“A baby in these parts can fetch as much as twenty thousand baht ($500)”

I want to start the year by again calling your attention to the situation on the border of Thailand. Friends of mine over at Rubber Knife Productions recently took some time out to do a pro bono documentary there. They chose to tell the story of Children of the Forest, a large project aimed at helping people who live in the lawless land between a war being waged in Burma and Thai immigration check points. This is where many fall victim to trafficking or worse horrors. The documentary they made is about 15 minutes long and I encourage you continue to share it after watching (click here if the video does not appear).

I’m proud we started the year by sending $730 to Children of the Forest on behalf of the Cyril Duncan Siam Children’s Foundation and strongly encourage you give and add COF to your list of deserving organizations.

So things are already on track for a very busy and special year. I’m still getting thanked by the families for the Christmas we game them and I want to continue to pass on that gratitude to you. Thank you! Our work in Bangkok with needy families will continue and we’ll be adding two more families to our list this month (making a total of eleven). More info on them and our ongoing weekend volunteering coming soon.

-Dwight

Photo credit: Brianne Hoyt-Stern

I hope you all enjoyed last week’s video and photo update. Here’s more:

There are forty-one children at Future Light Children’s Home. We spent the morning playing games and doing art activities. The kids never grew tired of running around or hanging out with their new friends from Bangkok. Had any of them truly been tired, they surely would have been enthusiastically replaced by another brother or sister. By mid afternoon the play time had been converted into a group effort to do chores. The combination of the chores and the stifling Mae Sot heat made the kids yearn to go bathe in the nearby river.

“You know before the water is blue. But today, the water bad. Very brown. The rains not come.” This observation from one of the older boys didn’t seem to disparage his younger siblings at the orphanage. They had already jumped into the river from the rocky shore of the muddy Irrawaddy, not hesitating to begin bathing and playing. I looked up at the movement across the waters, examining the boats who were loudly vacillating between Thailand and Burma. The children, like the boats, are caught in a stateless limbo because of decades of conflict in Burma and Thailand’s muddy policy on refugees and migrants.

The children get three meals of day. A basic meal made of mostly rice and the vegetables that they grow behind the house. So when evening finally came I grinned and proposed to the house dad, Goin, that we sneak away right before dinner and get ice cream for all the kids. He agreed and off we went on his motorbike speeding towards town, but stopping once for gas just outside of Mae Sot. We took off once again to hunt down a bucket sized quantity of vanilla-raspberry swirl ice cream, but the bike stopped again–this time unexpectedly. Mai pen rai–or ‘nevermind’ in Thai I thought. We will work something out I rationed. Maybe someone will offer us a ride I thought, still being hopelessly optimistic. I will just call my team back at the orphanage to pick us up.

No, no, and no answer.

A mile later, still walking alongside the busted motorbike we had almost reached a bike shop that was already closed.

If nothing else was in our favor, the fact that a shop with a tub of ice cream was still open when our taxi arrived brought relief. Goin and I walked back in through the orphanage gates two and a half hours later. Everyone had already forgotten about dinner and kids had gathered singing and dancing their hearts out before bed (see a brief video clip here). Preoccupied with their singing, they didn’t notice the ice cream, the missing bike, or the overwhelming sense of relief we felt upon returning.

That night we scooped ice cream into cones, bowls, cups, and finally bare hands as kids made their second and third rounds for the treat. I can’t recall an instance where ice cream ever tasted so good, nor where the joy it spread was so abundant.

Feels great to have had the opportunity to spend with the kids of Future Light. This week we will be donating $1000 to them on behalf of the Cyril Duncan Siam Children’s Foundation. They are currently rebuilding their house and school and could use the support. If you want more info on making a donation yourself or voluntouring at Future Light you can contact them on facebook (or by emailing futurelightkids@gmail.com).

-Dwight

“Dream Big, Work Smart, Start Local.”

(Click here if the video does not appear.)

As you can guess, we’re still recovering some from the action packed days in Mae Sot. I’ll share more about the trip and what we’re doing to help the orphanage next week. This weekend we hope to get back on schedule teaching in Bangkok’s slums and reviving our group of volunters. Enjoy your weekend whereever you are and help us share what we’ve been busy doing by forwarding the photos and videos to friends and family. Thanks.

-Dwight

“Dream big, work smart, start local.”

