Burmese Refugees Craft Future in Thailand
Over the last few weeks Burma has taken center stage in the international news. At the end of September, Burmese activists began protesting the high rise in electricity and gas prices. The protests swelled until the military took action and began arresting and abusing the protesters, including many monks.
The country is controlled by an oppressive military regime that carries out human rights abuses and attacks on Burmese ethnic groups, including the Karen, Karenni, and Katchin people. Faced with constant threats, members of these and other communities within Burma have been fleeing to Thailand for a number of years, seeking refuge in camps along the border.
Three of GGP’s partners —the Karen Women’s Organization (KWO) , Katchin Women’s Association Thailand (KWAT) , and Women’s Education for Advancement and Empowerment (WEAVE) —support the Burmese refugee community in Thailand, advocating for women’s rights and human rights while supporting vital income generating work and education for women and their families.
Each of these groups operates a craft workshop where refugee women incorporate the rich tradition of Burmese weaving and embroidery into the products they create. You can see the variety of products made by GGP’s partners on the Thai-Burmese border on our shopping page. Each purchase you make supports a woman and her family trying to survive as refugees while also supporting the empowerment, community development, and grassroots activism needed to bring an end to the oppressive Burmese regime.
Take Action
To learn more about the current situation in Burma and how you can support human rights activists in the country, visit the GGP map. To express your support for people of Burma, you can sign this petition , adding your voice to AVAAZ, a new international grassroots group.
For a printer-friendly version of the school flier on Burma download the following PDF:
