Reports

Established KnCC in January 1 2011

Karenni communities collage (KnCC)Benefits

Unity
Cooperation (vs. competition)
Understanding
Sense of Community (diversity)
Staff Benefits
Secure Fund
Increase the number of students
Decrease the cost per student
Share resources
Share library
Share staff

Karenni Leadership and Management Course (KLMC)

Funded by: Karenni Student Development Programme (KSDP)

KLMC is approaching the end of its fourth year of operation. The course has grown in popularity, with many students now selecting KLMC as their first choice when they leave High School. The Karenni camps continue to face a shortage of further education opportunities. In 2006 around 150 students graduated from Grade 10, but the number of FE places available in the camp was well below that figure. KLMC therefore agreed to raise its intake into the first year from 20 to 30 students. There are now about 46 students attending this two year course. The course is valued by the community based organizations (CBOs) as the aim is to provide the graduates with the skills needed by the community. Subjects include English, Computing, Social Studies, Maths and Leadership and Management. Towards the end of the second year the students all do a month’s internship with one of the camp organizations.
Last year saw a change in the management structure in order to enable KSU to play a larger part in monitoring and guiding the school. While KLMC’s Principal continues to focus on supervising teaching staff and academic matters, two KSU committee members: Shar Peh and Hsar Law Lar, were appointed to manage the finances and keep in regular contact with the school and the students.
In October 2006 a Coordinating Committee was set up to monitor KLMC. Members of the committee are drawn from KSU, Future Stars Boarder, KnED, KTU, Section Leaders, and teachers from Karenni Post-Ten- Art and Science(KnPT) and KLMC.
During the year KLMC organized public speaking debates and the students also participated enthusiastically in the annual inter-school games held in December 2006. KLMC provided football and volleyball teams. 5000 students from Camps 1 and 2 participated in these games.
Towards the end of the year a series of meetings were initiated to plan the future of the course. Teachers, KSU members and students have met to review the objectives and syllabus.
In October preliminary meetings have also been held to discuss increased collaboration between KLMC and the Karenni Post-Ten- Art and Science(KnPT) school. Representatives from other camp based schools and organizations concerned with education were invited to attend and it was gratifying to note how confident our students were. Their participation in the discussion was constructive and appreciated. KSU and KnED agreed to hold a further meeting to discuss this collaboration in more detail.

KSU Libraries

Funded by: KSDP, individual donors and IRC
A major innovation this year was the opening of KSU libraries in Camps 1 and 2. The purpose of these libraries is to increase the general knowledge of students and camp residents and provide additional resources to supplement the students’ course books.
Around 3000 books were shipped over from the UK by KSDP. These books came from a children’s library and they included a range of books suitable for all ages. The books were distributed to the High School, Huay Pu Keng Middle School, KLMC and the two KSU libraries.
These books were all in English and we have found that though they are lavishly illustrated High School students are only capable of reading at a pre-intermediate level. It is hoped that access to these reference and story books will improve the students’ English skills.
At the end of the year a donation from Juliet Rogers enabled the KSU and HPK libraries to purchase some books in Burmese. The students have also requested some games, music and a guitar so that the libraries can become youth centres, where young people can gather and relax.
The Camp 1 library was initially housed in the old KLMC School, but it has recently been rebuilt with funds provided by the International Rescue Committee (IRC), IRC purchased hundreds of Burmese books which were required by the community members.
Camp 1 Library, move to section 1 in 2011
Opened: 19th September, 2006
Librarian: John Paul, Assistant: Hsar Wah Kyi
Users: Students from KLMC, Karenni Post-Ten- Art and Science(KnPT), Karenni Social Development Centre (KSDC) and Karenni Teachers Training Centre (KnTTC). A few teachers and community leaders have also started to visit & borrow books
Opening Times: Monday to Friday (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Average attendance: about 30 students a day
John Paul has recently been appointed to ensure the library is run efficiently and effectively. Part of his responsibility is to encourage young people to read.
Camp 2 Library, Section 17
Opened: 2005 (built with a contribution from Damian Facciola)
Librarian: Mu Mu Lay with the help of High School Teachers
Users: parents, teachers and students
Opening Times: Monday to Friday (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Average attendance: about 20 people a day
Camp 2 have also initiated a mobile library service, delivering books to those who are disabled or unwell.

