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Lahu team leader Kyar Shell with his wife and son

On 3 July 2012, Kyar Shell, FBR Lahu relief team leader, died of liver failure
while on a mission helping his people. He leaves behind his wife and young son.
He is loved and will be missed by his family, his team and the people he died
serving.

Kyar Shell was a dedicated leader of one the Lahu FBR relief teams. He joined
FBR in 2004 and served with great dedication until he passed away. Kyar Shell
was a pioneering Lahu team leader leading the first Lahu team in a very challenging
and dangerous area of Shan State. His efforts resulted in saved lives and needed
relief for thousands of Lahu and Shan people. He was a calm, humble man with
keen insight and compassion. He was a man of action who took great risks to
help people in need and never sought fame or glory. He was a servant of man
and God and we learned much of humility, patience and perseverance from him.

Kyar Shell with IDPs while on a relief mission

One time an inter-ethnic dispute broke out and he was falsely blamed. Instead
of fighting for his rights, he calmly explained the situation, respectfully
listened to his adversary and apologized for the way the misunderstanding occurred.
He apologized because he knew that even though he was not guilty, the perception
was that he was and that emotions were too high then for a self-defense. He
was the kind of person who kept the bigger picture in mind and was willing to
be wronged in order to keep the mission going. He knew that his real judge is
God and that in time the truth would be borne out. In this case, his humility
and lack of defensiveness caused his adversaries to calm down and eventually
see the truth and then apologize to him.

With his ability to see many points of view, his thinking the best of others,
his humility, and his perseverance in his main mission, he is an example that
has inspired us all. We thank God for him and look forward to seeing him in
Heaven. We pray for his wife, son and family and are sad that we do not have
him here with us. We know that he is irreplaceable, and we will do our best
to help his family in this time. We will try to serve as he did, with love,
humility and steady persistence.

Thank you and may God bless you,

David Eubank and the Free Burma Rangers

Kyar Shell giving medicine to IDPs while on a mission

The Free Burma Rangers’ (FBR) mission is to provide hope, help and love to internally displaced people inside Burma, regardless of ethnicity or religion. Using a network of indigenous field teams, FBR reports on human rights abuses, casualties and the humanitarian needs of people who are under the oppression of the Burma Army. FBR provides medical, spiritual and educational resources for IDP communities as they struggle to survive Burmese military attacks.

For more information, please visit www.freeburmarangers.org

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Kachin State Leadership and Relief Team Training – 12 New Relief Teams Graduate

12 New FBR teams graduate in Kachin State

On 22 May 2012, 12 new teams graduated from Free Burma Rangers Leadership and
Relief Team training, held in Kachin State. There were Kachin teams, an Arakan
team, a Ta'ang (Palaung) team and an All Burma Student Democratic Front (ABSDF)
team. The teams were trained in many topics, including leadership, basic medical
care, reporting, human rights documentation, video and digital camera use, land
navigation and GPS use, landmine removal, Good Life Club and counseling, physical
training, and rappelling. They then went on a follow-on mission in which they
put on Good Life Club programs, treated patients, documented human rights violations
and did reconnaissance missions of Burma Army activity in the mission area.
Overall, they saw some 12,000 people, helped over 2,000 children, and recorded
Burma Army activity at 15 different camps. We would like to thank the Kachin
Independence Organization (KIO), the Kachin National Organization (KNO), WPN,
the Morse family and Partners Relief and Development (PRAD) for their help and
support of this training.

Explaining the Gobal Day of Prayer for Burma to Kachin IDPs

Good Life Club in Kachin State

GLC team teaches health and anatomy at a program

Arakan team member hands out beads during a GLC program in Kachin State

On 30 November 2011, the families in Zin Lu Ka Gi Village quickly packed what
belongings they could carry and fled their village. The oncoming Burma Army
troops, from Division 88, had 600 soldiers, with horses and mules for carrying
supplies. The six houses of Zin Lu Ka Gi Village would not be an obstacle for
this unit, which had already pushed through the defending Kachin Independence
Army (KIA – pro-democracy resistance) soldiers. One resident interviewed by
our teams, Nam Bauk, together with her husband, Ma La Mai Zau Tu, packed what
she could. However, they were limited by also having to carry the youngest of
their seven children, only one year old. They walked for an hour until they
reached a road and then were able to make their way by foot and motorcycle close
to Maija Yang where camps had been set up for people fleeing attacks. But November
is cold and they realized they needed clothing and other things, especially
for the baby. Ma La Mai Zau Tu decided to go back and see if he could safely
retrieve some of their belongings. At some point after he left, his wife called
him – only to have the phone answered by a strange voice, a man's voice, a voice
that spoke Burmese. The man laughed; he said he was having a drink with her
husband. He hung up. After several days of hearing nothing more, she called
again. This time there was no joking on the other end: "Your husband is dead."

Later Ma La Mai Zau Tu's father went back to see what he could find, to look
for any final sign of – or maybe from – his son. All he found was a pile of
the baby's clothes strewn by the side of the road, where they had been dropped.
Nam Bauk is now left with questions: "Why did they kill him? He wasn't a soldier
– he was a pastor." She lives now in an IDP camp, in a 3-by-3 meter cubicle,
separated from her neighbors on three sides only by a thin sheet of plywood.
New to this situation, she is disbelieving that it can last long – she says,
"This cannot happen in the future. The future will be better."

