extremely angry. Every time I passed through their powerful horses, in despite of joking and tried to charm them, without any greeting and talking they just cast a glance at me. I’ve persuaded them in various way but they were rolling as the wheel they were. I’ll be really crazed with my horrible neighbor. So on my pillow putting one hand on my forehead and smile. Without asking; suddenly the clear lovely thinking just poked my heart and entered it. It’s took me through the air on the higher level to get imaginary view of third country. Everything would be ok! If I leave my hopeless slum. I wanted to run with my strong foot as quick as to. Like a hungry tiger got closer and closer to me. I struggled to kick the heavy door out but the opportunity for me still lock. It’s very hard to jump back over a waited tiger and pull down my life as old as before. The day I was left my village and stayed in the jungle all the time. That’s my old history, I needn’t to renew them. “Never look back every creation said”. I didn’t want to become a friend of wild animals. So I believe someone will pick a rusty falling key beyond and unlock the door for me. At that time, people will jeer at me completely sure. Because everybody had farewell party before they were going. During my friends’ farewell; I was smile as they were happy and went bright red as they were crying. If my turn finally arrives, none of my friend and neighbor will make a fare well with me. I must carry my package on my own; no one will feel for me and quietly and respectfully get on the bus. There would be no one to wave goodbye with my light hands. I don’t need to turn my head, just sit down and take a look straightly on the road to reach Bangkok and then to my hopeful destiny.
The U.N favorable planning for to day will make some body smile. According to it, every place where the pleasure were living and active; the tragedy were always taking apart with them.
For our fellow Karen who arrived in third country, you will have various projects for your future life to help your homeless people. You’ll see lovely splendid building of developing country. It’ll make you delighted. So now you’ve already eager to improve your selves. Haven’t you? Further than our (your fellow) Karen who left behind; we were conceited for your sake and hope to be with you as quick as possible.
Humm! When my long long awaited day will take me out of here.
Anyhow u’m still living in camp and trying hare to snap the barbed-wire which around our camp and flee away to them.
Saw moo bwe
Engineering Study Program
Temporary Maela Refugee Camp
Thailand

Tags: saw moo bwe was struggling to get new fr

12:31 pm: How do I come to refugee camp?
How do I come to refugee camp?

My name is Saw Klit Mu Htoo, age 25. I was born in Karen state in Burma. I am a mountain-tribe Karen. I have five people in my family. I am the only son. I live in a village called Shyaw Lo Kloe on the mountain, in brigade five, Mu Traw District Yen Mu Plaw group. My village is located very far away from town. No cars, no trains but I am happy to live in my village. Now if you come to my village, you will really know that the situation in my village is very bad.

In 1993, one of my aunt came back from Mar Ner Plaw to visit us. When she went back, I followed her to her house. When we arrived, my aunt asked me to go to school. When I lived in my village, I never thought to go to school. In 1993, I started to go to school until now.

In 1995, there was a splitting between our Karen people. The DKBA joined the SPDC then they came back and attacked us. Therefore, we had to leave our home and we became refugee and came into Mae Ra Moe camp. I lived here for one year. And in 1996, my aunt’s sister from my village came and visited us. At that time, I was a child and I remembered and missed my parents and sisters very much. I wanted to go back home so I thought if my aunt go back I would follow her. And when she went back, I followed her. It was very far to walk from Mae Ra Moe camp to my village. When I went back to my village, I took all of my clothes with me and decided not to come again. When I arrived home I met my mother and my mother told me why do you come back here? The situation here is very serious and the ways are very dangerous. But she was happy to see me.

I lived with my family again for one year. In 1997, the Burmese troops came to our village and destroyed, burned our houses and barns, killed every people they found. When they came and tried to kill us, we had to flee into the jungle. No escape when found. Our life was like wild animals. They killed all old man and children as well as our animals when they found them. They destroyed all of our belongings in the village. I could not live here together with my family anymore. Many people had to flee to border and entered the camps. Some people love their forefather-given homeland very much so they did not move to other places. They just kept themselves hide around the village and live until now. My parents and my sisters also remained around my village in the jungle. Some people moves to Mae Yeh and Klo Pah temporary camp. Before we arrive into the camp we had to move through the shadow of death between the Burmese soldiers’ check points and landmines. We had to come with fear but finally we arrived into the camp well.

