NuPo Karen Refugee Camp

Mae Tao Clinic Orphanage and Boarding School

Jan. 2015 P.E.A.C.E.

NuPo Karen Refugee Camp

and

Mae Tao Clinic Orphanage and Boarding School

. Healing through Arts Delegation

Mae Tao Clinic Orphanage and Boarding School

legation Report

Background:

There are over 100,000 Burmese Karen refugees in nineborder. The Karen people comprisrepressed by successive military dictatorships that have ruled Burma since 1948.

P.E.A.C.E. founder, Dr Phil West, first visited the Mae La Oon camp. This visit waor more Burmese Karen refugee camps.

Due to subsequent personal contact with NuPo camp who now lives in Australia, it was decided that a P.E.A.C.E. pNuPo camp was more practicalNuPos population is approximately 11,000.

PEACE visits to NuPo subsequently occurred in 2012, 2013 and then in January 2015.

The first two visits essentially involved developing more knowledge about the needs of the camp residents, the history of the Karen struggle, camp and of course developing the necessary personal relationships with importcamp figures and organisations.

Members of the

2

,000 Burmese Karen refugees in nine camps along the Thaicomprise one of many Burmese ethnic groups that have been

repressed by successive military dictatorships that have ruled Burma since 1948.

P.E.A.C.E. founder, Dr Phil West, first visited a Karen refugee camp in 2009. This was camp. This visit was a first step in establishing a PEACE project at one

or more Burmese Karen refugee camps.

Due to subsequent personal contact with Eh Paung, the former Camp Secretarywho now lives in Australia, it was decided that a P.E.A.C.E. p

camp was more practical in a large part due to much easier road accessibilityNuPos population is approximately 11,000.

PEACE visits to NuPo subsequently occurred in 2012, 2013 and then in January 2015.

The first two visits essentially involved developing more knowledge about the needs of the history of the Karen struggle, the general life and culture

and of course developing the necessary personal relationships with importcamp figures and organisations.

Members of the PEACE delegation, 2013

camps along the Thai-Burma of many Burmese ethnic groups that have been

repressed by successive military dictatorships that have ruled Burma since 1948.

a Karen refugee camp in 2009. This was establishing a PEACE project at one

former Camp Secretary of the who now lives in Australia, it was decided that a P.E.A.C.E. project at the

easier road accessibility.

PEACE visits to NuPo subsequently occurred in 2012, 2013 and then in January 2015.

The first two visits essentially involved developing more knowledge about the needs of the general life and culture in the

and of course developing the necessary personal relationships with important

Map showing Bangkok, Mae Sot and NuPo

To Chiang Mai

3

showing Bangkok, Mae Sot and NuPo

To Chiang Mai

showing Bangkok, Mae Sot and NuPo

The following images are of ordinary camp residents during their daily routines in the camp.

An elderly woman doing some spring

Two

4

The following images are of ordinary camp residents during their daily routines in the camp.

An elderly woman doing some spring cleaning in front of her house

Two young boys playing on the road

The following images are of ordinary camp residents during their daily routines in the camp.

in front of her house

The Karen and the politics of Burma: a (very) brief history.The Karen are one of many ethnic communities in Burma who have faced repression by military dictatorships that have ruled Burma continuously since 1948.

Only in the past 2-3 years has a degree of democratisation occurred in Burma, but this is far from complete and the military still controlinstitutions. In the meantime, tensalong the Thai-Burma border and may not feel safe to return for many years to come.

A majority of Karen are Christian, having been converted by German 19th Century. The second largest religious grouping is Buddhist Burma.

The first refugee camps were established in repression following elections in 1988 in which the won around 65% of the votes. The military had allowed the election, but thought they could control the process and ensure victory by compliant, militaryparties. This didnt occur and losing was too much of a shock! Swas imprisoned under house arrest for the were tortured, murdered, disappeared or imprisoned.

