Well I’ve been in Mae Sot just a little over 2 weeks, and it’s really clear to see the impact the Seedbeds Change Incubator projects have had across the activist community and beyond. As expected the needs are overwhelming, and with so many small projects it’s hard not to be spread too thin. Due to security issues, we can’t do large projects so this is the only way – and a really effective way – of supporting each person in smaller groups, as the trauma and stress of their situation is incredibly overwhelming. I really see that God has used Seedbeds to spark hope and joy, and help remind people they are not forgotten. The exciting thing to see is how the highly skilled and formerly powerful people are now realising the need to help those in the most poverty around them, and many of the projects really reflect God’s love for the poorest of the poor.
My recommendation is that we don’t have a new Change Incubator cohort this coming year but that we go deeper with the incredible leaders we already have. Every project is lacking funds and volunteers, and so there is much work to be done. The Thai Police continue to crack down and arrest people in order to firm up a friendship between the newly elected Thai Government and the Burmese Military dictatorship. The Thais care about trade in minerals, precious stones, gas etc. and are also concerned about the massive increase in the drug trade across the border, which the Burmese military blames on the democratic forces. However, the UN and other independent observers confirm the drugs are coming from the Burmese dictatorship and some small armed groups aligned with them, as they need the money to buy their weapons from China and Russia.
At the recommendation of some of the Seedbeds Mae Sot team, I have started a weekly Seedbeds Kids CLUB: a swimming group for 20 children who have not been able to go anywhere as the adults have no ID documents. I have found a resort that will let me take them there each Saturday. We’ve done two trips now and so far nobody has drowned, so we can call that a success.
I have partnered with the Pan Pyote Lat Education centre. A tiny patch of dirt near my house where three former University lecturers who fled the war were saddened to see so many Burmese children in their area not in any school. This school is free and they have 30 children every day. The teachers are all volunteers and I am volunteering 4 days a week doing art (yes don’t laugh!) cooking, craft and yes again swimming classes. This little resort is in walking distance from the school and as long as I pay they seem happy for me to bring as many Burmese kids as I want. Again this school needs everything so I am busy writing proposals to see if schools in the UK or Australia would want to partner with these guys.
What is really different here compared to 25 years ago, is how all the ethnic groups are working together. In the past, each group was very separate and this was often caused by religious lines as well as ethnic ones. This school is run by Rakhene, Karen and Burmese and Chin volunteers. All suffering after fleeing their homes, but motivated to help these poorest children. Someone here told me that some people still decide to become Christians so that they will get more help from the church groups, what a sad legacy of Rice Christians d 400 years of missionary work has left in South East Asia!
Please pray for the many terrified young people who have fled across the border – they are also the most likely to be arrested by the Thai police and are then handed directly to the Burmese Military where they are forced to fight or are jailed or shot. They are given 2 weeks of training and then sent straight to the front line where many die almost immediately. The Burmese Seedbeds team have just finished an in-depth survey of 750 recent arrivals – a few who have actually been sent to fight and have run away. It’s horrendous and heartbreaking the stories that we have gathered.
The one way these young people can be safe is to be registered as students and that is why our education projects are so important. I have attached a proposal that I am sending around to try and fund some of these Seedbeds projects. If you know any donors please feel free to send it on.
In other news – I have started learning Burmese 3 times a week and as predicted I’m a terrible student! I would appreciate your prayers for a miracle! I have found a house to rent and taken in an older Burmese lady who was in hiding and waiting for a humanitarian visa to Australia. She doesn’t speak English or Thai so we are having fun with Google Translate! Yesterday after 8 hours of lessons and tests in Thai I passed my Motorbike licence so am now legally driving around – better late than never.
Thanks for all your support and prayers.
For more information about the projects we’re fundraising for, please click here.
Remember this is what really happens when we drop bombs on people – God make this end!
Rev Anji Barker
Lodge Road URC Church
143 Lodge Road
Winson Green
B184BU
07804679332
Thanks for the update Anji. Making good progress in just two weeks. I’ll be in touch.
Denise