I lived in Mae Ra Moe camp for five years. Then in 2001, I came to Mae La camp and live here until now. I always had to live in jungle and camp so sometimes I felt very unhappy and oppressive. Before I die I also would like to see and live in the city and feel the world’s development. Now I apply to go to US too. And now I am waiting for my approvals. And I hope that I will really be there one day. Sometimes I remember and miss my parents and my sisters who are remaining in the difficulty in my village. I want to help them but I can do nothing. But I hope that they will be proud on me when I live in the city on behalf of them. If you see me in US, please talk to me too. Thank you.

Saw Klit Mu Htoo
Engineering Study Program
Mae La Camp





Tags: how do i come to refugee camp?

10:47 am: Friends....do you remember what you were doing when we were children? (This is Nay Moo's childhood)
Hey my beloved friends, do you remember what you were doing when you were children?

If my thought was not wrong, you and I might probably experience the same situation when we were children. Do you remember what you did/ate when you were in your homeland, when you were on the way of hide-out and when you were in Karen Refugee camps?

In 1995 there was a splitting between KNU and DKBA at Thu Mwae Ta (the end of Moie River) – brigade 7; at that time we lived in a village about 30 minutes way far from Thu Mwae Ta. We had to face with the first attack so we could not live in our village any more. We moved up the Moie River and step by step we entered many temporary camps. Then we entered Mae La camp for about 7 or 8 months and then we moved to brigade 6. We lived in Karen state in a very peaceful village called Lay Poe Ta village.

I remember when I was a child, my mother used to cook rice, fish-paste with ponded fried chili, bamboo shoot soup, and some edible green plants for a meal, we six children sat down circularly in the kitchen and enjoyed the meal that our mother prepared for us very much. When I was around 10, I was able to work and able to use machete, sling, bamboo trap and do fishing. I asked someone to make me some bamboo traps and fishing poles. I was very interested in trapping and hunting. So I asked someone about how to trap, how to do fishing, how to recognize the lines of the rats and moles in the wood and how to recognize the places that the fishes usually live. I am the second one amongst my siblings and I am also a brine winner. After school, my eldest sister helped working with my mother in house; I went into the wood and river to place the traps and fishing poles. In the morning I woke up early and went to the wood to see whether I have got anything or not. When I checked my traps and fishing poles one by one, I saw that I have got some rats, moles and fishes. I wondered and I was very happy to catch them with my newly knowledgeable practice. I brought them home and my mother took care of them and then we had a very good meal that morning. I realized that I have the talent to catch and trap the wild animals for meal. I did it every day so that we had a good meal almost every morning. My mother was very happy and loved me very much. At that time my father had to go to work for a long time. He came back home just only two or three times a month. So instead of my father, I did hunting, trapping and do fishing, and we could say that we had good meal every day. And my father loved me too. My little brothers and sisters were very happy to eat meat every day. As I was a child, I dared not to go into deep wood so I just did trapping and fishing around my house, because my house was at the edge of the village and there were wood and river nearby my house. It took just only about 15 minutes to go to river.