Our journey started from Bangkok with an overnight bus to Chiang Mai, a short flight from there to Mae Hong Song, and finally a sangthaew (think taxi meets the pickup truck) ride to Na Soi, approximately 40 kilometers away. In the calm, scenic hills of Na Soi lies the Na Soi Karenni Refugee Camp, just one of the many camps along the Thai-Burmese border. This particular camp houses around 25,000 ethnic refugees from Burma. While waiting for Moses, a Karenni refugee, to arrive to motorbike us back to our accommodation, we gaze up at a modest temple, once hit by a mortar in a raid on the camp by the SPDC. The Burmese border is a mere six kilometers away, and imagining the Burmese army coming into such a pristine place seemed unthinkable; however, in 1997, 10 people were killed in such an attack. I found myself wondering, how could the Thai government allow the SPDC to enter their country, attack on their soil, and then just leave again?

“We were called to Na Soi by a plea for help. “

We were called to Na Soi by a plea for help. Nu Nu, an elderly Karenni refugee who has been living in the camp since April 1995, has been running an orphanage since 2000. Quite simply, she has run out of money and needs supplies and food. The refugee monthly food allotments are shockingly sparse: 15 kilograms of rice, one kilogram of yellow beans, half a kilogram of salt, and one kilogram of cooking oil. All other food must be bought with their own money. Not allowed to farm, raise livestock except pigs, work, or leave the camp, Nu Nu’s prospects are thin. We entered Nu Nu’s sister’s house, also a refugee who was lucky enough to buy her way out of the camp and into a proper house surrounded by banana trees.

Some of the kids when we first arrived.

In the sparsely furnished great room sat 22 children, ages ranging from four years old to 19 years old, who promptly stood up when we entered. Without introduction, we were given seats, and immediately treated to some songs and speeches prepared by Nu Nu and the children. Their singing, in Karenni and in English, was very good, and very touching (Click here to see a video of the children singing). One song in particular brought tears to my eyes; beneath their lovely harmony was a plea for God not to forget about them. About an hour and a half walk from the camp, the children must walk in small groups of three or four, so as not to attract attention from the police at the checkpoints. If caught outside the camp, the refugees–children included– will be put into jail until a fine of 4000Baht ($120) can be paid, a huge sum for any refugee. Because of the risk involved, they only manage to leave the camp once every two to three months.

“This process is far from perfect–but it’s the only thing the children have to give them hope.”

"She dreams of a different life and wants more education to become a nurse."

This group of orphans have been with Nu Nu for about three months. The previous group has mostly been relocated. Everyone in the new group has UNHCR numbers, and are in various stages of applying for resettlement. However, even if accepted for relocation to Australia, Finland, or the USA, they must wait until they are at least 18 years old. This process is far from perfect–but it’s the only thing the children have to give them hope.

We had the chance to interview some of the children, with the help of Moses for translation. The orphans were a little shy, but one thing rang true: their desire for a better life.

Gay, a 15-year-old girl from the Karen state, is trying to go to Finland. She came to the camp when she was seven years old with her uncle. She has no memory of Burma or her journey to Thailand. All she knows about it is what she has been told. Her father is dead, and her mother stayed in Burma to look after her three younger sisters; she has no contact with her family and does not know what their status is. Gay dreams of a different life in Finland and wants more education to become a nurse.

"She wants what the camps can't offer: freedom."

Htoo is 14 years old, from the Karenni state. She has been with Nu Nu for three years. Her brother came to the camp first, but returned for her when the SPDC attacked her village five years ago. The village was burned and her father forced to become a porter. Porters are forced to carry a lot of weight; if the porter cannot carry the load, they are often beaten and sometimes killed. Porters also are forced to lead the expeditions in order to clear the mines for the soldiers. Htoo says she feels okay in the camp, but wants to go somewhere else because there are not enough facilities, such as higher education. She wants what the camps can’t offer: freedom. Chorest is 19 years old and from the Karen state. He had to flee to Thailand when he was 10 years old because the SPDC burnt his village down. In the rush of the attack, he left with other villagers, leaving his family behind. One of the few children in the orphanage that can remember his escape to Thailand, Chorest recalls walking for one month through the hills of Burma, dodging the SPDC and their guns. With no job opportunities, no freedoms, and no higher education available in the camp, he wants to go abroad and dreams of becoming a doctor. However, if he could choose, he says he would like to legally live and work in Thailand, in order to be closer to his homeland. Sadly, the chances of this happening are slim. He is currently waiting to relocate to the USA.

“Within the orphanage, the past is never discussed…”

"With no job opportunities, no freedoms, and no higher education available in the camp, he wants to go abroad and dreams of becoming a doctor."

