Download the statement:
KWO-Statement in support Kareni youth for protest against Burmanization -Burmese version
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KWO Statement in Support of the Karenni Students’ Protest Against Burmanization
Karen Women’s Organization
Statement in Support of the Karenni Students’ Protest Against Burmanization
12th February 2019
The Karen Women’s Organization calls on the NLD Government and the Burmese military-run police to show respect both for indigenous history and for peaceful protest. We believe that before we can have true peace in our beloved land we must have mutual respect for our differences and for those things that hold us together.
The Karenni youth have taken a courageous stand against the placement of General Aung San’s statue in the Karenni capital, Loikaw. We as fellow indigenous women understand that Burmese ethnic people hold the General as a hero of their people and the father of their independence. This is not how the indigenous people of Burma view him. He was a General in the Burmese Army. The same Army that attacks civilians, uses rape as a weapon of war and burns villages. The same Army that has forced millions to flee our homeland over the past 70 years. The same Army that causes many of our people to live in poverty and in refugee camps.
We have our own heroes who we would like to see in bronze in the center of our towns. We have been prohibited from honoring them in this way. We cannot have a country that continues to hold one ethnic group above all others, only honoring their history while suppressing ours. We need to respect each other every day. The Karenni youth have shown how divisive the aggressive actions of the NLD government and military are. They are not the first to object to honoring General Aung San in ethnic areas within Burma. There was the protest against naming a bridge in honor of the General. There have been objections raised to put up statues in other areas. It is time for the Burmanization of our country to end. We have many indigenous groups who have a right to a voice and have heroes worth honoring. We want peace to move forward not provocation by those who want to hold us back or make us disappear.
We call on the police to stop interfering with violence against peaceful protest. There have been 55 youth and students arrested and charged in the past 8 months for speaking their truth. They should be granted this basic right of assembly and protest. They face the prospect of long sentences and large fines. All charges should be dropped immediately.
We call on the NLD to listen to the local voices and remove the statues of General Aung San from ethnic areas. The NLD and the Burmese Military should act in the spirit of the Panglong Agreement General Aung San entered into. It promised autonomy for ethnic people in a federal democracy. The best way to honor him today is to grant those rights to the indigenous people of Burma. It is time to recognize the strength in our diversity and the wonderful country that diversity could build if we treated each other with basic human dignity.
We want peace to move forward. These actions would be an olive branch to the indigenous people of Burma.
For more information please contact the Karen Women’s Organization at: kwocentral@gmail.com
Message from KWO on Stop Violence Against Women Day
Today is a very important day for all women all over the world. November 25th is the day when all people in the world should give their time to recognize and honor all the women who have suffered from violence and at the same time, make a commitment to stop the violence.
Please see our message:
English
Karen:
Burmese
KWO Special Education Project TOT Training
For the 2018-19-project period, KWO Special Education Project conducted TOT training in four places: Mae La and Ma Ra Moe, Bang Dong Yang, and Htam Him. Every year there are new teachers who need to be trained.
From 9 to 18 May 2018, we conducted training for participants from three camps; Mae La, Umpiem and Nu poe camp in Mae La Camp. There were 24 participants. They were field coordinators, school directors, trainers, and teachers.
From 24 May to 2 June 2018, the training took place in Mae Ra Moe. There were 18 participants.
From 4 to 12 June 2018, the training took place in Bang Dong Yang and Tham Him. For Bang Dong Yang and Htam Him, the trainers separated themselves and provided training for the school director and all teachers in two sites.
The training topics included:
- Review of Individual Education Plans
- The daily program training and (4) months per one time we put the goal of each child
- Review of children with disabilities (meaning and how to work with them)
- The management project
- The children meeting program
- The review back project activities tables
- Accounting
The trainings were provided by Naw Eh Shee, NawHsaLer Paw, Naw Stone Paw, NawHtee Moo SheendNaw Paw PlaWah.
The strengths of this training
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All of the teachers in the training were very happy, worked in the small groups together and shared their experiences on what they had done.
- The participants were interested in the training and showed this by asking questions when they did not understand.
