Voices of the People
These are Burma’s voices for change, extraordinary stories of people of Burma from all walks of life. Their experiences, struggles, fears, and successes. These are unheard stories of incredible spirit of resilience and courage, voices of hope and dreams that have emerged from decades of oppression. Help us spread these voices across the globe!
“I Want To Go To School, But I Need To Help Mum…”
Karen News, June 12, 2014 Child migrant workers in the Thai-Burma border town of Mae Sot struggle to earn enough to survive, working in dirty, difficult and dangerous work, many miss out on an education [...]
Karen Youth: Are We on the Right Track Towards Real Peace Process in Burma?
Eugene / Burma Link AOC, May 26, 2014 Today, a group of 56 Karen youths from Irrawaddy, Rangoon, Bago, Mon and Karen State, made their way to Mae La refugee camp to meet and exchange [...]
‘We Weren’t Afraid of Snakes or Tigers, just Burmese Soldiers’
Daw Hla Shin is a 70-year-old Karen woman from Win Tar Pan village in Bilin, Mon State. She grew up amidst Burmese Army abuse that only worsened after she married a Karen soldier. The villagers [...]
‘Hate Speech Pours Poison Into the Heart’
San Yamin Aung / The Irrawaddy, April 9, 2014 Well-known Burmese blogger and activist Nay Phone Latt launched the Panzagar (flower speech) campaign last week, which aims to oppose hate speech, a practice of attacking [...]
Tatmadawmen: You Know
By Moegyo, March 27, 2014 Men of the Tatmadaw, I come before you today, this the 69th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, to speak of matters of honor and respect. Throughout the history of Myanmar, our [...]
Back Pack Jungle Medics Treating IDPs in Burma’s Conflict Zones: Interview with Saw Win Kyaw
Burma Link | March 20, 2014 The Back Pack Health Worker Team (BPHWT) is a multi-ethnic community-based organisation that has been providing primary healthcare in the conflict and rural areas of Burma for over 15 [...]
Story of a Jungle Medic and Ethnic Health Director: Saw Win Kyaw
Burma Link | March 14, 2014 Saw Win Kyaw is a 42-year-old Buddhist Karen man who was born and grew up in Hpa-an Township. Taking to the streets in the 8888 uprising, 17-year-old Saw Win [...]
‘I want peace, I really want it to be true’
Burma Link | February 26, 2014 Noe Myint is a friendly and kind-hearted 46-year-old Karen man who grew up hiding in the jungle from Burmese military until fleeing to Thailand at the age of 12. [...]
Migrant Students Share Stories of Karen People from the 65th Revolution Day
On January 31st Karen soldiers, families, elders and students crossed the Moei River and gathered at Klo Yaw Lay, the KNLA 7th brigade headquarters to celebrate the 65th Karen Revolution Day. Students from Kaw Tha [...]
‘We Got Nothing Except a Place to Stay in the Rubbish Dump’
Burma Link | December 20, 2013 Htay Htay is a half Karen half Burman woman who came to Thailand in search of a better life. Now, she lives in a rubbish dump in the outskirts [...]
‘You Die with It or You Fight for It’
Burma Link | December 15, 2013 Khaing Hla Pyaint is an incredibly determined young Arakanese man who decided that whatever it takes, he will work for his country and help his people. On a long [...]
‘My Aim in Life Is to Work for My Country but I Ended up on a Fishing Boat’
Burma Link | December 9, 2013 This is a story of the strength of the human spirit, of incredible resilience and courage as well as kindness and reaching out to others. This story sheds light [...]