The Escape of Burmese Refugees

 

My team was invited to do two presentation at a school for Burmese refugee children. We each also got to teach a class. I taught leadership and the Myers Briggs for teenagers ages 13-15. I also spoke to them regarding the importance of education in rising above their economic circumstances. Although I came with the intention to educate, I left learning about the crisis of the Burmese refugees. *We learned that every one of the teachers were refugees that had escaped from Burma. One of the refugees who had only been out of Burma for seven months told us about the oppression of her life back home. She remembers being at home with government officials threatening her family. She told us that the government officials would show up at her home and ask to eat their animals. They would have no choice, but to kill their animals then and there for the officials. The officials would also force the people in their community to grow crops within an unreasonable timeline and if they couldn't, they would be put in jail.
According to Burmeserefugee.org: "The Burmese government continues to exploit its people through forced labor and conscription, excessive taxation, physical and sexual abuse, and restrictions on political and economic freedom. The military junta, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), is extracting the country's natural resources and using the proceeds for excessive military and security programs, expensive capitol projects and corruption, while decreasing support to health, education and food production."
Because of the abuse the Burmese have experienced, they are escaping to nearby countries. One of the teachers told us of how she squished in a taxi with about ten to fifteen people to leave the country. She and her husband are thankful to be in Malaysia now and she is teaching English, Math, and Science to about 150 Burmese children in hopes of improving their lives. The school is funded by local churches and individual donations. Government oppression is still a global issue, what are some global solutions?

*For purposes of confidentiality, the name of the teachers and the school will not be revealed.