Within the orphanage, the past is never discussed, nor, according to Nu Nu, do the children ever cry over their families or their fates. Perhaps this is because many refugees psychologically block out such traumatic experiences. Nu Nu, however, remembers everything. She still remembers vividly December 6, 1980, when the SPDC (then called SLORC), attacked her village, shooting, killing, torturing, and burning as they went. Several people were forced to be porters. She also remembers her father being killed when she was 7 years old. He was driving near their village when he was ambushed by the SLORC and brutally attacked. Almost miraculously, her mother found him and kept him alive for 2 months before he died from the wounds. Nu Nu’s husband was also killed by the SPDC. So what does Nu Nu want? She doesn’t have any illusions about getting out of the camp. But she does want a friendship between the SPDC and the people. While not necessarily supporting tourism in Burma, Nu Nu is calling for foreign investment. She believes that building factories and infrastructure is the way toward a better Burma. And she has a message for Obama too: “Make friends with Burma. Find a way to work things out.”

"Make friends with Burma. Find a way to work things out."

That night we were given wonderful hospitality. They cooked the most delicious foods for us and gave us a place to sleep for the night. I’ve seen it time and again in my travels, but it never fails to amaze me how people with so little willingly give so much for their guests. That night I also began to see Nu Nu’s remarkable love for these children, many of which, she has raised since they were little. As we packed up in the early morning for another long journey back, Nu Nu slipped us a piece of paper. On it was a list of supplies needed, such as bedding, mosquito nets, clothing, dishes, and umbrellas. We all left a small donation and sadly said our goodbyes. Being able to talk to the refugees, look into their eyes and hear their stories is an experience which will stay with me for a long time. While I may not be able right now to change policy, am I able to help make 40 children’s lives better. I hope you can too.

You can donate to Nu Nu through In Search of Sanuk. Just be sure to note that the donation is for Nu Nu. Or, if you would like to make a direct transfer, banking details can be found on the Nu Nu Project’s facebook group. For more information contact Regan Suzuki at regsuzuki@hotmail.com. Thanks for reading and remember:

“Make friends with Burma. Find a way to work things out.”

-Chris

“…economic downturn is making everyone sweat, especially the people at the bottom of the ladder.”

When: From Now Until Song Kran 2009

Why: SongKran, the Thai new year, is about showing other people relief from the heat! We just seem to forget that when half of your neighborhood is in yellow shirts and the other half is in red shirts and there’s this water fight that has spun out of control. The recent economic downturn is making everyone sweat, especially the people at the bottom of the ladder. We will collect goods and donate them to LWC who will distribute them to the over 8,000 Burmese they care for. Click here for more on the LWC

“We just seem to forget that when half of your neighborhood is in yellow shirts and the other half is in red shirts and there’s this water fight that has spun out of control.”

What: ALMOST whatever you got. Send us your used things that are still in good condition and donate toothbrushes, bags of rice, baby formula and the other things on the list that you can grab when you do your regular shopping. (Hint: The biggest needs are baby clothes, baby formula, and women’s undergarments.)

“Don’t do it alone! Sanuk is better shared.”

How: DONATE!

• Don’t do it alone! Sanuk is better shared. Network! Grab your family members, teammates, religious groups, and anyone else and collect your things for DONATION.
  
• Next, send us an email to insearchofsanuk@gmail.com titled: ‘The Heat Made Me Do It’ Tell us what you’re donating and how much you have. We will respond to make arrangements for pickup, but if you want to deliver that’s even better.
  
• Check here. We’ll report the results of all your donations.
  

Email: insearchofsanuk@gmail.com

Click here for the facebook invite ;-ว

The Story: We heard about Living Water Center (LWC) after 100 Friends got word of our work with the Bangkok Refugee Center. LWC specifically aims to meet the needs of Burmese migrants who find themselves in Bangkok.

Target: Migrant workers in Bangkok who are working in the construction industry, factories, and industries involving children.

Goal: To provide assistance for Burmese migrants physically and mentally.

Projects: Caring for migrants in every possible way (food, toiletries, counseling, listening, etc…). We should point out that a large chunk of their of the work LWC tackles includes traveling to detention centers and caring for migrants who have been detained. The new ISOS project: the Living Water Donation Drive !

Need: Financial Support & Donations in Kind (giving goods and resources)

Final Word: ISOS had an opportunity to meet the founder of this organization, the inspirational Mrs. Daw Tu Lu and her family. They persevere in reaching out to this vulnerable group despite the disparaging global economy where people’s willingness and ability to give is drying up. Do take some time to get more details from their website, send them a note to commend their work and contribute!

Website: Living Water Center