Now, a second generation of children are being born in the camps. Due to confinement and restriction of camp life, the younger generation of Karen are losing traditional agricultural skills as which are very cramped. Residents receive food rations from international aid. This also develops an aid dependency which is very debilitating in the long run.

Many also have war and conflicthundreds of Karen villages were burned amountains while being chased by the military. Elderly or sick sometimes had to be left behind and children died of illness and maPEACEs Healing through Artstrauma and emotional scars. When other agencies h

5

and the politics of Burma: a (very) brief history. are one of many ethnic communities in Burma who have faced

repression by military dictatorships that have ruled Burma continuously since 1948.

3 years has a degree of democratisation occurred in Burma, but this is far from complete and the military still controls most of the economy and social

tens of thousands of Karen continue to live in Burma border and may not feel safe to return for many years to come.

A majority of Karen are Christian, having been converted by German missionaries in the Century. The second largest religious grouping is Buddhist the majority relig

The first refugee camps were established in northern Thailand after mass political repression following elections in 1988 in which the opposition led by Aung San Suwon around 65% of the votes. The military had allowed the election, but perhaps thought they could control the process and ensure victory by compliant, militaryparties. This didnt occur and losing was too much of a shock! So Aung San Su

under house arrest for the next 20 years and thousands were tortured, murdered, disappeared or imprisoned.

Now, a second generation of children are being born in the camps. Due to restriction of camp life, the younger generation of Karen are losing

as there is no room for normal crop production at tResidents receive food rations from international aid. This also

develops an aid dependency which is very debilitating in the long run.

Many also have war and conflict-related trauma. At the height of the military repression, hundreds of Karen villages were burned and people were forced to flee to the mountains while being chased by the military. Elderly or sick sometimes had to be left behind and children died of illness and malnutrition. Their trauma and scars are deep.

Healing through Arts program supports the long-term healing from this When other agencies have left, PEACE will

are one of many ethnic communities in Burma who have faced severe repression by military dictatorships that have ruled Burma continuously since 1948.

3 years has a degree of democratisation occurred in Burma, but this conomy and social

of thousands of Karen continue to live in the camps Burma border and may not feel safe to return for many years to come.

missionaries in the the majority religion in

after mass political opposition led by Aung San Suu Kyi

perhaps thought they could control the process and ensure victory by compliant, military-aligned

o Aung San Suu Kyi 20 years and thousands of Burmese

Now, a second generation of children are being born in the camps. Due to the restriction of camp life, the younger generation of Karen are losing

here is no room for normal crop production at the camps Residents receive food rations from international aid. This also

trauma. At the height of the military repression, to the

mountains while being chased by the military. Elderly or sick sometimes had to be left lnutrition. Their trauma and scars are deep.

term healing from this still be there.

P.E.A.C.E. in Mae Sot and Nu

This PEACE trip took place between JBoarding school in Mae Sot and Jan

The trip was financially supported by a number of Rotary clubs and we sincerely thank these clubs for their generosity: Rotary Club of Altona City: $600, Rotary Club of Bendigo: $100, Rotary Club of Eaglehawk: $100, Rotary Club of Bendigo South: $100.The ideals of PEACE are empathy

Healing occurs when these ideals are put into practice.

The healing work of P.E.A.C.E. activities that the children in the camp and at the orphanage the lack of resources: colouring in, painting, drawing and craft activities with balloonspaper cups and other relatively simple itebeads, glitter-glue and so on.

Many activities may appear unassuminga purpose relating to self-esteem, community development, development, co-operation as well as

Happiness heals.

For the children in the camp (and the adults too), just knowing that people from countries are thinking about them and wanting to share with them and make their lives a bit more peaceful and joyful, is very powerful and can have an impact that is deep and long-lasting.

The team

The PEACE delegation this yearPhil West,Ph.D, Art teacher and graphic artist, Claudia Salazar plus two Bowen Therapists from Bendigo, Leanne Meeny and Samantha Hamilton. Bowen therapy relieves physical ailments plus helps release emotional stress and pain.