- The teachers had improved and developed their writing teaching plan for each day, and trusted each other in their work because of the frequency of the training
- For new teachers who had the training for the first time, they were able to use this knowledge in their project activities to advance the learning of their students
- The topic was new and useful for learning about special education. The training will help the teachers to understand how the they can work better and support their students
- Beneficial for teachers to give confidence for their students.
- The training provided different ways to understand different types of children and learning styles – and how they can adapt their teaching styles to benefit each student appropriately
Early Childhood Development Education (TOT) Training
In May 2018, the KWO Early Childhood Development Education project conducted TOT for project senior staff, field coordinators, trainers, head teachers and teachers. This TOT training had not been organized since 2014.
In May we conducted this training in Mae Ra Moe camp. The training lasted 21 days starting on 7th May 2018 and finished on 2 June 2018. The people who participated the training included 34 representatives from Mae Ra Moe and 20 from Mae La Oo camps. They were senior field coordinators, head trainers, school directors, teachers, and field coordinators from Mae La Oo, CBT, Early Childhood Development Education, Project Coordinator, Early Childhood Development Education Project Assistant and Karen State Early Childhood Development Education Project Coordinator and Karen State Early Childhood Development Education Project Assistant. All of the participants were women.
This training was given by:
- Thara Mu Moo Ra Say- Field Head Teacher Trainer
- Thara Mu La Lay Paw- Head Senior Field Coordinator
- Thara Mu Kae Lai Byew-Supervision
- Thara Mu Stone Paw-Accountant
- Thara Mu Htee Moo Shee-Accountants
The training topics:
- The growth of child.
- Child Rights.
- Teacher quality.
- Two question types.
- Good teacher stories.
- Time management programs.
- Teaching programs.
- Management programs.
- Hygiene and cleaning.
- Nutrition Food.
- Smart Objectives.
- Five important questions can ask yourself when you work with your organization.
- Teaching framework has (5) elements.
- The situation of the environment.
- Child protection has (5) aspects.
- Words used in objective writing.
- Training plan.
- Child protection (or) child rights.
- Role of trainers.
- The growth of children has (4) types.
- Human needs.
- Child psychology.
- Action plan.
- Teaching program and review of the curriculum.
This training included new topics that were beneficial to the trainees attending. The participants shared that their knowledge increased and had a greater understanding of the topics introduced. Some of the trainers from Mae La Oo camps were new so they had less to share because of a lack of experience background. Another challenge was that trainings held in the daytime saw fewer participants because attendees were taking care of their families.
Uncertain Future!
From Karen Women’s Organization and Karen News
The IDPs return home with dignity and safety? “We do not dare to go back because of the landmines that are planted in the fields where we make our living. If we go back, we could lose our limbs at any moment.” Currently, the Burma Army’s operations in Mutraw District violates the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement and has recently displaced more than 2,000 villagers from their homes. These displaced villagers, feel unsafe, have received threats, concerns and repression to return to their abandoned villages. They feel there is no guarantee for their safety and security and many political problems are unresolved. The displaced Karen people in Ei Tu Hta IDP camp are now facing a massive humanitarian crisis.
Please watch this video produced by KWO and Karen News about the current crisis
KWO Supporting the Kachin Communities Worldwide Urgent Demand of the United Nations Security Council to Refer Burma to the International Criminal Court
Please click here to download the statement, English Version:
KWO Statement on Supporting the Kachin Communities Worldwide Demands to UN English Version, 2018
Please click here to download the statement, Karen Version:
KWO Statement on Supporting the Kachin Communities Worldwide Demands to UN Karen Version, 2018
SAW O MOO: Defender of Indigenous Karen Territories, the Environment and Way of Life
KWO sends our heartfelt condolences to the remaining members of Saw O Moo’s family in this very sad time after he was killed by Burma Army soldiers last month.
In his honor, we want to share his life story and achievements with our friends and colleagues all over the world. That we may learn from him and his desire to see real peace in our land.
We feel enormous gratitude to him for his work as a defender of Human Rights and Indigenous Rights, and as a protector of the environment and the Karen way of life.