IDP girl looks out over IDP camp, built in the last several months

A Ranger videos the remains of a villager’s house, burned to the ground by Burma Army troops

Nam Bauk was just one of thousands of people who came to eight Good Life Club
programs conducted by the new FBR teams on this, their first mission. She and
the many others like her whom we met and interviewed both challenged us in our
mission and also deepened it as we were forced to go beyond simply providing
help and consider what it really meant to give hope and love. Psalm 69 says
we should praise and give thanks to the Lord, and that that act of worship is
more to Him than things we have to offer – and it says that the poor also see
this and are glad. What does this look like for us as we are confronted with
the poor, and those 'things' seem like the best answer? The Psalm assures us
the God hears the needy, and that in seeking God our hearts will live – but
this was a question that each team member had to ask and answer in their own
hearts on this mission.

FBR medic treating IDP woman with baby at a GLC program

The mission began with a program at a small Lisu village with around 20 children;
the programs grew progressively until the largest program in Je Yang IDP Camp,
with over 6000 people and around 800 children. By the arrival of the larger
programs we were out of many of the gifts we usually give to the children, including
bead bracelets and t-shirts. The big IDP camps provided a logistics and coordination
challenge that seemed to grow with each succeeding program. As the team met
to discuss the lack of supplies before the biggest program, at Je Yang Camp,
it was a time of assessment. Many other groups are helping in the camps. Many
of them have lots of supplies. Church groups also are helping – the Kachin are
mostly Christian – and these were very experienced in programs and singing.
What did our teams have to offer?

The team leaders talked, sharing frustration at a lack of supplies, concern
that we couldn't give something to everyone, questions about how to manage so
many children; they considered only giving the gifts of sports equipment that
we had brought for the schools and not doing a program. And then, even with
the prospect of facing, empty-handed, 800 children the next day, they decided,
"We are bringing hope and love, we can do this without supplies, we only need
to give what we have, give ourselves, give our love." This was the hard choice,
as many of them came to realize – in their final mission debrief many wrote
that the mission was good, the programs were good – but that they required more
unity, more participation, from the rangers. It was more difficult to give themselves,
to give time, to engage, than to give a shirt or a toy.

We are told to let God go before us and that He wants to lead us to abundant
life. And I know that for the finale program, at Je Yang Camp, many things came
together to make it a good day. The electricity from the nearby town was connected
for the first time and we were able to use a sound system. We were able to do
a run for relief. The team was able to find enough juices and snacks to feed
all the children – twice! The children were encouraged – something of hope and
joy had been passed on – and the team had a renewed faith in all aspects of
their mission.

Kachin State Run for Relief

Kachin State, 6 June 2012: The crowd lining the rocky dirt road, mostly small
children and their mothers, cheered as the young first place runner, flip-flops
in hand, sprinted to the finish. The other runners, girls and boys, followed;
the small children, who had just run their own race, spilled into the road,
and mothers with umbrellas to protect them from the afternoon sun milled around.
The children of Je Yang IDP camp had just completed the first ever Kachin State
Run for Relief.

The Je Yang camp is one of the largest in Kachin State, with an IDP population
of over 6000 people, with over 1000 children. On this day the Free Burma Rangers
started the day with a Good Life Club program that included singing, a health
and anatomy lesson and spiritual teaching. Before the run all the children were
given a snack and drink.

The children were divided by age into two groups, pre-school and primary school.
Most of the high-school–aged students here go to boarding school in a nearby
city and were not present. The FBR teams laid out two courses, one around 400
meters and one three kilometers. We explained the history of the race and how
people from all over the world run to support freedom in Burma.

The older children lined the road to cheer on the younger children for the
first event, then traded places with them and ran their own race. Afterward,
we trooped them back into the shade of the church and handed out prizes to the
first ten finishers.

The Run for Relief started in 2004 in Gig Harbor, WA, in the U.S., in response
to thousands of Karen villagers fleeing attacks of the Burma Army. Since that
time, the races have grown and spread all over the world as the crisis of IDPs
has continued in Burma. The first race in Burma was held in Karen State in 2008
when children from Tha Dah Der Village raced around their rice fields.

On this day we raced with IDP children whose lives as IDPs are new – attacks
in this area are only one year old following the breaking of a 17-year cease-fire
agreement with the Burma Army. They are new to this life and the camps have
sprung up quickly; households are packed together almost on top of each other
and whole families are given a 3 meter by 3 meter space to live in. But in this
race, on this day, despite their current situation, the smiles and enthusiasm
of the children were strong as they pounded over the rocky dirt road, often
barefoot, to celebrate some momentum for fun and freedom and the push of hope
for a better future.

Thank you for your part in this and God bless you,

The Free Burma Rangers

FBR teams on reconnaissance of Burma Army camps

The Free Burma Rangers’ (FBR) mission is to provide hope, help and love to internally displaced people inside Burma, regardless of ethnicity or religion. Using a network of indigenous field teams, FBR reports on human rights abuses, casualties and the humanitarian needs of people who are under the oppression of the Burma Army. FBR provides medical, spiritual and educational resources for IDP communities as they struggle to survive Burmese military attacks.

For more information, please visit www.freeburmarangers.org

© 2010 Free Burma Rangers | Contact FBR

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In the below mentioned areas of Karen State and Shan State, the Burma Government has signed ceasefire agreements with the governing bodies. On 12 January 2012, the Burma Government signed preliminary agreements with the Karen National Union (KNU- Pro-democracy ethnic resistance ) paving the way for future peace talks. On 19 May 2012, the Burma Government signed a ceasefire with the Restoration Council of Shan State in efforts to prevent future fighting. The Burma Army has violated both agreements since their initial signing.

We at FBR pray for all sides of this conflict and look forward to a resolution and to reconciliation for all. This report shows continued attacks but we hope for more talks and for positive change on all sides.