On weekend I went with my friend into the jungle to find the edible plants, and we also did hunting and trapping the Kwit Yen (a kind of lizard with brown and red stripes on it back and has a very fat tail, crawl very fast on the ground, lives in the hole on the ground – Kwit Yehs are very delicious and they are very expensive in some restaurants in Bangkok). The Kwit Yehs crawl very fast so I could not shoot them with my sling, some of my friends, they were very good in shooting sling so they already got Kwit Yehs while I was trying to shoot them. But I noticed that the Kwit Yehs usually tried to run into the hole when they were shot. So when I saw the Kwit Yen’s hole, I tried digging it. The hole of Kwit Yehs runs horizontally below the ground, not too deep, so I could effort to dig it. Now I thought that I could get Kwit Yehs by digging them. But they are smarter that me. They also have the exit holes. When I did digging step by step near to them, they ran out through their exit holes, I could not catch them anymore. So before I tried to dig another hole I looked around the hole to see whether there are any exit holes, but I did not see. Then I dug the hole and they ran out again though the spot like a hole that I suspected. Of course, they cover the exit holes with ground and leaves. They have many exit holes so I did not know which hole they will run out. That day I had got only two or three Kwit Yehs and some vegetable and came back home. Me friends had got many Kwit Yehs and they were very happy. I was very sad because I was not good in shooting sling.
When I came back home, I was not satisfied. I thought out ways to trap Kwit Yehs, but I just have the traps for rats and moles. I did not have to traps for Kwit Yehs. I did not know what do the traps for Kwit Yen look like and I also had never seen them. What I did know is to get Kwit Yehs and have good meal.
One day when I sat down in front of my house and thought about Kwit Yen, I saw a man (a hunter) coming back from jungle with a deer on his back, I called him and asked him “wey uncle, (wey – means a word used for calling someone, and we usually call the old man, uncle) how have I do if I want to trap Kwit Yen?
“Trapping Kwit Yen is easy, Kwit Yen has a special trap”, he answered. Surprisingly, I continued asking him many questions but he simply and kindly answered me because he is a hunter, for him Kwit Yen is not a matter. But as I am a newly growing boy, it is a big challenge to me. Finally he called me to go to his house, he gave me five Kwit Yen traps and then he taught me how to use those traps and how to trap Kwit Yehs. I was awfully happy to solve my unsatisfied problems. Now I knew the secret of Kwit Yehs and I also had the tools so I stealthily smiled in my heart. And I wanted the weekends to come quickly.
The next weekend I took up my five traps, a knife and a bag with sling and went with my friends into the jungle. When we were by the river, we picked up some pebbles for sling. And when we were in jungle we started hunting. I did not try to find Kwit Yehs rather than the Kwit Yen’s holes. I knew that even though I find them I could not shoot them. If I find them I kept track to see when they will enter the hole. Then I placed a trap exactly on the top of the hole. (Kwit Yehs do not like living in the hole during day time, they like running on the ground in sunlight as grasshopers do). After a moment it came back out of the hole. There was no way to get out of the hole except entering the trap. My trap made a capturing sound then I immediately rushed to the trap, killed the Kwit Yen by myself and put it in my bag. I tried to find the Kwit Yen’s holes and placed my traps one by one, when I finished my last trap I returned to the first and checked them one by one. I usually got two or three Kwit Yehs out of my 5 traps for a round. Kwit Yen trap is one-way-enter trap so it can catch only the Kwit Yen that is already in the hole and ready to get out of the hole. So when I find the Kwit Yehs, I try to frighten them to enter the hole so that I can trap them easily. If I see that they enter the hole I am sure that they will be in my bag because they are already in my hand. I did trapping them round by round until evening. I had got about 20 to 25 Kwit Yehs and I was very happy. I forgot to find vegetable so we just picked some vegetable while we were coming back along the way.

