Action Plan Title: Burmese Indigenous Refugee Support Club

 

Jiayu (Karen) G.

Hometown/Country: Thailand

Program/Year: BELL Alaska, 2023

Please describe your Action Plan in detail.

My action plan was to found and lead a club supporting Burmese indigenous refugees and raising awareness about the civil war in Burma. We raise awareness about the history and the myriad of effects from the ongoing conflict in Myanmar while fundraising to provide medical/ nutritional emergency aid for refugees and IDP currently fleeing Myanmar into Thailand.

What steps and efforts have you taken so far to advance your project?

I have successfully founded the club with 2 other friends and acquired 20+ student members. In the past year, we have participated in numerous fundraising events and organized our own dance night. In total, we have generated 17,000 Thai baht. Out of this, 10,000 was donated to Philanthropy Connections Foundation where it has gone towards purchasing of a year’s worth of first aid kits and hygiene items (toothpaste, toothbrushes, towels, plastic cups, and soap) for 31 children living in internally displaced peoples' camps in Myanmar. In addition, with the help of a school teacher, I [have] also initiated an annual summer internship program at the Foundation that we donated to and organized teaching workshops with teachers from our international school and those who are teaching refugee camps. 

How did you get interested in this issue? Why does this issue matter to you and should it matter to others? What new insight or learning do you have about this issue?

I live in northern Thailand so this is an issue directly relevant to me as refugees are becoming displaced near me. This is a significant issue because basic human rights are being violated. Moreover, this is a truly interdisciplinary multi-faceted issue because of its historical context and sociology relation. Being privileged enough to attend an international school, I felt very obliged and responsible to make use of my privilege and help those less fortunate.

What impact do you think your project has had? 

We have been able to establish annual programs and opportunities for collaboration outside of the school. Additionally, the school has officially recognized my club as a fundamental one meaning that it will be continued even after I graduate.

What challenges and obstacles have you experienced and how have you addressed these challenges?

A big challenge that we mainly encountered in the first year when the club was established was improper planning which resulted in many last minute chaos before the fundraising event. To address these challenges, this year we have allocated people to specific departments and assigned managers to report back to us, ensuring that everything is on track. Additionally, a secretary who will allocate tasks to them has been assigned.