Shooting in Taw Oo (Toungoo) District, Karen State

On 23 June 2012 at 10:00 am, Burma Army soldiers from Light Infantry Division (LID) 66, came to Burma Army Tha Aye Hta Camp. While patrolling on the Kler La/Maw Chi road, soldiers fired at four villagers at a road crossing at Wa Baw Day. Of the four villagers, two villagers were from Hee Daw Kaw Village and two were from Thay Ko Der Village. They were carrying rice from Kler La when they were shot at by the Burma Army, but lost all of their rice while escaping.

The villagers shot at were:

1.  Saw Ah Tar Ra, 45 years old – Thay Ko Der Village
2.  Saw Mae Ka, 25 years old – Thay Ko Der Village
3.  Saw Kyaw Mae, 30 years old – Hee Daw Kaw Village
4.  Saw Bweh Kay, 32 years old – Hee Daw Kaw Village

On 24 June 2012, LID 66 soldiers, stationed at Tha Aye Hta Camp, shot at more than ten villagers on the route between Hee Daw Kaw and Sho Ser; the soldiers then returned to Tha Aye Hta Camp.

On 24 June 2012, a Burma Army helicopter flew over the abandoned B Mi Ko Burma Army Camp three times. The next day, troops from Maw Chi came to B Mi Ko Camp. Over 200 rice sacks were already sent to Tha Aye Hta Camp as of late June, with approximately 5000 more on the way. Burma Army troops are using trucks to transport food.

Shooting and FBR Mission in Shan State

At noon on 31 July 2012 in Naung Lo Village, Maung Paung Township, Burma Army soldiers from Military Operations Command (MOC) 17 ambushed Shan State Army (pro-democracy ethnic resistance) soldiers who were travelling from with an FBR relief team. Two SSA soldiers were killed, and approximately 270 Burma Army soldiers from Infantry Battalion (IB) 132, IB 332, Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 520 and LIB 525 remain in the area. Approximately 100 soldiers from IB 295, LIB 575 and LIB 577 now block the road from Maung Paung Township to Chaung Taung and Linn Khaung.

On 21 June 2012, fighting occurred between Burma Army MOC 17, LIB 575 soldiers and SSA soldiers, killing three Burma Army soldiers and wounding one SSA soldier. The fighting broke out when the soldiers unexpectedly encountered one another outside of Sait Hkaw Village, Khun Hing Township. The SSA soldiers involved in the fighting were travelling with a Free Burma Ranger team, who were on their way to Palaung Village for a Good Life Club program. LIB 575 has 93 soldiers
and is based at nearby Lang Hkur Camp. After the fighting, the second-in-command of LIB 575 sent a letter to the Village headman, asking that villagers notify him when they are traveling through the area to prevent future conflict. Two days later, the same battalion forced two men from Sai Kow Village to serve as guides to Noung Khan Village.

Jai Suu, SSA soldier, sustained a head wound during the attack

Burma Army soldiers patrolling around Sai Kow Village

On a mission in June, a Shan FBR team visited villagers throughout Khun Hing Township. The team treated 37 people in Sai Mon Village and held GLC programs in Sai Mon Village and Sai Kow Village.

A team giving medical treatment to a woman in Sai Mon Village

A boy receiving treatment for malaria in Sai Mon Village

A woman being treated for malaria in Sai Kow Village

A GLC Program in Sai Kow Village

God Bless You,

Free Burma Rangers

The Free Burma Rangers’ (FBR) mission is to provide hope, help and love to internally displaced people inside Burma, regardless of ethnicity or religion. Using a network of indigenous field teams, FBR reports on human rights abuses, casualties and the humanitarian needs of people who are under the oppression of the Burma Army. FBR provides medical, spiritual and educational resources for IDP communities as they struggle to survive Burmese military attacks.

For more information, please visit www.freeburmarangers.org

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Despite Ceasefire Agreements, Burma Army Uses Forced Labor, Continues Military Resupplies and Supports Proxy Force Attacks against the Karen People in Karen State, Burma

Karen State, Burma

9/6/2012

In This Report:

1. Mu Traw District: Fighting continues between KNLA and BGF forces, Burma Army still using forced labor
2. Taw Oo (Toungoo) District and Mergui/Tavoy District (Tenasserim Division): Burma Army troops still force local villagers to supply their troops, and have continued resupplying food, supplies and ammunition
3. Taw Oo (Toungoo) District: Villagers incarcerated and tortured during imprisonment
4. Kler Lwee Htoo (Nyaunglebin) District: Governor of Shwe Gyin uses forced labor in Ma Dauk Village; heavy flooding affects over 1600 homes
5. Hpa-An District: Burma Army troops have ceased patrolling and remain within their camps
6. Doo Tha Htoo (Thaton) District: Military activity has continued with no decrease in military presence

Mu Traw District, Northern Karen State

On 5 August 2012, fighting broke out between Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA – pro-democracy ethnic resistance) soldiers and Burma Army Border Guard Force (BGF) Battalion 1014 in Mae Hsee Village, Bu Tho Township. The fighting killed four BGF soldiers and wounded two KNLA soldiers. According to KNLA Major Kler Doh, the KNLA instructed BGF forces to not build any new military camps and to not attack in the area. Battalion 1014 is led by Maung Gyet and KNLA collected five rifles, one pistol and a communication system from the BGF forces.

As of 14 May 2012, BGF Battalion 1014 (previously led by Maw Nyunt Thin) was based in Meh Pree Village. There, they demanded food from the villagers in Htee Htaw Kee Village, Htee Baw Kaw Village and Meh Pree Kee Village. On 17 May, 2012, they again demanded more food from villagers in Htee Htaw Kee, Meh Pree Kee and Htee Baw Kaw Villages.