6

NuPo, January 2015.

took place between Jan 9-12 at the Mae Tao clinic Orphanage and Jan 13-17 at the NuPo camp, Thai-Burma border.

The trip was financially supported by a number of Rotary clubs and we sincerely thank these clubs for their generosity: Rotary Club of Altona City: $600, Rotary Club of

$100, Rotary Club of Eaglehawk: $100, Rotary Club of Bendigo South: $100.empathy, care, love and sharing.

these ideals are put into practice.

of P.E.A.C.E. is done through often basic and simple activities but the camp and at the orphanage can usually never

the lack of resources: colouring in, painting, drawing and craft activities with balloonsother relatively simple items such as ice-cream sticks, streamers

unassuming, but are structured in way so the esteem, community development, sharing, skill

as well as just feeling happy!

For the children in the camp (and the adults too), just knowing that people from are thinking about them and wanting to share with them and make their lives a

, is very powerful and can have an impact that is deep and

The PEACE delegation this year was made up of PEACE Founder and President, Dr Art teacher and graphic artist, Claudia Salazar plus two Bowen

Therapists from Bendigo, Leanne Meeny and Samantha Hamilton. Bowen therapy relieves physical

Bowen in practice at the camp on a mtable in the school hall

rphanage and Burma border.

The trip was financially supported by a number of Rotary clubs and we sincerely thank these clubs for their generosity: Rotary Club of Altona City: $600, Rotary Club of

$100, Rotary Club of Eaglehawk: $100, Rotary Club of Bendigo South: $100.

basic and simple activities but never do due to

the lack of resources: colouring in, painting, drawing and craft activities with balloons, cream sticks, streamers,

the activities have skill and

For the children in the camp (and the adults too), just knowing that people from other are thinking about them and wanting to share with them and make their lives a

, is very powerful and can have an impact that is deep and

was made up of PEACE Founder and President, Dr Art teacher and graphic artist, Claudia Salazar plus two Bowen

a make-shift

7

The P.E.A.C.E. Team: Rear: Phil West and local camp contact person and Bendigo Karen Community Leader, Eh Paung. Seated L-R: Claudia Salazar, Sam Hamilton and Leanne Meeny.

_____________________________________

Bowen in Practice: One day, Leanne and Sam performed Bowen on a severely traumatised young woman of around 17 who had only just arrived in the camp from Burma. She had been the victim of an apparent gang-rape by soldiers and was being cared for by the Karen Womens Organisation (KWO). She was not talking. For all of us, she was the most traumatised person we had ever seen. Her eyes appeared as if hollow, she was expressionless and you could actually sense the terror she had been through. It was as though part of her humanity had been wrenched from her. After a therapeutic session of Bowen, the girl actually smiled a bit and then asked if she could receive another Bowen session the following day.

The Art workshops.

Art, music and craftwork activities form the basis of the P.E.A.C.E. Healing through Arts workshops.

Images rather than words best illustrate the PEACE activities carried out at the camp, however, a short description is necessary and informative.

8

Respect, concentration, behaviour and happiness.

The Karen children in the camp present an extraordinary symbol of our shared humanity.

The camp children rarely have the opportunity to carry out the type of activities provided by P.E.A.C.E. At all times they show deep appreciation and respect and express their joy at the activities they are involved in. Children as young as just three years-old deeply appreciated the activities or were just so happy to be doing them that they concentrated in a way that many 16-year-olds I have taught in Australian schools cannot!

However, the most remarkable expression of the community spirit of the Karen, their sense of shared purpose and their grass-roots religious conviction is demonstrated in how the children treat each other.

They always share and are very polite and respectful to each other. Not once did we witness anyone grab something out of anothers hand or scream, cry or complain about anything. And this observation wasnt a once off.

During my last visit, a group of pre-school children aged 3-5 were doing activities such as colouring-in and simple craft activities for an hour. Not once did any child grab materials off another, push another and not one child cried or had a tantrum or hissy fit. I really doubt that in Australia, a group of twenty 3-4 year olds could do art and craft for an hour without one child pushing another, grabbing scissors or a pencil off another or crying about something.

