In Mon and Karen, teachers take a stand
We received the following messages from two teachers who have been helped by the donation fund that you have so generously provided to Better Burma. One is Mon ethnicity, while the other is Karen. Both are female public school teachers who have taken tremendously courageous stands by refusing to return to work, no matter the consequences, so that the military cannot be seen to have any power to return society to normal after their own highly abnormal actions of terror, torture, and murder. We thank these teachers for taking the time to share their voice and express their gratitude, and we thank the translation team for allowing English speaking donors to read their words. As many of these teachers on CDM can only continue their stand by remaining in ever-deeper hiding, and as their resources grow ever slimmer, your contribution allows them stay safe.
“I’m a Mon teacher in the public schools. I’ve been hiding for a long time now. I’m scared to stay at my family home because of the rumors that the soldiers will jail anyone who is striking. I have not been feeling very well and I feel like a burden to my friend who is letting me stay with them. I’m not sure where to go next. The school administrator keeps telling me that he will fire me. But it doesn’t work. I joined CDM because I’m not scared of being fired.”
“I’m 24 and I work at [Redacted] school in Hpa-an. I am Karen. I joined CDM in March to abolish the illegal military council that murders civilians and assaults women. I am a feminist. Another reason I joined CDM is to stop the day-to-day mechanisms of the generals. The best way to support striking teachers workers is financial support and it will give us strength to keep going in this fight. Thank you for your help to us!”