Burma: Schools:
Kaw Law Gaw
Location:
Doo Pla Ya District, Karen State
Current Situation: Closed
due to Fighting
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Epiphany
Trust has supported Kaw Law Gaw primary school since 2003. The
village is located three kilometres inside Burma and has been
a major centre for local Karen life and has hosted national
Karen celebrations. As with our other schools we provided grants
for salaries, food and educational resources, as well as giving
funds to make the building watertight. However, the situation
in Burma is precarious and the school is not currently functioning.
Despite this saddening situation we remain positive that your
support has led to students receiving five years of good education.
At
the time of writing in November 2008, the Burmese Army (SPDC)
and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) are occupying
the village and fighting is ongoing nearby. Many of the villagers
are hiding in the surrounding jungle. They have little shelter,
no access to clean water and are at risk from malaria and dengue.
In 2005, the SPDC attacked this village during the Karen New
Year celebrations. As these photos show, the villagers escaped
into the jungle, carrying whatever they could. The Epiphany
Trust was on the ground delivering supplies to these villagers.
The situation on this part of the Burmese border
is complex and the motivation of warring factions confused but
as usual, it is the poor and the needy who are suffering and
dying. What is all the more galling is that during the recent
attacks the local clinic in Paw Bu Lata, in the picture, was
looted and everything, including all the medicines, were taken.
Epiphany has provided our local contacts with funds to buy rice,
mosquito repellent, water purification tablets and electrolytes
to replace minerals lost through dehydration. We anticipate
having to continue doing this in the short to medium term.
It
is impossible to say how the situation will develop. It is probable
that the SPDC and DKBA will take more territory within Karen
State. What we ask of you is that you pray for the people as
they struggle with an uncertain and dangerous future.
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