Villagers from three villages in the areas were forced to work for the soldiers. Three people from Meh Pree Kee Village, two people from Htee Baw Kaw Village and one person from Htee Htaw Kee Village were recruited for labor. All six people had to cook for BGF soldiers in their camp and carry water on a three-day rotation. BGF Battalion 1013 is commanded by Hla Kyeh and BGF Battalion 1014 was led by Maw Nyunt Thin with Maw Chit serving as the second in command.

Map showing Burma Army and BGF units in Mutraw District, Karen State

Taw Oo (Toungoo) District, Northern Karen State

In Taw Oo District, Burma Army troops remains at their posts in local villages. Despite requests from Karen National Union (KNU – pro-democracy ethnic resistance) leaders to discontinue military activities throughout Karen State in compliance with the 12 January 2012 ceasefire agreement, improvements on the Burma Army outposts continue to take place. FBR team members have reported that Burma Army soldiers have confiscated substantial building supplies and personal belongings, including lumber and bamboo, from local villagers for military resupply.

On 24 April 2012, Infantry Battalion (IB) 35, stationed at Play Hsa Loh Camp, demanded forced labor from villagers in Play Hsa Loh Village, demanding that the villagers cut and transport banana leaves to the nearby Burma Army Camp. Every one of the 65 households in Play Hsa Loh Village had to contribute and carry 3 sheets of banana leafs to help cover structures in the Burma Army camp.

On 1 April 2012, following the closing ceremony of a training in Ba Yit Naung Tak City, Burma Army soldiers fired multiple small handguns and mortars around the camp. As a result, many villagers' crops in the area were damaged, including dogfruit trees, cardamom fields, betel nut fields, areca palm fields, coffee fields.

FBR teams have recently reported that last year, on 15 August 2011, IB 72 of the Burma Army arrested U Tin Myint, a 47-year-old male resident of Shwe Nyaungbin Village. U Tin Myint was accused of deserting the Burma Army and collaborating with the KNU. Formerly a soldier from Battalion 53, U Tin Myint is from Kyauk Kyi Village and has four children. Upon capture by the Burma Army, U Tin Myint falsely reported that Saw Klo Say Doh, 35 years old, and Saw Ko Ko Aung, 37 years old, were also involved in collaborative dealings with the KNU. The families and friends of these men had no idea where they had been taken until November of 2011, at which time they were discovered to be incarcerated in a Taw Oo prison. While held, Saw Klo Say Doh and Saw Ko Ko Aung were repeatedly tortured as they served out their respective sentences. U Tin Myint was sentenced to 20 years incarceration, while the others were dealt sentences of three years. Subsequently, the Burma Army reduced the sentence of U Tin Myint to 15 years imprisonment, and Saw Klo Say Doh and Saw Ko Ko Aung to two years imprisonment.

A Burma Army soldier belonging to Division 66 outside of Kaw Thay Der Village, Htaw Ta Htoo Township, Taw Oo District.

In February 2012, Burma Army Division 66 sent food to Kaw Thay Der Village, Htaw Ta Htoo Township, Taw Oo District.

Mergui/Tavoy District (Tenasserim Division) , Southern Karen State

Ler Mu Lah Township:

FBR teams in the area recently reported that last year, on 9 August 2011, the second-in-command of Burma Army IB 17, Kyaw Lwin, raped a 35-year-old woman from Ka Hpraw Village, Ler Mu Lah Township. She reports that Kyaw Lwin came to her home in Thay Pu Village at midnight with another Burma Army soldier and forced her onto the ground, where he then raped her. She did not report the incident to the village headman.

Ler Doh Soh Township:

Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 292 and Artillery Battalion (AB) 408 are both operating in the area. Since the ceasefire, the Burma Army has resupplied units with ammunition, food and troops. A new Burma Army camp was also built near Myin Kaw Paw Village.

In Ler Doh Soh Township, Italian Thai Development (ITD), a Thai corporation, is building a deep seaport near the city of Dawei as well as building a highway from the seaport to the Thai border, expanding the capacity of the area for international commercial trading. In order to build the seaport and highway, many villagers have moved out of their homes so that the area can be developed by the corporation. Many reports describe instances in which villagers willingly sell their land for a price that they deem appropriate. However, there have also been reports of unfair dealings on behalf of ITD, with both the actual delivery of the compensation and the fairness of the price being questioned. Villagers that have been affected by the construction, commonly known as the Dawei Project, have formed a grassroots committee and demanded that they be compensated for their displacement and loss of crops and plantations appropriately . ITD agreed to compensate those displaced by the project.

Ta Naw Th'ree Township:

Burma Army units are based at the following camps:

• Artillery Battalion 306 Mawtone Camp
• Infantry Battalion 224 Bokepyin Camp
• Light Infantry Battalion 561 Nyaung Camp
• Light Infantry Battalion 556 Zawe Camp
• Light Infantry Battalion 557 Aukkin Camp
• Light Infantry Battalion 558 Kamlie Camp

Infantry Battalion border camps remain in Tee Moo Kee, Mu Ka Paw, Daw Kyi, Thaw Po Mae and Maw Taun. The Burma Army has been collecting taxes from everyone crossing back into Burma from Thailand.

Kler Lwee Htoo (Nyaunglebin) District, Central Karen State

Sein La Maung, the Governor of Shwe Gyin, confiscated 2.5 tons of wood from Aung Aung, a villager from Ma Dauk Village. He forced Aung Aung to use his own bullock carts to transport the wood to the home of Sein La Maung, which required 12 separate carts. Aung Aung was not compensated for his wood, his labor or the use of his bullock carts.