For me, this is a realisation of how spoiled our children are in countries like Australia. Children who are used to almost nothing, seem to naturally share, respect their fellow children and just enjoy the moment of happiness and joy without interfering negatively with others. They also dont have ADHD and other similarly-labelled emotional ailments common in developed, industrialised nations.

Photos illustrative of team-work and cooperation

This little girl was only aboutmasterpiece for about 30 minutes

she had never used before in her life, was

9

about two years-old. However, she fully concentrated on her for about 30 minutes. Her joy and fascination with using colour textas,

she had never used before in her life, was heart-warming.

he fully concentrated on her maraca colour textas, which

The Healing through Arts Workshops

The activities carried out by PEACE with the aid of our wonderful translators, included song and dance and the following

Balloon self portraits and/or fantasy faces Bead necklace making Painting (acrylic and water paints) Colouring-in Hearts of Hope activity featuring cardboard hearts on which children

artwork and write message of love, Rubber Loop Jewellery Maraca making (two white cardboard cups placed end to end which con

and which are then taped together and illustrated by the children). Own hand trace, cut out & colour Finger panting Mixed art posters

Here are some photos of the various activities:

10

Workshops:

The activities carried out by PEACE with the aid of our wonderful translators, included song and dance and the following art/craft activities:

Balloon self portraits and/or fantasy faces Bead necklace making

(acrylic and water paints)

Hearts of Hope activity featuring cardboard hearts on which childrenmessage of love, hope and peace to others.

Jewellery Maraca making (two white cardboard cups placed end to end which con

ped together and illustrated by the children). Own hand trace, cut out & colour-in activity.

Here are some photos of the various activities:

The activities carried out by PEACE with the aid of our wonderful translators, included

Hearts of Hope activity featuring cardboard hearts on which children cover with

Maraca making (two white cardboard cups placed end to end which contain rice

11

This was the first time this budding artist had ever used water colours

painting was done completely from his imagination

Happ

12

This was the first time this budding artist had ever used water colours and the

painting was done completely from his imagination

ppy (or crazy!) Balloon Faces and Posters.

and the

The NuPo Camp Special Development School

The NuPo camp has a population of approwith physical and/or intellectual disabilities in the camp. PEACE met the teacherabout specific needs of the SDS school and ran a

In essence, the conditions are atrocious and the school has almost no materials. PEACE would very much like to provide support to th

13

The NuPo Camp Special Development School (SDS) The NuPo camp has a population of approximately 11,000. There are of course some children with physical and/or intellectual disabilities in the camp. PEACE met the teacher

pecific needs of the SDS school and ran a Healing through Arts program.

In essence, the conditions are atrocious and the school has almost no materials. PEACE would very much like to provide support to this school. Here are some photos.

There are of course some children with physical and/or intellectual disabilities in the camp. PEACE met the teachers and learned

program.

In essence, the conditions are atrocious and the school has almost no materials. PEACE would

14

Hearts Across the World: A P.E.A.C.E. initiative ready to go GLOBAL!

In recent years, two shocking acts of violence occurred in other countries that resonated with ordinary Australians: The Norwegian youth camp massacre and the Newtown high school shootings in Connecticut, USA. These random and tragic acts of violence prompted PEACE to take action to show support to the survivors and the families of those killed.

PEACE liaised with a number of schools in Australia and the school children made cards with message of support plus a canvas mural to send to the affected communities. The purpose behind this project is for the ideals of PEACE to positively impact our local children as well as the children touched by the particular tragedy.

The young people and families personally affected by a shooting, massacre, random murder or terrorist attack are going through grief, loss and trauma. Receiving messages of love and hope from unknown children from the other side of the world can help their healing process and to perhaps understand that the world out there is not so bad after all. The act of solidarity is quite simple, but can be significant.

