If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter. -George Washington

Displaced childhood

http://vimeo.com/33345320

                        " children often suffer the greatest in war"

Time Magazine (Dec 2011)

                                Get your copy of Time Magazine.

Indiana Fundraising (WIN)

                                                                        photo credits :TTA

The event (courtesy of humanitarian aid group -WIN) that took place December 3^rd was a big success with the help of everyone who cares for the people of Burma.

Nirvana Bazaar

Sasanamoli - The International Burmese Monks Organization (New York) was organizing Annual Nirvana Bazaar  today, December 11, 2011.  The highlight of the event was the entire contribution meant for donation.   The venerable monks were served with lunch at 11:30 am .  An individual who came to Bazzar enjoyed Burmese traditional foods and there were variety of delicious dishes from different donors.  While hanging out with friends, we can enjoy the performance as well. There will be no event like this, available favorite foods at one place in the States.  A well spent meaningful day and thanks to the organizers and volunteers who supported the Nirvana Bazzar.

One year anniversary of Release

my country is BURMA

International people might wonder why some news outlet use Burma/ Myanmar or using both names.   Even for Burmese people, using these terms make complication, as we are writing for publication, we have to use 'Myanmar', but in speaking a lot of us are using Burma.   Both are Burmese terms but the intention of adoption of Myanmar was the military government’s choice to break from the colonial past.  The ruling military junta changed its name from Burma to Myanmar in 1989 .  That was a year after thousands were killed in the suppression of a popular uprising. Rangoon also became Yangon. So the choice of words, either Burma or Myanmar indicates a particular political position basically.   And politics play a role in why some nations still use Burma, not Myanmar.   The junta, however disliked by westerners, also local opposition group, Burmese who has problems with the political implications of using the name Myanmar, still referring the country as Burma. But really it's not important. Who cares what people call the country? It's the human rights abuses that matter.   Human rights violation in Burma is the most matter that draws the international interest.  In my opinion, I am Burmese so my country is Burma.

Remarkable word

No person in any country should be detained for exercising universal freedoms of expressions, assembly and conscience . (Hillary Clinton)

Whether Democratic Refrom or Not

Burmese new civilian government has suddenly shown dramatic signs of political changes:

- Freed some political prisoners

- Loosen its grip on censorship and press media

-Called for a return of all exiles

-Begun opening the economy by privatizing state companies

-Bent to public protests by halting a major dam project on Irrawaddy River

Are those changes heading to democratic reform?   A series of measures has to be taken from time to time.

We shall know better in next year and more particularly in 2013 and 2014 whether the reforms are sustained and are having a real impact on the level of democratic freedoms in the country.  The United States and other Western countries have been following very closely whether President Thein Sein's words have been followed by actions. They are welcoming those changes with cautious optimism.  Hillary Clinton said the U.S. wants more political prisoners released, a "real" political process with elections and an end to conflicts with ethnic minorities that have displaced tens of thousands of the country's residents. The U.S. administration says it is not ending sanctions or making any abrupt changes in policy. "If Burma fails to move down the path of reform”.   Burmese government has given a great opportunity to prove what he has said to international community about country’s reform  and Burmese people are waiting to fit into free society  very anxiously.

Hope

US Secretary of State Clinton met Burmese President Thein Sein to discuss future ties. It was the first time in more than 50 years that a US-Burma meeting took place.  The atmosphere is heavy with change , this is a momentous time.    To promote the process of democratization is our hope. Do not put our hope high and drop it like......crossing my fingers!!!

Peace

Peace between countries must rest on the solid foundation of love between individuals

Indira Ghandi 

photo taken from msnbc

Petition to Clinton

Sign the Petition to Clinton By uscampaignforburma

http://uscampaignforburma.wordpress.com/2011/11/22/urgent-sign-the-petition-to-clinton/

 

Nirvana Bazaar

Hope to see you all.

Into the current

http://www.intothecurrent.org/html/video_clip/movie.html

This documentary presents Burma’s long struggle for freedom, it’s all about the political prisoner whose went through imprisonment, torture and isolation. We, all Burmese will be free when the basic freedom is granted to everyone.  Into the Current illustrates the evils of military dictatorship, historical depth, and powerful visual evidence of past and ongoing repression.  By watching Into the Current, the viewers are inspired by their commitment to transform our country into a free society.  If all political prisoners are still behind the bar,   we cannot believe that our nation is moving forward to true changes.

NLD Party Registration

NLD's decision on  re-registration as a political party, the announcement made by central committee on Nov 18th 2011.  

photo taken from Burma Today

 

Whatever help we may want from the international community now or in the future, we want to make sure that this help is tailored to help our people to help themselves.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

The Art of Establishing Humanitarian Organization in Burma

Swe Zin Htaik gave a talk about humanitarian activities that she has organized and facilitated in Burma.   She has been working effectively in health education for more than a decade.  The talk was very engaging and informative about how she has worked with local government, corporations and management teams.  In particular, she used the media to get the message out to the public base on social marketing process.  She plays a leading role in sex educating to public even though she is a non-medical person. She has continued her campaign through social and cultural constraints on sex education. She could manage to deliver the message to public on health educational issue.  A short documentary film showed how individual well spent most of their time on educating the villagers to change their perspective in some remote area.   Particularly, deploying people to do humanitarian on-the-ground inside Burma made me move.  Here are some pictures that I took from the event. 

Population in Burma

Population : approximately 50 million
Ethnic groups : Burman     68%
                       Shan          9%
                       Karen        7%
                       Chin           5%
                       Rakhine      4%
                       Chinese      3%
                       Indian         2%
                       Mon           2%
                       Other         5%

Humanitarian Talk By Swe Zin Htaik

11/12/2011 on this Saturday for an engaging and empowering presentation and discussion on establishing Humanitarian Organizations in Burma with Swe Zin Htaik. Please see the event details above.

Oxi Day Battle of Crete Award

Burmese pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi honored the Oxi Day Battle of Crete Award by the Washington Oxi Day Foundation on Oct 27 2011. The award is honoring a woman for courageous action for freedom and democracy, in memory of the role women played against the Axis Forces in the Battle of Crete in World War II.  It is a great compliment to be chosen as an award winner  for prolonged fight for democracy in Burma.  We proud of you, Aunty Suu.

Confiscation in Burma

The farmers hold the protest for confiscation of their land in front of the Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development in Rangoon  on 27 Oct.  Burmese police detained some protesters, including an attorney who campaigns for farmer’s rights.  According to the source, they were protesting peacefully but the farmers were asked to leave the area.   The police broke the protest without answering any of their requests.  This is not in accordance with the law.   Confiscating property is nothing new to Burmese people; the military government has been practicing ever since General Ne Win overthrew Burma’s democratic in 1962’s military coup.  No compensation for the property that was confiscated by the authorities.  These actions show obviously the authorities are still breaking human rights violation in Burma.