Ler Doh Township

Heavy rains have affected the plains of Ler Doh Township, with ongoing heavy rainfall since the middle of July . Some schools have been closed due to flooding, and ten village tracts have experienced heavy losses. The following village tracts lost several homes; Patala Village Tract has lost 244 houses, Thu Ka Bee Village Tract has lost 52 houses, Noh Gaw Village Tract has lost 172 houses, Weiladaw Village Tract has lost 244 houses, Haythawei Village Tract has lost 250 houses, Toewazeit Village Tract has lost 70 houses, Talayzeik Village Tract has lost 300 houses, Maoopin Village Tract has lost 188 houses, Noh Nya Village Tract has lost 108 houses, and Kamoe-Eg Village Tract has lost 20 houses. In totally, 1648 houses have been lost in Ler Doh Township since mid-July due to heavy flooding. Many people are now in search of food and shelter.

Hpa-an District, Central Karen State

Burma Army troops are remaining within their camps, and have ceased all patrolling. Villagers are free to travel, and no longer feel they are in danger when walking on roads.

Locations of Border Guard Force in the district:

Doo Tha Htoo (Thaton) District, Western Karen State

Military activity continues throughout Doo Tha Htoo District, with LIB 104, Light Infantry Division (LID) 44, IB 2, and LIB 207 all active in the area. LIB 104, with Nay Min Tun serving as the Commander and Zin Ya Moe serving as a Second Commander, are active throughout Doo Tha Htoo Distict, with some troops specifically active in Pa'an Township under the leadership of Zin Ya Moe. LID 44 is commanded by Khin Main Than and is currently stationed at Pa Nwea Klar Camp. IB 2, who is commanded by Aung Naing Oo, recently took the place of LIB 207 at Lay Kay Camp (where the camp leader is General Nyut Win), though later moving onto Yo Klar Camp. The second-in-command of IB 2 also has troops at Yo Klar Camp, where the camp leader is General Aung Htat Soe. FBR teams report no decrease in military activity in the area.

God Bless You,

Free Burma Rangers

The Free Burma Rangers’ (FBR) mission is to provide hope, help and love to internally displaced people inside Burma, regardless of ethnicity or religion. Using a network of indigenous field teams, FBR reports on human rights abuses, casualties and the humanitarian needs of people who are under the oppression of the Burma Army. FBR provides medical, spiritual and educational resources for IDP communities as they struggle to survive Burmese military attacks.

For more information, please visit www.freeburmarangers.org

© 2010 Free Burma Rangers | Contact FBR

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FBR Report: Story of a Shan Ranger

This is one of a series of profiles and stories of FBR ethnic team leaders.

This is the story of many answers to prayer, and God's working in one man's life.  Sai Nawng is married and his first child is on the way; he is the coordinator for all of FBR's Shan teams.  He first came to FBR in 2004, came back and became a team leader and soon was the coordinator for all the Shan teams.  Sai Nawng is a joy to be around, always joking, and can make those around him laugh even across language and cultural barriers – he has brought his team on several headquarters missions in Karen State, for training, and is always ready to help with the children's program, never failing to make the children – and all the mothers around – laugh.  Sai Nawng is humble and willing to help with anything, equally ready to cook for everyone, write a report, translate, or whatever might be required.  He leads the Shan teams like a family, working in some of the most difficult areas of Burma – areas both dangerous and physically challenging to get to.

Sai Nawng at a Good Life Club gathering in Karen State

Here is his story in his own words:

"Originally I was Buddhist and I was converted to a Christian in 2007. Why?  Because a problem came into my life.  I met missionary friend and he said to me that whenever you have a problem or disappointment you should pray to God. And I said I do not know where God is – but I did pray for a test and finally God answered my prayer so I learned that God also tests my faith.

When I became a new believer I was faced with many difficulties: my parents, my friends, my relatives, even my leaders started disliking me. They said, "Hey, why do you change your religion after being with strangers?"  I honestly said to them that I chose my own way and personal belief.  I was even rejected by some friends. They said, "Don't come back here. We don't have rice for you. we don't have water to give."  My father was so sad for me.

Sai Nawng closes a Shan State GLC program in prayer

One experience of this was in 2010 in Shan State while we were on a mission.  After we arrived at the village it was even a miracle that God did not allow me to sit down peacefully but made me anxious so I surveyed the situation and checked the whole area. I did not know what would happen in the coming hours but I felt something, some worry, in my heart.  Though I had no peace at that time, I had come to do the mission and trusted the villagers would take care of our safety.

At that time the Burmese soldiers were coming from another route.  This wasn't normal and what happened next wasn't normal, but God touched my heart so that when I heard dogs barking I could sense that it was not normal at all and I wanted to find out what it was.  I saw a Burmese soldier go across another trail. I could not see very clearly because it was almost dark so I was not sure he whether he was a villager or Burmese soldier and I asked the head of the village who that man was and he said it was just a villager returning from his fields. I prayed to see good things then I sat down and talked with the village head and after a while I heard the dogs barking again so I asked the village head again why the dogs were barking so strangely. He said, no, it's not strange.

However I was sure it was not normal and I put on my shoes and looked out at the village and it was full of Burmese soldiers. This was not a good situation and so I put my computer equipment in my bag and unplugged all the chargers and wires but held them in my hands and went down from the house. My friend, Sai Yod, then said that we had forgotten something so I rushed back into the house and grabbed it. When we were out the door, the Burmese soldiers were coming into the village from every side. Then I prayed to God and said, "Help me Lord!  I have many things in my hands, and wonder if something happens to me if I will still be able to help the villagers on my mission.  I don't want to die now." I closed my eyes and prayed earnestly without paying attention to anything else. I saw the Lord in white clothes standing right in front of me and I went straight at Him.  At that time the Burmese soldiers shot me in the back from about 2-3 meters away. While running the impact of the bullet and my running pushed me into a stream and I felt heat and burning on my back.   I thought I was injured and I patted my back with my hand but the pain was from the computer equipment I carried that had stopped the bullet and shattered, burning my skin (I now still have the scar on my back).