For the Australian children, they can express their feelings about what happened while also opening their hearts by sending messages of love and solidarity.

Young people at the best of times, but especially now with the shocking violence that is occurring everywhere, cannot really understand why these things happen but still feel grief and shock. Even if they would prefer not to hear or learn about the incidents, the news and images are all over the TV and social media. There is no escape. Often the young people can relate to the incidents - such as the school or youth camp shootings or the murder recently of the 17-year-old school girl simply walking through a park listening to her i-pod or the young teacher murdered just before her wedding day. At such times, young people can be shocked, angry but also feel sadness and fear. Being able to express their feelings and take direct, individual action makes them realise that they can personally make a difference and have an impact across the globe.

Stemming from these initial actions, the idea of heart-shaped cards was developed by Dr West based on the centrality of the heart symbol in the PEACE logo.

Thus, instead of just a usual flat (and boring) card, a heart could literally be sent across the world. Related actions based on the theme could be developed. For example Hearts for Hope (perhaps after natural disasters) and Hearts to Heaven. This latter idea was developed after the recent murder of the young schoolgirl and the school-teacher bride-to-be in NSW. The idea is

15

that the affected communities (school children in these examples), could make their PEACE Hearts that could then be attached to helium balloons. Thus, the Hearts containing their heartfelt messages and artwork could literally be sent to Heaven. This would be a beautiful and symbolic act during time of grief.

The Hearts Across the World idea was put into practice during this recent trip to the Karen camp. A sample of around 20 Hearts were made by school children in Melbourne with artwork and messages of peace and love for us to give to children in the refugee camp.

At the camp, children made hearts to decorate their community hall, for the PEACE delegates and to be passed onto Karen children in Australia. The Hearts activity truly showed the deep spiritual and emotional impact this idea can have. This was most clearly seen when the children made hearts for the PEACE delegates. The children really took the task to heart (excuse another pun) and produced beautiful and heartfelt artwork and messages.

One girl who did her heart for our professional artist, Claudia Salazar, unexpectedly produced another drawing for Claudia the next morning.

Her amazing drawing represented the emotional link developed between her and Claudia through the making of the heart. The emotion relating to her happiness and joy at our visit and the activities and fun she had enjoyed came to the fore. This is better described by images of her artwork. The image above shows the first PEACE heart which features drawings of Claudia and herself. The following page shows a close up of the second drawing.

16

Below: An example of another PEACE heart. The words are simple but expressive and beautiful: I miss you, I am happy today, Sing=love

The second artwork featuring a beautiful drawing of Claudia (teacher) and the young girl

17

The Boarding school at the NuPo Camp.

The children of the Boarding School are unaccompanied minors. Some have lost a parent or were separated from family when fleeing military violence and were sent across to the camp for safety and to receive a basic education. Life in the Burmese villages over the border is precarious, there is usually no education available and military repression is still occurring. In the Boarding School, the older children look after the younger ones (some are siblings) and there are a number of adults who act in a parenting role. The children arise at around 4:30, tend a communal vegetable garden for about an hour, then have a shower and breakfast and start school at 9:00.

Above: Boarding school children tending the vegetable garden. Below: Children in class

PEACE at NuPo and beyond: The next steps.

After three trips to NuPo, PEACEstrong links with the camp leadership and is therefore support to the people of the camp

This report is not the place to provide all details about planed future support and a detailed breakdown of possible budgets, but the following provides a guide and approximate costs in order of priority.

1. Support for the Special Education School

The school is in quite a dilapidatedresources and general equipment are almost nonare committed and do their best. Suffice to say that the children do not receive a very high level of educational intervention,

18

beyond: The next steps.

After three trips to NuPo, PEACE now understands the community, has developed strong links with the camp leadership and is therefore ready to expand our role

camp.

