Going Home Where We Belong: November 2009

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

The GH Book Comments / Review

# 6

Poe Shan ( Thailand )

Most situation reports describe the suffering of the Karen people, and then it's easy to mislead the readers to believe that the Karen people are helpless, disorganized and can't do anything without outside help. Instead of showing only the suffering of Karen people, this book “Going Home Where We Belong: Stories of Resilience and Hope”, - shows how the Karen people suffer, but how they survive, resist, and keep their dignity, their hope, and their communities alive.

(I agree with Klihsree from ( University of Maryland ) comment, because there are many pictures of you.)

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Friday, November 6, 2009

Review/Comments on the GH photo-documentary Book

# 5

When I first met the Karen people in 1989 I was deeply moved by their qualities of hope, courage, and faith in the face of great adversity. Added to that was their inner strength and determination to live in a free and just society. The example of the Karen people is a gift to the whole world.

The photo/journal, Going Home Where We Belong, by May Oo and Nieneh Plo speaks volumes to those qualities as the Karens "look toward a brighter future".

Everyone interested in young people who are determined to end oppression and injustice should read this book.

Steven E. Hulme,
Executive Director
Karen Emergency Relief Fund, inc.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Reviews / Reflections on the GH Photography-documentary Book

# 4

"...the pictures are powerful and the stories are compelling. However, objectively speaking, I think there are too many of your pictures in the book. It's not necessarily a bad thing, especially this is your first publication, but I think half of what you have put in would do the job. People will still know who you are. If you want the book to be about the people, then I think it might be something to consider in the future. If it's more about you, then I think you need to put more of your pictures..."

Klihsree (University of Maryland)

Reviews / Reflections on the GH Photography-documentary Book

# 3

"...the book arrived yesterday--wow! I have to say I didn't know what to expect but I am overwhelmed with the power of the story and the photos. I looked through it last night and I will spend much more time with it over the coming days and weeks. ..."

Daine (UC Davis), California

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Review / Reflection on the Going Home Book

# 2

Thomas (Australia)

"I finished the book,well done,very strong passages, strong emotions, sometimes pathos takes over (revolutionary style), bit Angels & Demons bipolarity..certainly the book is intended to stir up and energize for recruiting support or keeping up morale..it makes the reader wanna know more and dip deeper(maybe that was intended)...."

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WELCOME

Welcome to Going Home Blogspot!

The idea of Going Home Where We Belong comes from those who have been away from a place considered home, a place we belong to and a place we feel warm to be at. We believe that everyone shares this common feeling about home although we may understand ‘home’ in different ways.

With the three main objectives – to share, to learn, and to bond – we created this program so that everyone away from home can take part. We hope to be able to carry out this program annually, especially with the intention to bring together all Karen/Karenni students and youths and help them organize summer trip to go home where we belong.

And, this program welcomes anyone who would like to join. There is no formal procedure as to how you can join. The following is a few questions if you are thinking to join:

1) Are you willing to do what you can for your people and for your country?
2) Are you willing to contribute to the struggle of your peoples byway of donating books and other educational supplies? This is especially for our children, young students, who are fleeing from the Burmese soldiers (Yes, I mean SPDC soldiers!), hiding, and going to school at the same time so that they can at least read and write.
3) Are you willing to invest your time (summer) and your money (for your airfare) in order to be a part of a greater struggle of your people for freedom and peace? This may sound big, but please remember many of our people are sacrificing their lives.

Generally, if you can answer yes to all the above questions, you are pretty much prepared to join Going Home program. Please note that we do not question whether you have any skill or ability to do anything, for we believe that everyone of us have unique talents and skills and we each can do many things – big and small – to help others.

The great American civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. said: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Let us do anything we can in defense of justice – for the Karens in particular and for Burma as a whole. After all, we rise as one nation and we will fall as one nation, for we all share the stake in this country we so much love.

Please feel free to contact our coordinating team with any questions, ideas, and suggestions you might have, either to join or to better the program.

Thank you very much.

Coordinating Team – Going Home Where We Belong
nawmayoo@gmail.com (USA, IN)
neinehplo@gmail.com (USA, IN)
sawkapi@yahoo.com (USA, MD)
sawvic@yahoo.com (Aus.)