Sai Nawng plays the guitar

As soon as I realized I had survived I said, thank you Lord.  Because they were still firing with guns and heavy arms, I asked God to show me a way.  I was energized by Him and avoided them firing at me and went around to the right side and about 10 minutes later as I reached the hillside I looked back to the village and it was full of Burmese soldiers. They were shining lights all over the village. I found myself completely safe.  I kept praying as I walked on the way.  I think God saved me again, as I had never been here and didn't know the area.  I prayed the whole night, and for my friend also because we were separated from each other. I was thinking very seriously and kept on praying all night long. The next day I found my team but my friend wasn't there.

At about 3:00 PM that day, the village headman came to me and told me sadly, "One of your men was shot in the back and killed by the Burmese soldiers. He was shot twice in the back."  Afterwards, the Burmese soldiers had questioned the village headman about whether my friend was an insurgent; they said he was not because he didn't have any weapons or ammunition. Finally the Burmese soldiers ordered the villagers not to tell anyone about the event or they would come back and kill the village headman.

I escaped and I said thank you to God. I realized that God really blessed me greatly.  Since then I trust in him more and more.  However, I feel very sad for my friend who was killed. He was the camera man and GLC leader. He was very quiet, patient, very cheerful and loved children. I feel sorry for the loss of his life, he was still young and I always think of him until today." (See FBR story on the death of this team member: http://www.freeburmarangers.org/2010/09/29/shan-team-member-gives-his-life-for-love-and-for-freedom/)

Sai Nawng in the office

Sai Nawng continues to lead his teams on difficult missions to some of the more volatile and unpredictable areas of Burma, and he continues to keep us laughing when we are with him.  We thank God for his life and also for his spirit, and for the family that He gives us here on earth that is also eternal.  Thank you for your support and encouragement of Sai Nawng and all of us.

God bless you,

The Free Burma Rangers

Sai Nawng and his wife near their home

The Free Burma Rangers’ (FBR) mission is to provide hope, help and love to internally displaced people inside Burma, regardless of ethnicity or religion. Using a network of indigenous field teams, FBR reports on human rights abuses, casualties and the humanitarian needs of people who are under the oppression of the Burma Army. FBR provides medical, spiritual and educational resources for IDP communities as they struggle to survive Burmese military attacks.

For more information, please visit www.freeburmarangers.org

© 2010 Free Burma Rangers | Contact FBR

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FBR Report: Positive Change and Ongoing Oppression in Burma

9/29/2012

Dear friends, we thank God for all the recent good changes in Burma and congratulate all those who have been recognized for their efforts towards a free, just and reconciled Burma. At the same time oppression continues. Here is an update on current events in Burma and especially how we experience the situation on the ground where the FBR relief teams operate.

 Good news:

1)      Aung San Suu Kyi holds a position in parliament and she along with others has received honors on behalf of the International Community for their dedication to freedom for the people of Burma.

2)      Many political prisoners have been released.

3)      Censorship has been eased and travel restrictions also eased.

4)      There are now ceasefire negotiations ongoing with many of the ethnic groups with an overall reduction in fighting.

5)      Burma Army leaders have signed an agreement to end forced labor and there has been a reduction in some areas.

6)      The FBR had the opportunity to meet leaders of the new government and this is a positive step.

At the same time there is ongoing bad news:

1)      Burma Army attacks against the Kachin continue with over 70,000 Kachin people displaced by over 100 Burma Army battalions in northern Burma.

2)      In the Shan State fighting and displacement continues and in the southern Shan State there have been over 30 clashes between the Burma Army and Shan resistance this year. FBR medics have given medical treatment to many of those wounded in these attacks by the Burma Army.

3)      In the Karen State the Burma Army has used the ceasefires to supply their camps beyond the normal supply rate and continue to use forced labor. They have also built three new camps in violation of the ceasefire agreement. Border Guard Forces under the authority of the Burma Army have continued attacks in Karen State.

4)  As of this report, at least 311 political prisoners remain under arrest.* Censorship laws such as the Electronic Transactions Act remain in effect as does the threat of arbitrary arrest. *AAPP report.

5)  In Arakan State 80,000 people have been displaced by inter-ethnic violence between the Rohingya and Arakan. This has been partially fueled by repressive Burma Government policies.

6) Humanitarian access is still blocked in many areas of Burma.

In our view, we see two things happening at once, positive change and ongoing repression. The FBR will continue giving help, hope and love to those under attack, to get the news out and to stand with the oppressed. We pray for changes and will continue to develop the beginning of a relationship we have with some in the new government, as well as with Aung San Suu Kyi and others, for the purpose of reconciliation, justice and freedom for all.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

God bless you,

David Eubank

Free Burma Rangers

The Free Burma Rangers’ (FBR) mission is to provide hope, help and love to internally displaced people inside Burma, regardless of ethnicity or religion. Using a network of indigenous field teams, FBR reports on human rights abuses, casualties and the humanitarian needs of people who are under the oppression of the Burma Army. FBR provides medical, spiritual and educational resources for IDP communities as they struggle to survive Burmese military attacks.