This report is not the place to provide all details about planed future support and a detailed breakdown of possible budgets, but the following provides a guide and approximate costs in order of priority.

the Special Education School

quite a dilapidated state of disrepair. Materials, educational aids and es and general equipment are almost non-existent but the staff and volunteers

are committed and do their best. Suffice to say that the children do not receive a very l of educational intervention, physical therapy or sensory stimulation.

now understands the community, has developed ready to expand our role and our

This report is not the place to provide all details about planed future support and a detailed breakdown of possible budgets, but the following provides a guide and

Materials, educational aids and existent but the staff and volunteers

are committed and do their best. Suffice to say that the children do not receive a very physical therapy or sensory stimulation.

19

How PEACE could support the SDS:

- Provision of specialist stimulatory educational equipment and toys. Most would be sourced in Thailand while some items unavailable in Thailand would be brought from Australia where feasible.

Approx. cost: $2,000 for initial year, $1,000 pa thereafter - Provision of specialist rest/posture equipment and related health and physical aides.

Good second-hand items would be purchased if possible. Most items can probably be purchased in Thailand.

Approx. cost: $5,000 for first year, $1,000 pa thereafter - Materials and labour to repair the building including new leaves for the roof. The

roofs of the bamboo dwellings in the camp are made from large leaves which need replacing each 12-18 months.

Aprox. Cost: $1,300 One weekly free lunch for the children and staff

Approx. annual cost: $3,000 - Funds to enhance the teachers salaries and for volunteer support.

Approx. cost: $1,000 - Costs for ground transportation (of purchased equipment) in Thailand and related

costs (fuel, insurance etc) Approx. cost: $500 PEACE would also like to support the volunteering at the camp of some Special Education teachers/retired teachers or final year Special Education Students and other related professionals (physio-therapists etc) to work with the children but also provide train the trainer programs for the staff and parent volunteers.

TOTAL approximate cost to support the Special Development School: $12,800 for the first year, $7,800 thereafter. Some of these costs probably appear quite low, however, costs in Thailand for most items are of course much cheaper than in Australia and the costs in the camp are extraordinarily low as it is not a real village in Thailand and there is no real economy as such.

20

2. Support for the Camp Boarding School and Dormitories.

This support would include money for Dormitory building repair (Including much needed waterproofing for the rainy season) and to enhance safety for the children. Approx. cost: $1600 for the first year and then $1,200 annually thereafter, - Art, craft and musical supplies for the dormitory and the school

Approx cost: $4,000 in first year and $1,500 annually thereafter TOTAL approximate cost to support the Boarding school and dormitories: $5,600 for the first year, $2,700pa thereafter.

3. Support for the crisis intervention and general work of the Karen Womens Organisation (KWO) including physical infrastructure repair to their small office and purchase of supplies/aids/tools/equipment.

The KWO is a wonderful organisation that works in all the camps and supports womens education, development, health, maternal health and issues surrounding family violence. They also support women in emergency situations who enter the camp/s from over the border after trauma of violence, family deaths or sexual violence.

Total approximate cost: $3,000 initially and $1,200 pa thereafter. __________

General administration costs, volunteer support costs and manager travel costs: approx. $2,500 per trip and $10,000 annually for costs in Australia (design & printing of promotional materials/flyers, volunteer training, printing, telecommunications etc). So far the trips have been each 18 months to two years apart. However, to properly develop the programs and to maintain the important personal relationships that already exist, three trips per year for the program manager would be ideal. Volunteers fund their travel and accommodation/food costs. Thailand is of course in our region and travel costs can be reasonably low if tickets are purchased well in advance. The main cost in Thailand is for vehicle hire. Again, this is about a third of the cost compared with Australia. For example, in January 2015, our four wheel drive hire with full insurance was $50 per day.

Cont.../

TOTAL approximate cost of ALL support for PEACE activitiespartners in the camp:

For the first year: $21,400For each subsequent

PLUS admin costs of approx. $admin costs in Australia).

TOTAL for ALL PEACE Project costs and admin costs = approx.

Initial year and $29,200 for each subsequent year.

___________________________________

Support for the Mae Tao clinic Orphanage and Boarding school.