Now I could trap Kwit Yehs well, so I went with my friends into jungle almost ever weekend. We also did hunting and trapping wild chicken. As I went into jungle more and more I knew more edible plants and leaves from my friends so that we did not need to worry about vegetable for our meal. One of a woman said “if we all villagers knew each other, we could eat every plant and leave around our village and if Karen knew each other well, we could eat every plant and leave in our Karen state. The animals will be hungry because human eats all their foods”.
I usually went to find foods according to the season. I went to do fishing, find bamboo shoots, ferns, mushrooms and some other Karen natural vegetables (I’m sorry I can not mention them in English, if I can, you may want to try and you will enjoy coming to Karen state very much) in raining season. I usually went to trap rats, squirrels and moles in winter because they usually take action in winter. And I went to trap Kwit Yehs and wild chicken on summer. My mother did drying the meat in sunshine, she did making the vegetable and fruit pickles so that we had enough food for the whole year. I ate natural meat, fruits and vegetables so I looked healthy and strong, and I could say that when I was a child I looked like Tarzan.

The weather did not permit us to live and enjoy constantly in the same place in the world. We lived there for about a year and we had to move to explore the unknown places because of the operations of SPDC. The whole village had to move so we dared not to remain just only a family in the village. My father came back and we prepared ourselves to step onto the unknown Promised Land again. As we are a very big family, we had many supplies in our house. It was not easy to move all of our households while we were on the move. We were all children, my mother has a paralyzed hand and my father also has an impaired leg. They could not carry many loads. Everyone in the village has left but we still remained in the village. No one could help each other. Everyone had to take care of their family. My father loves reading and he has many valuable English books. He packed up his books and told us “carry these books; you have to eat these books (when I can read English I realize that these books are about English Grammar, Mathematics, Science and engineering) so that you can live forever in your future life”. We could not either read English or understand his words. I was an oldest son, and I was stronger that my little brothers. So I took care of the books, my parents and my other siblings took care of some of the household supplies. Then we hesitantly left. We thought to hide ourselves for two or three days and come back home. When we were outside the village, the others were about 45 minutes way far ahead us. Some of the men carried the loads two or three rounds so we still had friends along the way. When it was dark, we did not overtake the others so we could not sleep together with them. We had to sleep just one family in the jungle while the others were sleeping together at a far away place. We were very tired moving in the whole day. We praised God and slept peacefully. Early in the morning before dawn, someone came to us with a burden on his back and told us, “Hey, why have not you moved? The Burmese troop is near”. Then he left. My mother got up and cooked a pot of rice. We ate rice with salt and some eating oil. We prepared ourselves and moved again. As we moved, the others also moved about 40 or 45 minutes way far ahead us. This time my little sisters and brothers were very tired so my eldest sister and I had to take care of all of the loads. The time has come for us to hurry up. There are Burmese troops behind us and there are many loads in front of me. (It is like there are pharaoh’s soldiers behind Israel and the red sea, in front of them). My eldest sister and I tried to carry the loads as hard as we can, round by round, and in the evening when it was nearly dark, we reached another place. We were so tired so my mother started cooking rice and then we enjoyed the rice and salt again. We still did not overtake the others yet. I was absolutely tired. Now I was not strong anymore. I wanted to remain in the jungle alone and die, but my father did not like it. He loves us very much. He has pity upon us but he can not do anything. We praised God, he prayed for us and we exhaustedly went to sleep under the tree. We did not know where to go. We just followed the others but we always left behind the others. We did moving in the whole day for about a week and then we met together at the Thai border (if you were me, age 10, who has to carry the loads in the whole day for a week, what will you feel?)We spent the time together and took a rest there for two days. We did not know where to go yet. One of an old man suggested that “we have no way to go, so let’s cross the border and see what will happen to us?” Then we crossed the border. After 3 hours walk, we saw a concrete pavement car road beside the mountain and then we settled our camp beside the road. Day by day we moved up the road and passed each other family by family. We made tent with wild banana leaves and some other sun-proof leaves. We did not have enough water. So my mother went down to the vale to dig a hole for water. There was little water in the vale but there was so much mud. The water was not good and it smelled very bad. My mother dug a hole so that we had got some water to use it for cooking, drinking and bathing. The other families also came to take water with us in the same hole. The water smelled very bad like the shit but we had no other water better than that. No matter the smell is, if we have water, that’s enough. Everyone seemed happy to use the water that my mother dug. The days had passed, and our foods began to drop to the bottom of the bags. This time we had to eat little and cook rice with wild banana tree. We had to eat the foods wisely. Some families ran out of rice. And we had to share rice to each other. My mother was very wise in cooking food so we did not run out of rice besides we were happy to share it to others. If we still continue living like this beside the road for a week, we all would run out of food and we all would certainly die and enjoy our new perfect life in heaven. God knows our trouble. Maybe He has not yet prepared the places enough for all of us in heaven. So He sends us the bread to live for a day. The UNHCR heard about there are many Karen refugees beside the road at the border so they came and supplied us rice, fish can( it is amazing – fish can is very expensive for us when we live in our village), eating oil (expensive too), salt, canvas, water, and anti-bacteria powder. So we could now inhale a lungful of air to survive for the next second. We lived beside the road with the supplies from UN for three or four weeks. Then we were sent to another place deeper into Thailand. We stayed in that place for about a month. Finally we were prepared a certain shelter (called – Noe Poe Camp) then we all entered the camp. So we were the founder of Noe Poe camp.
We lived in Noe Poe camp for two years and we came back to Mae La camp. We are also the travelers as well as the strangers in the world. Not a joyful journey but a pretty good experienced journey. Thank God.

While we were living in Mae La Karen refugee camp (not only Karen, but including Burmese, Muslim and many other ethnics from Burma) , we were provided with rice, fish paste, chili, eating oil, yellow beans, wheat flour, and we were provided with many other necessities. Ok. That was fine! Didn’t we enjoy living in the camp? (This might probably be the Promised Land, but the bible says, the Promised Land is a land full of milk and honey, we have not tasted milk and honey yet. Maybe there is another place to continue to go….).