For more information, please visit www.freeburmarangers.org

© 2010 Free Burma Rangers | Contact FBR

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FBR Report: Tens of Thousands Displaced by Violence in Arakan State, Western Burma

Communal violence and displacement in Arakan State has been ongoing for four months between the predominantly Buddhist Arakanese population and the predominantly Muslim Rohingya population, who are widely considered in Burma to be unlawful Bangladeshi immigrants and are denied citizenship by the government.

Donating food to children at Grate Chay Monastery IDP Camp in Sittwe

FBR stands for freedom, dignity and justice for all people of all faiths and ethnicities living in Burma, and we pray and hope for reconciliation amongst the Arakanese and Rohingya, and all people in Burma.  Information for this report comes from Arakanese FBR teams working through the Arakan Liberation Party.

There have been tensions for many years between Arakanese and Rohingya people, many of whom live in the same villages.  The recent violence was sparked when a young Arakanese woman was allegedly raped and murdered by three Muslim men on 28 May 2012 in Kyauk Ni Mor Village, Ramree Township, Arakan State.  On 3 June 2012, a group of Arakanese people attacked a bus in Towngoo Township and killed 10 Muslim people who were inside.  On 8 June 2012 in Maung Daw Township, riots resulted in multiple burned villages and some deaths.  The violence has caused many to become homeless or to flee their homes, with tens of thousands displaced.  Up to 80,000 people have been displaced as of the end of August, according to the UN’s Office for the Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).  Most of these are Rohingya people living in camps outside Sittwe, the capital of Arakan State.

FBR medic giving medical treatment in Kyauk Taw Township

Further violence through August and September has been reported from Sittwe and townships including Maung Daw and Kyauk Taw.  In recent weeks many Arakanese internally displaced people (IDPs) have returned home, though they still face food shortages and other problems.  Many have returned to areas where Arakanese and Rohingya live in close proximity, meaning many are afraid of renewed violence.  There still many IDPs remaining in Sittwe, Kyauk Taw, and other areas.

Surviving Children at IDP Camp

In all these areas IDPs are in need of emergency food, medical care, clothes and shelters.  FBR teams are working in Maung Daw, Buthidaung and Rathedaung Townships to provide emergency relief.  They are also working with local NGOs to provide help in Sittwe.  The FBR is working and praying for understanding, reconciliation and help for all those in need.

God bless you,
Arakan FBR Teams

The Free Burma Rangers’ (FBR) mission is to provide hope, help and love to internally displaced people inside Burma, regardless of ethnicity or religion. Using a network of indigenous field teams, FBR reports on human rights abuses, casualties and the humanitarian needs of people who are under the oppression of the Burma Army. FBR provides medical, spiritual and educational resources for IDP communities as they struggle to survive Burmese military attacks.

For more information, please visit www.freeburmarangers.org

© 2010 Free Burma Rangers | Contact FBR

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Burma Army Captures Civilians and Rapes Women as Fighting Continues in Kachin State

23 October, 2012

Kachin State, Burma

 

Map showing area of report

There are still over 70,000 IDPs (Internally Displaced People) in Kachin State because of the continuing violence in the area. In recent weeks, thousands of IDPs that were taking shelter on the Chinese side of the border have now been forced back into conflict areas in Kachin State. Fighting has now continued for 16 months, since the unraveling of a 17-year ceasefire between the Burma Army and the KIA (Kachin Independence Army) on 9 June 2011. The ceasefire between the two groups was effectively ended when Burma Army Battalions 437 and 438 attacked a KIA post in Sang Gang, Momauk Township in eastern Kachin State. During a speech in the United States on 27 September 2012, President Thein Sein reiterated that the government has placed the cessation of armed conflict with minority groups as a high priority, emphasizing that he has specifically ordered the Burma Army to stop attacks in Kachin State. However, Burma Army attacks in Kachin State have continued ever since last yea r.

These attacks include human rights violations such as the raping of women. On 8 July 2012, soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 321, Infantry Battalion (IB) 28, and IB 37 raped a 58-year-old woman (name withheld for victim's protection) from Hpa Re Village in the Pang Wa area. She is married with one child. Burma Army soldiers also raped a 39-year-old who is a widowed mother of 12.

The active Burma Army units in the Pang Wa area include battalions IB 34, IB 37, and IB 74 (all of which are sent from Myitkyina), and LIB 382 and LIB 374 (coming from Nam Ma Township), totaling 700 soldiers. In addition, Border Guard Forces (BGF) remain active in the area. In this area, the Burma Army has been firing 60 mm, 81mm and 120 mm mortars; mortars often land in new IDP hide sites and injure civilians. On 25 May 2012, three villagers (including two children) named Zau Chyang (13 years old), Bawn Myaw (47 years old) and Zau Lang (15 years old) were hit with mortar shrapnel from a 120 mm mortar round. In response to fighting in this area, in June at least 600 new IDPs fled towards the border. These IDPs lack sufficient food, clothing and medical attention.These attacks include human rights violations such as the raping of women. On 8 July 2012, soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 321, Infantry Battalion (IB) 28, and IB 37 raped a 58-year-old woman (name wit hheld for victim's protection) from Hpa Re Village in the Pang Wa area. She is married with one child. Burma Army soldiers also raped a 39-year-old who is a widowed mother of 12.

Kachin villagers have also been subject to unlawful captures and torture. On 1 June 2012, BGF Battalion 1001 arrived at Tang Gaw Village and captured 34-year-old Tang Gaw Ting Sau, a Kachin pastor with two sons and a wife. His wife recounted how Burma Army soldiers covered his eyes and beat him after they captured him. He was imprisoned for his alleged association with the KIA. As of the latest report, Burma Army soldiers are still holding him captive.

