Supporting Teachers in Mandalay: Thank You!
We have been sending part of the donation fund to support teachers throughout Mandalay who are nonviolently resisting the illegal military takeover. The volunteer assisting us in these efforts has written a brief summary of their background and work, and sent along some photographs showing the financial support being offered— unable, of course, to show anyone’s face as this would immediately put people at risk.
“Mandalay University, the second oldest university in Myanmar, has never failed its glory. Since the military overthrew the civilian government and took over the power in February 1, a lot of civilians, including the staff from Mandalay University, have joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) as a mean of peaceful protest against the junta. They have risked their jobs, income and security. On May 21, a total of 388 faculty members and administrative staffs from Mandalay University were removed from their positions for joining this movement supporting democracy and justice.
In order to support the CDM heroes, our group, called the ‘CDM Support Group for Mandalay University,’ in collaboration with Mandalay University Students’ Union, have raised a total fund of around 200 lakh MMK, and have provided financial support to CDM-ers in need. We have provided 30,000 MMK to a total of 272 staffs within 6 rounds of CDM support. And, 1 lakh each for faculty members and 30000 mmk each for part-time tutors have also been supported to meet their financial needs. We, the ‘CDM Support Group,’ have also provided bereavement support of 50,000 MMK to CDM heroes who has lost their beloved family members during this difficult time. And, we used 500000 mmk for transportation cost and travel expense of CDMers.
After using the funds raised for the CDM-ers in need, we have a total of 2,583,258 MMK left. As you may know, this fight for democracy will take a good amount of time and courage to bring success. But, we will hang on and keep fighting till we get democracy and justice as rewards. And I would like to urge all of you to stand together with us and support us in this fight.
Although our group is founded to support CDM staffs and Teachers from University of Mandalay, we are planning to extend the financial support to High School Teachers from Mandalay. Same as in Higher Education, thousands of teachers from basic education have been removed from their positions. Moreover, the illegal State Administration Council (SAC) ordered the private and international schools not to appoint any CDM Teachers. Therefore, the high school Teachers who joins Civil Disobedience Movement have been violated their right to work anywhere, at anytime, for anyone… unless our elected leadership is restored.
Our group will also support high school teachers from Mandalay for their living. Your donations and contributions will benefit those brave teachers who have decided to go back to school only when the military dictatorship ends.”
