New Book Brings Stories of Burma’s Ethnic Nationalities from the Thailand-Burma Border to Local and International Audiences

Press release by Burma Link | March 16, 2016

(March 16, 2016) Today, Burma Link launches a book, Lives on the Line: Voices for Change from the Thailand-Burma Border, in English and Burmese. The book brings stories of Burma’s ethnic nationalities from diverse backgrounds to international audiences as well as into book shops inside the country.

The stories in the book were collected by Burma Link through qualitative life story interviews between 2013 and 2015. The book features ten stories of refugees, women and youth activists, jungle medics, military leaders, and freedom fighters; a collection of the most inspiring, haunting, and incredible life stories that Burma Link has had the privilege to document and transform into written narratives.

The book was originally launched in Mae Sot, Thailand, on March 12th. Ms. Leena, the current International Coordinator and co-founder of Burma Link, said: “We hope that these real life stories will contribute towards a deeper understanding of the struggles and lives of Burma’s ethnic people, and draw attention to the central role that the ethnic plight has played in the lack of democracy in the country. Although this is just a snapshot, these are stories of those who have experienced one of the world’s longest conflicts first-hand and of those who stand for peace and freedom. These are Burma’s ‘Voices for Change.’”

Guests in the launch included Major General and chief of staff of the Karen National Defense Organisation (KNDO) Nerdah Bo Mya, whose story is also featured in the book. Nerdah Bo Mya said, “I believe that everyone who reads this book will learn about the lives of the ethnic people and the lives of the revolutionaries, because the stories in this book are written based on the voices of those people themselves. In addition, while we are in the current peace process, this book will help people to understand the real situation of ethnic people and help us continue our work better in the future.”

The English book is available as a paperback and an e-book through U.S. based online shop Lulu.com. The Burmese book hit major book shops inside Burma today.

Download this press release (PDF)

For more information and media inquiries, please contact:

Leena (English): leena@burmalink.org

Atun (Burmese): voice@burmalink.org