On 29 May 2012, IB 37 captured 13 villagers from Hpa Re Village and forced them to serve as porters. They were forced to carry water, army supplies and food. The villagers were bound with rope at night and tied together while they walked during the day. Their names are as follows:

1. Kyang Ting Sau

2. Sau Lang

3. Hkaw Ting

4. Guo Ding Sau

5. Ting Htang

6. Bawm Ying Ting

7. Sau Sang Ting

8. Luk Chyang Sau

9. Yaw Ting Lang – 16 years old

10. Hpaw Sau Chyang,- 15 years old

11. Zi Din Sau

12. Ying Wang

13. Sau Ying – 15 years old

Nine of the 13 villagers escaped and fled to a KIA-controlled area for safety. As of late July, four villagers were still being held by the Burma Army. The four who did not escape were Bawm Ying Ting, Kyang Ting Sau, Hkaw Ting and Luk Chyang Sau.

On 21 May 2012, villagers fled from Hpa Re Village, which is comprised of 146 houses that are home to 570 people. Every member of that village was forced to flee and sought shelter at an IDP site on the Chinese side of the border. Despite IDPs being on the Chinese side of the border, at 4:30 pm on 13 June 2012, Burma Army soldiers opened fire with machine guns and one man living at the IDP site was shot in the leg while he was out gathering firewood.

 

Children in IDP Camp 6, which has grown in recent months due to fighting near Pang Wa.

The situation in Kachin State remained volatile through August and September. On 16 August 2012, fighting erupted between approximately 100 Burma Army soldiers from LIB 37 and 70 KIA soldiers stationed at KIA Camp 6 at Pang Wa. On 17 September 2012 in La Ja Yang, fighting between the KIA and Burma Army soldiers from IB 105 and IB 236 started at 5:45 am and continued throughout the day.

God bless you,

Kachin Free Burma Rangers

The Free Burma Rangers’ (FBR) mission is to provide hope, help and love to internally displaced people inside Burma, regardless of ethnicity or religion. Using a network of indigenous field teams, FBR reports on human rights abuses, casualties and the humanitarian needs of people who are under the oppression of the Burma Army. FBR provides medical, spiritual and educational resources for IDP communities as they struggle to survive Burmese military attacks.

For more information, please visit www.freeburmarangers.org

© 2010 Free Burma Rangers | Contact FBR

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JSMK staff complete a two-week course on newborn resuscitation, X-ray and ultrasound imaging.

On 17-29 September 2012, the Free Burma Rangers' Jungle School of Medicine Kawthoolei (JSMK) staff, consultants and some students participated in a hands-on medical training to learn about newborn resuscitation protocols as well as basic X-ray and ultrasound imaging procedures. They were joined by three nurses from Partners Relief and Development (PRAD) and three visiting health professionals.

JSMK's new digital X-ray system was set up and an experienced radiographer, Michael, taught how to safely and properly obtain images for many commonly requested X-rays: posterior/anterior chest, lateral chest, skull, cervical, abdominal flat plate and long bones. He also donated a new manual describing how to set up these shots. Students practiced using the system by carefully taking a few X-ray images of each other. The capacity to provide digital X-ray images combined with JSMK's ability to send out these images over the internet to medical consultants around the world will provide a unique and much-needed service to the entire region.

Infant mortality is another huge problem inside Burma. Simple but effective neonatal resuscitation protocols were taught over the course of two days. Teachers brought mannequin babies that could simulate breathing, cord pulsation and crying so that the students could practice protocols with simulated inputs at critical decision points.

Finally, four portable ultrasound machines were used to teach JSMK staff basic ultrasound sonography. Students learned how to use ultrasound imaging to evaluate abdominal trauma, look for kidney stones, diagnose deep abscesses, assist in placing IV lines and nerve blocks and, most importantly, to evaluate obstetrical cases. JSMK has an ultrasound machine on site that staff and students can use to apply their new skills.

JSMK is in its second year of operation. The one-year program uses supervised clinical interactions and a problem-based curriculum to teach medical fundamentals to FBR medics. In the morning students take care of patients both in a clinic setting and in a hospital setting. Competent supervision is critically important as students begin to assume responsibility for patient care. To do this, students are divided into three groups. A junior staff member is assigned to each group and is in turn monitored by a senior staff member. FBR doctors and nurses are on site as much as possible providing consultation, guidance and encouragement. In the afternoon, students attend more formal lectures based on a problem-based curriculum. This means that lectures in anatomy, physiology, disease processes, diagnostic decisions and treatments are all organized according to common problems that patients present with in the field.

This year, JSMK has enrolled 18 medics. From January to September: JSMK clinic treated 757 patients (109 younger than 5 years old), JSMK hospital treated 269 patients (80 younger than 5 years old)

One patient's report was: "I came to JSMK and received good care. I was so thankful that I could be treated there and did not have to go to another country for care."

In addition, this past year, FBR's medical program participated in a short training for Kachin medics, one for southern Karen State FBR teams, and one for Shan medics.

FBR is constantly tracking medical data from its field medics and using this data to better improve the choice of medicine, supplies and training for medics.

Thank you and God bless you, the FBR medical team

The Free Burma Rangers’ (FBR) mission is to provide hope, help and love to internally displaced people inside Burma, regardless of ethnicity or religion. Using a network of indigenous field teams, FBR reports on human rights abuses, casualties and the humanitarian needs of people who are under the oppression of the Burma Army. FBR provides medical, spiritual and educational resources for IDP communities as they struggle to survive Burmese military attacks.

For more information, please visit www.freeburmarangers.org

© 2010 Free Burma Rangers | Contact FBR

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