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 Am Thinking About If There Is Only Way to Get Freedom’: Daw Nan, Awarded KNLA Woman Soldier (UPDATE 2)
Burma Link | March 29, 2018 This story is the second update to Daw Nan's story, published as part of Burma Link’s “Protracted Displacement” longitudinal interview series. Daw Nan is a remarkably resilient and determined woman, [...]
‘I Decided to Continue Working for Karen Revolution Until I Die’: Daw Nan, Awarded KNLA Woman Soldier (UPDATE 1)
Burma Link | March 27, 2018 This story is an update to the first part of Daw Nan's story, published as part of Burma Link’s “Protracted Displacement” longitudinal interview series. Daw Nan is a remarkably resilient [...]
‘Burmese Military Jet Followed Us and Tried to Shoot Us Down’: Daw Nan, Awarded KNLA Woman Soldier
Burma Link | March 26, 2018 Daw Nan is a 60-year-old Karen woman who has led a remarkable life. Daw Nan spent much of her childhood in jungle hideouts, unable to go to school or [...]
‘Now the Support Is Going Inside Burma While the Political Situation Is Terrible’: Lay Lit, Karen Refugee and Youth Leader (UPDATE)
Burma Link | February 1, 2018 This story is an update to the first part of Naw Lay Lit Ray Thaw’s story, published as part of Burma Link’s “Protracted Displacement” longitudinal interview series. Naw Lay [...]
‘They [IDPs] Cannot Buy Medicine Anymore’: Saw Hser Htoo Plaw, Leader of Karen IDP Camp (UPDATE)
Burma Link | January 22, 2018 This story is an update to the first part of Saw Hser Htoo Plaw’s story, published as part of Burma Link’s “Protracted Displacement” longitudinal interview series. Saw Hser Htoo [...]
‘If Patients Need Medicine, Sometimes We Health Workers Buy It for Them’: Ko Kya, Karen IDP Medic in KNU 5th Brigade
Burma Link | January 17, 2018 Ko Kya grew up amidst conflict in Hee Poe Der village in Karen National Union (KNU) 5th Brigade. The villagers had to often hide in the jungle when they [...]
‘To Get Peace, I Think There Is Only One Way – Fight for It’: Hser Gay Paw, Karen Refugee Resettled in KNDO Base
Burma Link | January 15, 2018 Although 28-year-old Hser Gay Paw was born in the Karen State, she has spent most of her life in Mae La refugee camp in Thailand, where her family fled [...]
‘The Youth Can Help the Government to Better Our Country’: Students and Youth Congress of Burma (SYCB)
Burma Link | January 8, 2018 Founded in New Delhi in 1996, the Students and Youth Congress of Burma (SYCB) is an umbrella organization of eleven different ethnic youth and student organizations from Burma. After [...]
‘If I Return I Fear That I Will Face Terrible Killings and Dangerous Situations’: Naw Thein Nay, KWO Chairwoman in Karen IDP Camp Ei Thu Hta
Burma Link | December 14, 2017 After fleeing persecution from the Burma Army in her native village, Naw Thein Nay found her way to Ei Thu Hta Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp in 2007. There, [...]
‘I Want the International Community to Open Their Eyes… We Cannot Return Burma as There Is No Real Peace’: Ei Thu Hta IDP Camp Leadership
Burma Link | December 11, 2017 Only a few days after the provision of food aid to the Karen Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camp Ei Thu Hta was cut to zero, Burma Link visited this [...]
‘[NCA] Is Not Something That Will Benefit the Ethnic Groups and Our Struggle’: Karen Major General Nerdah Bo Mya Urges Ethnic Leaders to Stay Away from the ‘Useless’ Deal
Burma Link | October 31, 2017 The second anniversary of the ‘Nationwide’ Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) was held on October 15 2017 in Naypyidaw, attended by the State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma Army [...]
‘Women Working in Rural Areas … Need to Be Given Bigger Platforms to Promote Sustainable Development in Their Communities’: Shan Women’s Action Network
Burma Link | October 13, 2017 Founded in 1999, Shan Women’s Action Network (SWAN) has been advocating for gender equality and justice for women in Shan State for nearly two decades. Composed of a network [...]