We don’t have special foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Foods for breakfast, lunch and diner are the same. And we Karen, we usually have four or five main foods for a meal. But in the tight situation we have only two; rice and salt. Sometimes only one, boiling rice. First we cook a pot of rice which is the main food. Then we cook the fish paste (with the pounded chili), or make chili paste with some vegetable or fish can. The paste is salty and hot so our tongue loves it very much (I like chili paste very much). And then we cook a pot of vegetable soup which helps you swallowing the delicious and tasty foods smoothly and arranging the space in your stomach orderly. So that you get enough hydration and you feel stronger. And then we cut down some greens for vegetable. If you have money you go buy the meat and cook it so that you have a very good meal. We sit down circularly in the kitchen, you will hear the spoons hitting ti..ti..ta..ta.., the sound of the running nose and the zu-an..zu-hen… sound, everyone’s lips turn to red and extend outside. After a moment you will see the foods at the bottom of the pots and every one is full for a meal.
Sometimes if we have money we buy and eat meat, fish, egg curry and Karen traditional curry like Ta Ka Pore (a kind of boiling rice with pork or chicken or vegetable – if we live in our homeland, we cook with wild animal’s dried meat), Ta Hen Pwore (a kind of curry between soup and paste with pounded chili, meat, long beans and fish paste), and other curries. Sometimes we cook bean curry instead of meat curry. Different people cook bean curry in different styles. I remember a time when I cooked foods for dinner for my family, that time I wanted to eat meat curry but my father did not have money. However there were some beans remaining. I started cooking rice, chili paste, and soup and prepared some greens for vegetable. Then I started cooking bean curry. I designed and added the spices into the bean curry as good as I can until it smelled like a beef curry. My father did cutting grass outside, when he smelled my bean curry he thought it was a beef curry so he was very hungry and came back immediately into the kitchen. When he looked at into the pot, of course it was bean curry. That evening we had a very good meal and my father said it was like eating in Saw Loh Doh’s (my father) hotel and my brothers and sisters were happy to eat the fake beef curry. Now I hear some of my friends who arrived the Promised Land say that there are full of milk, cheese, butter and meat here. We are now becoming bigger, fatter and maybe the next two or three years we will look exactly like Gawlawah. I want to be as big as Gawlawah too, and I like eating meat very much. Sometimes I think that “If I reach the yonder shore what will happen to me there?”

Saw Nay Moo Doh Taw
Engineering Study Program
Temporary Mae La Karen Refugee Camp
Thai-Burma Border

Tags: do you remember your karen food for a me, hey my beloved friends

10:42 am: How to cook Karen traditional food “Ta Ka Pore”.
How to cook Karen traditional food “Ta Ka Pore”.

Hi…. my name is Naw Esther. I study at ESP school. I am a first year student. I am eighteen years old. I live in Mae La camp Zone B, section 4, House No 697. Now I am going to explain and show you how to cook one of the most popular Karen traditional food. The name of the food is “Ta Ka Pore” which is very delicious and nutritious.
Firstly you have to chop down the pig’s rib into small pieces, about one inch in size and wash them and boil them in the pot. You can choose any meat for this curry. At the meantime, soak a handful of rice and pound it (some people stir the rice in the pan on the heat and pound it). When it becomes pounded, mix it with some water. Make small slices of bamboo shoot and pound some ginger, garlic, onion and pepper with some Tha Yaw (a yellow powder to color the curry). When the pig’s rib is boiling for about 15 or 20 minutes (depending on the heat), put the slices of bamboo shoot and the pounded stuff into the pot. Wait 5 or 6 minutes and put the mixture of the pounded rice into the pot. Then add some fish paste, salt and sweet powder (Ajinomoto) into the pot. Stir it for 4 or 5 minutes. Finally add the Naut Gaw Thin (a very good smelling leaf) and cover it. In a few minutes you will smell a very good and stunning smell. You may forget yourself for a moment. Now the Ta Ka Pore is ready to be served. It covers other foods for a meal.
Nowadays not only Karen people but the other ethnics in Burma also like the Ta Ka Pore very much, because it is very delicious and nutritious. I like eating Ta Ka Pore very much and I wish you to try too.

Naw Esther
ESP First Year
Mae La Camp

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