Support for vulnerable students & the disabled

Funded by: Project Support for Refugees from Burma
KSU’s Central Committee and student activists in the camps organize regular research to ascertain the needs of orphans and other vulnerable students who do not receive any support from NGOs. The Catholic Office Emergency Relief for Refugees (COERR) does provide some help to young people under 18 who do not have families in camp, but they are unable to cover all the needy students; KSU fills this gap in provision . Research conducted in July showed 400 students were in need of candles, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shoes and clothing. KSU were able to provide some basic needs to 307 Middle and High School students in Camps 1 and 2.
KSU is grateful to the kind-hearted people who provided funds to purchase the items requested by the students. This scheme does not only alleviate immediate need, but the provision of these basic items encourages students to stay at school rather than giving up and dropping out.
Following an approach from Saw Thoung Shwe, a community health worker, KSU also provided soap powder to a number of disabled people in Camp 2. Some of these people had been bed-ridden for several months and their relatives have no detergent to wash their clothes and linen properly.
The recipients of this help were aged between 5 and 65 and their problems included paralysis, polio, congenital mute, blindness, mental disorders, loss of limbs as a result of stepping on land mines and victims of trauma (as a result of being shot by the SPDC).
KSU also helped to purchase clothes, school bags and shoes for two former Burmese child soldiers (ages 15 and 17) who fled to the refugee camp and are now attending school.

Support for new arrivals

Funded by: KSDP
In June 2006 KSU appealed for help for the New Arrivals in Camp, living in Section 18 and with a donation from KSDP we were able to purchase washing powder and candles to help the people living in temporary accommodation while awaiting processing. KSDP also supplied a large quantity of clothing to these people.

Bible Reading Competition – Camp 2

Funded by: Project Support for Refugees from Burma
Saw Benny is a landmine victim who is active in the community and has a particular interest in young people. He recently approached KSU with an offer to organize Bible reading competitions. Prior to the competition Saw Benny invited interested youth from Camp 2 to meet at the church to talk about the problems they are facing and suggest ways to release anxiety. Prizes were awarded to those placed 1st to 4th in the competition.

Monthly Meetings

KSU are holding regular monthly meetings with members of the central committee, staff and the working groups in Camp 1 in order to review activities and draw up work plans. Unfortunately it is not possible to meet KSU members in Camp 2 so often because of difficulties with transportation and security checkpoints.

School Visits

Every three months the camp based Working Groups visit Middle, High and Post-10 Schools in order to tell the students about KSU activities and to keep in touch with the needs and problems of the students.

Publication Unit

Supported by: Karenni Rainbow Foundation
In March 2006 the Publication Unit of KSU were able to revive the student newsletter with the help of a member who had received some journalism training. As a result KSU have been able to publish a monthly newsletter (Karenni Student Newsletter) containing information about KSU, news and articles aimed at a student audience. This is now an 8-page publication, illustrated with photos and cartoons. In addition to circulating copies to students and CBOs within the camps, an electronic version is also produced and circulated to some NGOs, friends, supporters and members who are now resettled in third countries. The main language utilized is Burmese, with occasional articles in English. Difficulties with translation and budgetary restrictions have prevented KSU from creating an English language edition.
Although this publication is being run by the KSU it has editorial independence in order to foster accurate reporting and freedom of expression. Printing and distribution costs are covered by a grant but all members of the Publication Unit are unpaid volunteers driven by enthusiasm and compassion.
Funding has not yet been secured for 2007 and KSU is in the process of appealing to a donor for funds to enable it to continue publishing this newsletter to increase knowledge and awareness amongst students.
KSU also run a website: www.karennisu.org.

Trainings, Advocacy and Networking with other Ethnic Groups

1) Human Rights Training

KSU Secretary, Khu Shar Peh and Khu Shwe Wah, a student activist, took part in the Human Rights Education Institute for Burma (HREIB)’s Training of Trainers held in Camp 1 (Section 19) in October 2006.
After attending Human Rights training Khu Shar Peh and Khu Shwe Wah spread the knowledge they had acquired to fellow students and youth groups by cooperating with George Abel, a member of Karenni National Youth Organization as well as the Karenni Human Rights Education Group.

2) Advocacy Training

4 student activities participated in a VSO sponsored training: “Advocacy Tools for Change” held in Camp 1 (Section 19) in December 2006.