Saw O Moo, you are not with us anymore but your work will be in our hearts forever. You will be always remembered as a Karen indigenous rights defender and we offer hope that your soul may rest in peace. We make a promise to you to carry on your work in defense of our lands, our identity, and our freedom.
In his honor, we want to share his life story and achievements with our friends and colleagues all over the world. That we may learn from him and his desire to see real peace in our land.
We feel enormous gratitude to him for his work as a defender of Human Rights and Indigenous Rights, and as a protector of the environment and the Karen way of life.
Saw O Moo, you are not with us anymore but your work will be in our hearts forever. You will be always remembered as a Karen indigenous rights defender and we offer hope that your soul may rest in peace. We make a promise to you to carry on your work in defense of our lands, our identity, and our freedom.
Karen Women’s Organisation
The Nightmare Returns: Karen Hopes for Peace and Stability Dashed by Burma Army’s Actions
On March 4th, the Burma Army began the largest and most coordinated deployment of troops into Karen State’s Mutraw (Hpapun) district since 2008, breaching the terms of the NCA and provoking multiple clashes with the Karen National Liberation Army’s (KNLA) 5th Brigade. Burma Army soldiers have indiscriminately targeted civilians while more than 2,400 villagers have been forced to flee their land and homes. The majority of those displaced by the Burma Army’s current operations had only recently returned to rebuild their villages, farms, and livelihoods following decades attacks by the Burma Army and displacement in the area.
The KNU and Burma Army are both signatories to the 2015 NCA, which prohibits the expansion of military infrastructure and troop reinforcements in ceasefire areas. However, since March 4th, at least eight Burma Army battalions have entered Luthaw, without the required prior agreement from the KNLA, and begun constructing a military operations road to connect their military bases. If the road is built, Indigenous Karen villagers may be permanently displaced from their homes and ancestral village territories.
KWO Celebrates 33rd Anniversary
On the occasion of KWO’s 33rd anniversary, April 5, 2018, we celebrate our successes while also looking at our challenges ahead and how to overcome them. KWO will have it’s largest celebration of the anniversary in the Taw Oo District of Karen State led by the KWO Central leadership. The celebration includes a sport competition, a concert showing Karen culture, songs, and dancing. KWO will also present information on KWO’s work, the peace process and gender equality. KWO will particularly honor KWO leaders and staff who have worked full time for 10 years, 15 years, 20 years and 25 years respectively. KWO is the strong vibrant organization we have become because of their commitment and hard work.
It is our honor to recognize Nan Paw Gay as well for her leadership and contribution to our community and to Burma. She is a member of the KWO Standing Committee and has worked in community media. Due to her talent and hard work she rose to Chief Editor of the Karen Information Center in 2008. She was also Burma News International (BNI) Executive Director.
Additionally, we honor a KWO young leader, Naw Hser Hser, a KWO Standing Committee member and Joint General Secretary of the Women’s League of Burma. Naw Hser Hser won the P’doh Mahn Sha Young Leadership Award this year which she will receive on KWO day. KWO congratulates Naw Hser Hser on her award. Naw Hser Hser is a role model for younger women in our community through her hard work for KWO, the Karen community, and the entire ethnic community in Burma.
Both these women show the strength, vision, and hard work of Karen women and inspire all of us through their work.
In addition to all these women we also want to recognize the 80 Traditional Birth Attendants who work with KWO for their incredible contribution to the health and well being of women and children in our community.
KWO will honor 151 women and 2 men today for their positive contribution the Karen community. The list of those being recognized follows:
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Women’s Champion in Social Work: Nan Paw Gay, Chief Editor of Karen Information Center and Executive Director of Burma News International
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Women with over 25 years of service: P’doh Myaing Poe, P’doh Paw Day Toe, Tharmu Shwe Paw, Thramu Baw Nyaw, P’doh Naw Dah Dah, and Naw Khin Yin
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Women with over 10 years of service: 31 women
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Women with over 15 years of service: 30 women
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Women with over 5 years of service: 5 women
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Traditional Birth Attendants: 80 people (78 women and 2 men)