PEACE also visited the famous Mao Tao clinic which is in the Thai town of Mae Sot. The clinic is really now a large hospital

It was established by Dr Cynthia Maung over 20 years ago as just a few huts in the servicing poor Karen women who hadelegation in 2013 visited the clinic and Dr West has a direct connection with Dr Maung through a Karen relative of hers who lives in Melbourne. the prestigious Sydney Peace Prize in 2013.

One of the PEACE volunteers in 2013 was a postfollowing our return to Mae Sot froClinic as a volunteer at the Prosthetics Lab.

The Clinic also runs the Orphanagein the camp, the children at the Mae Tao facility are also however; most are also orphans

Although the refugee camp is priority of PEACEs work, the Mao Tao school also has limited resources. PEACE developed a great relationship with the school, the principal and the general staff and PEACE would like to support these children too for the provision of art and craft supplies and

Photo: Children at the Mao Tao orphanage during a PEACE Healing through Arts

21

of ALL support for PEACE activities and project

$21,400; year: $11,700

costs of approx. $17,500 pa (3X$2,500 per OS trip plus $10,000

TOTAL for ALL PEACE Project costs and admin costs = approx.

for each subsequent year.

___________________________________

Support for the Mae Tao clinic Orphanage and Boarding school.

PEACE also visited the famous Mao Tao clinic which is in the Thai town of Mae Sot. The clinic is really now a large hospital that services thousands of patients each week.

It was established by Dr Cynthia Maung over 20 years ago as just a few huts in the servicing poor Karen women who had fled the military repression. The PEACE

3 visited the clinic and Dr West has a direct connection with Dr Maung through a Karen relative of hers who lives in Melbourne. Dr Maung was the recipient of he prestigious Sydney Peace Prize in 2013.

One of the PEACE volunteers in 2013 was a post-grad Prosthetic engineer and lowing our return to Mae Sot from our visit to the camp, stayed for six weeks at the

Clinic as a volunteer at the Prosthetics Lab.

Orphanage and boarding school. Similar to the Boarding school in the camp, the children at the Mae Tao facility are also unaccompanied minors

orphans as a result of the armed conflict.

is the first , the Mao Tao

also has limited resources. PEACE developed a great relationship

pal and the general staff and PEACE would like to support these children too for the provision of art and craft supplies and

Children at the Mao Tao orphanage Healing through Arts workshop

project

plus $10,000

TOTAL for ALL PEACE Project costs and admin costs = approx. $38,900 for

PEACE also visited the famous Mao Tao clinic which is in the Thai town of Mae Sot. services thousands of patients each week.

It was established by Dr Cynthia Maung over 20 years ago as just a few huts in the dirt The PEACE

3 visited the clinic and Dr West has a direct connection with Dr Maung Dr Maung was the recipient of

grad Prosthetic engineer and m our visit to the camp, stayed for six weeks at the

and boarding school. Similar to the Boarding school unaccompanied minors

develop and on-going relationship with the school and orphanage.

Establishing a Child Sponsorship program will also be investigated.

Photos showing inside and outside the boys dorms which were destroyed by fire

few weeks after PEACEs visit. The photounderneath is of the kitchen in which the

food for all the children in cooked.

22

going relationship with the school and orphanage.

Establishing a Child Sponsorship investigated.

Photos showing inside and outside the destroyed by fire a

The photo underneath is of the kitchen in which the

food for all the children in cooked.

23

PEACEs principal area of work is related to the provision of arts activities and programs to support emotional healing of war-derived trauma. We do not heavily support infrastructure. We will do this in the camp to some extent for our specific project partners who are in dire need such as the Special Development School.

However, PEACE would like to support the orphanage in the following way:

- Provision of art and craft and musical supplies for the school. Approx. cost: $2,000 for first year, $750 pa thereafter.