3) Representation at the UN, New York

In May 2006 KSU’s External Affairs Officer participated in the 5th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues during which he made an intervention on behalf of Karenni students.

4) Ethnic Nationalities Council

In July, 2011 KSU’s External Affairs Officer also attended a meeting of the North American branch of the Ethnic Nationalities Council of the Union of Burma. The purpose of this was ENC confrence about the situation of the ethnic people of Burma.

5) Ethnic Nationalities Youth Forum

KSU became a member of the Ethnic Nationalities Youth Forum on April, 27, 2006 during the 1st conference of the NY-Forum held in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

KSU Active Member Conducted Trainings and Workshops

Supported by: Saw Ka Hsaw Wah
Karenni Students Union Active members conducted several trainings and workshops for working groups, Students leaders and KSU member. The topics were about child rights, general human rights, and adolescent health reproductive, gender issue, peace building and participation. To empower them in order to upgrade their skills, knowledge and gain confidences. By doing these kinds of trainings and workshops, they were able to provide feed back and comments to KSU Central committee.

KSU Office

Towards the end of the year KSU moved its offices from Mae Hong Son to Nai Soi. This decision was made for financial, security and ease of access reasons. The office is manned by three full time KSU staff members.
Karenni Students Union would like to express sincere thanks to all the donors who not only fund our projects but also devote time and energy to raising awareness about the plight of the Karenni both inside Burma and in the camp.

Activities planned for 2007

• A Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) volunteer is due to join the KSU team in 2007 to help with administration and the running of KSU projects.
• Child Trafficking training will be run between February and September 2007. This project is supported by COERR.
• KSU’s annual conference and election will be held during the last week of March
• Workshops and training on several topics.
• Supporting and expanding the KSU Libraries
• Karenni Leadership and Management Course
• Supporting Vulnerable Students with the provision of basic needs
• A Youth Exchange Workshop
• Update Website
• Circulate Karenni Students Newsletter in monthly.

Problems being experienced in the Camp

1. Refusal of exit visas for education: A group of students who had obtained sponsorship to study in Canada were prevented from leaving by the Thai authorities who refused exit visas on a variety of tenuous grounds. Their departure has been postponed indefinitely and they have missed the start of the academic year. Resettlement offers have also expired. This enterprising group of students, who had pursued an education despite all the obstacles ranged against them, have now lost all hope of acquiring further education and access to the outside world. These students were our hope for the future; now they are condemned to stagnate in camp, denied the right to a proper education. Such inexplicable bureaucratic obstacles are contributing to an increasing sense of despair in the Karenni camps.
2. New arrivals: On 5th January 2007, 35 new arrivals arrived at the holding center in Site No. 1. Many of this group were children who will need to attend schools in the camp. These new arrivals testify that there is no improvement in the situation inside Karenni State – with the people suffering from a lack of food, medical treatment, schools and educational materials.
3. Drop outs: According to the Karenni Education Department 154 Middle and High School students dropped out of school during the school year. A number of reasons for this high rate have been identified:
• The families lack any income and they cannot supply their children with the basics they need to attend school
• Early marriages forced on students by their parents
• Teenage pregnancies caused by a lack of sex education
• Lack of interest in studying
• Lack of facilities and sports material in the schools
• Overcrowded schools
• Shortage of teachers
• Quality of teachers
4. Stringent restrictions in the camp: new regulations issued from Bangkok have placed greater restrictions on the refugees and curtailed the expansion and availability of education. There are already far too few educational opportunities for High School graduates and now restrictions have been placed on movement between the two Karenni camps making it even more difficult for students from Camp 2 (where there are no Further Education courses) to attend courses in Camp 1. It is essential to train people to take up positions of responsibility within the camps, and there is an urgent need to fill the skills shortage caused by resettlement. The sub-standard education available in the camp and the lack of further education facilities is extremely detrimental not only to the camp community but for the future of Karenni State. We need an educated population to create stability and self-sufficiency in the future.
On behalf of the Karenni students KSU would like to urge our donors and friends to continue to support us. Thank you very much for the sympathy and generosity you extend to our Karenni people as well as to other ethnic groups and the Burmans. We, the people of Burma, are all are suffering under the current dictatorship and state of civil war. Our ability to speak out for the Voiceless is limited by our position as refugees in Thailand. Please speak out to your friends, families and governments about our situat