- Once-off provision of equipment to properly and more hygienically stock the kitchen and for the construction of some shelving and cupboards. Approx. cost: $1,500

TOTAL for supporting the Mae Tao orphanage and boarding school: $3,500 initially, $750 thereafter. PEACE delegations would of course continue to visit the orphanage and school and would like to provide medium to long-term volunteer teachers and other professionals to work at the Orphanage.

So the NEW TOTAL for ALL support including support for the Mae Tao orphanage would be: $42,400 for the initial year and $29,950 for each year thereafter.

__________________

The Hearts Across the World idea proved a great success in the small trial at the camp. The heart is a universal symbol of love and hope across all religions and cultures.

PEACE envisages that this beautiful idea could become global if the right support and marketing is done and one or two celebs come on board as Ambassadors. But there is nothing to stop this program being put into practice immediately. As well as being enacted in Australia after tragedies such as the murder of the Melbourne school-school, the hearts could also be made by children from schools and other organisations and sent to children suffering loss and grief after school massacres or acts of violence and cruelty such as the recent university massacre in Kenya or the kidnapping of the schoolgirls in Nigeria.

This could become universal and the project trademarked, logos copyrighted and sales could generate income for the project.

Hearts Across the World Project (incorporating Hearts for Hope and Hearts to Heaven)

24

For example, at community festivals or events, PEACE could run a table for the Hearts Across the World program. Kids/parents would purchase a blank heart for say $2 and the children would complete a finished heart on the spot which would be sent to say a refugee camp. Additionally, because of the very strong emotional appeal of the PEACE Hearts, Children could also purchase extra hearts to take home as the hearts could be used as Mothers Day cards, birthday cards and so on. There would surely be potential for retail sales or for partnership by a large retailer during a designated International Hearts for Hope Day or similar.

PEACE wishes to get Hearts Across the World started as soon as possible!

A quote from Precision Forme Printing shows that the production of 2000 A4-sized Hearts would cost $750. This is less than 50c each. Obviously cost per-unit is reduced if more are printed. The Hearts would be blank on one side and the other side would be lined in part but also present information about PEACE and partners (eg a Rotary Club) with logo/s. These promotional markings on the card plus contact information would be suitably visible but appropriately subtle.

__________

Summary

The trip to NuPo was very successful particularly in terms of:

Strengthening relationships made during previous trips

gaining further understanding of the needs of the people and how PEACE can best support the NuPo community.

The resilience, strength and uncomplicated religious convictions of peace, love and goodwill towards others of the Karen was a joy to witness. Their happiness and delight in having an opportunity to extend their creativity, imagination and to express their feelings through participation in the Healing through Arts activities was a raw emotional experience for all involved. The power of The Arts to awaken, inspire, increase self-love and bring hope, joy and to relieve trauma was strongly evidenced.1

1Up until now, the healing through arts activities of PEACE have not been based on formal Arts Therapy. PEACE is not philosophically opposed to formal therapy and would appreciate the involvement of formally-trained therapists in further development of our programs. However, the lived experience of PEACE in the camp and in workshops PEACE has carried out in Cambodia and Colombia, demonstrate that a less formally interventionist approach which essentially provides traumatised children the chance to have fun, be creative, imaginative and cooperative with others is amazingly healing and therapeutic.

25

Above all, the practical application of the Hearts Across the World program demonstrated that this idea is very powerful and opens up creativity, passion, raw emotion and the manifestation deep human love and compassion. The practical testing of this idea has inspired PEACE to commit to make this project a Global reality with hoped-for participation by Rotary, UNICEF and other international organisations.

HeArtwork by a 15 Year-old Karen child at NuPo Karen refugee camp, January, 2015

Thank you for reading this report

Dr P West, Leanne Meeny, Claudia Salazar, Sam Hamilton

March, 2015

26

How to contact PEACE:

Dr Phil West: 0435 611 324; e: admin@peacethrougharts.org.au

FB: facebook.com/creativepeaceforchildren

We look forward to the PEACE Healing through Arts and the Hearts Across the World idea receiving support from your Rotary Club!

We seem your support, suggestions, ideas and participation!