New and Improved: Teaching ESL to Burmese Karen this Fall

Refugee Education Partners is excited to be able to continue teaching ESL to the Burmese Karen refugee community this coming fall and are looking forward to starting on Tuesday September 20, 2011. This year, we will be teaching ESL after school from 3-5pm on Tuesdays & Thursdays instead of on Saturdays to accommodate students' homework help needs. Our class roster is up to almost 50 students from 35 last year so your help is very much needed! We have been welcomed back at Southwark Elementary School (1835 S. 9th Street) in South Philly which is easily accessible by Septa. Hope that you will be able to volunteer with us again this year! For more information, please contact Kim Leichtner at kim.leichtner@gmail.com.

Literary Event A Success: Over $600 raised for USCB

Commentary by Philadelphia Poet and Burma Activist: Michelle Tooker

As a poet, I often think about how I censor myself. What will my family think if I write a poem about a traumatic experience that happened in my childhood? How will my acquaintances react to my work? Will it negatively change people’s opinions of me? These are minor issues of self censorship that I can and always overcome, but what about the people of Burma? They must face censorship every day and the consequence for truly expressing their creativity is incarceration. But still, so many sacrifice their physical freedom in order to freely express themselves.

My goal in planning the Artists Against Censorship event, which served as the Philadelphia chapter's annual fundraiser, was to help bring the artists and writers in Burma one step closer to the creative freedom they deserve. The event showcased a diverse range of voices and was successful at raising awareness about Burma and the censorship issues occurring within the country. Both the performers and audience recognized that the very creative freedom they were expressing or witnessing cannot happen in Burma. Just knowing that was enough to leave everyone determined to help free the people of Burma.

A special thanks to Susan for helping to organize and plan the event, and Marj for donating the wonderful assortment of items from Burma and other countries that were used in the silent auction and also sold at the event. Thanks also to Rosemary for helping to assemble the raffle baskets and Todd for showing his support at the event. Thanks again to everyone who attended, participated in and helped to organize the event. We put Burma in the hearts and minds of many new people.

Annual Fundraiser Now Includes a Silent Auction

In addition to poetry and music a silent auction is being held Thursday at the Moonstoone Art Center on 13th Street (between Chestnut and Sansom) featuring handcrafted bags, jewelery, clothing, table mats, table runners, hats and scarfs from Burma, Thailand, Mexico and Guatemala to help raise funds for US Campaign for Burma. Payment made using cash or check only please. We do not have credit card capability.

You don't want to miss this important fundraising opportunity to support the national chapter and raise awareness of Burmese poets, comedians and artists who remain censored and in prison by their "civilian government."

"Please use your liberty to promote ours."

Aung San Suu Kyi

August 25, 2011 - Artists Against Censorship

Artists Against Censorship: A Literary Event

Thursday, August 25, 2011

5:30-8:30 p.m.

Moonstone Arts Center

110A S. 13th Street

Philadelphia, PA 

$5 - admission fee

Poet Saw Wei was imprisoned for two and a half years for hiding an anti-government message in a poem. Mao Thawka, also a poet, died while serving 20 years for writing a poem critical of the military. Burmese comedian Zarganar is serving a 35-year sentence for publicly criticizing the government’s failure to assist victims of Cyclone Nargis.

These men and those currently in prison are the unsung heroes of Burma. They have been censored and wrongfully imprisoned by their government for speaking the truth.

In 2005, I visited Yangon, the former capital of Burma. I quickly fell in love with the lush landscapes and gilded pagodas dotting the horizon, but it was the interaction I had with the Burmese people that most inspired me. They are the most resilient and welcoming people I’ve met in any country I’ve visited. As a poet and writer, I value my creative freedom. The people of Burma deserve theirs too.

So join me (Michelle Tooker), Tamara Oakman and members of the Philadelphia Chapter of the U.S. Campaign for Burma in raising awareness on this issue and $3,938—$2 for each political prisoner.

The event will include performances by:
-David Dill
-Ellie Hutchison
-Bonnie MacAllister
-Kelly McQuain
-Quincy Scott Jones
-Michelle Reale
-Paul Siegell
-Eric Smith

There will also be a presentation by the U.S. Campaign for Burma, 

an open mic, raffles and light refreshments for sale

***All proceeds benefit the U.S. Campaign for Burma***

Burmese Water Festival in South Philadelphia!

Please join us in celebration of the Burmese Water Festival!

Saturday, April 30^th

12:00pm to 2:00pm

(Rain date: May 1^st)

Palumbo Park

723 Catherine Street

Philadelphia, PA 19102

*It's a potluck - bring some food or drink to share!*

Program:

• Acknowledge REP volunteers & recognize the ESL students!
• Celebrate with local Burmese community
• Enjoy water activities for kids (water balloon toss and bobbing for apples)
• Eat delicious food and enjoy Spring - a time of renewal!
• Collect donations for the ESL School

Please bring school supplies for the children or consider making a donation!

Anyone able to make a donation to help fund Refugee Education Partners (ESL Saturday School) and this special event (food, drink and activities), please consider contributing! Our organization does not have a funding source and is usually only funded by the USCB Philadelphia members. To donate to this event, please use PayPal - it's very easy! Let's make this event a success!

USCB Philadelphia local chapter meets February 27, 2011

Join us this Sunday at 3:30 PM at Susan Zingale-Baird's home 3950 Vaux Street, Philadelphia, PA to generate ideas on how to raise awareness of Aung San Suu Kyi and Burma. Other agenda topics include:

•  an update on the Saturday School in South Philadelphia, Kim Leichtner, coordinator will provide us with an update
• US Campaign for Burma Annual meeting to take place at George Washington University in DC, April 2 & 3, 2011. There is some talk of of a USCB officer from the national chapter attending the meeting (no confirmation as of yet).
• Current affairs in Burma update by our dear friend Arn Spector

Please spread the word and bring a friend. The work is not done until the cows go home (AKA the generals step aside and the people's voice is heard).

Call Susan 215-848-1382 for directions.

April 2 & 3, 2011 - Save the Date!

U.S. Campaign for Burma's National Organizing Meeting to be held at George Washington University, Washington, DC

Click HERE for more information!

The U.S. Campaign for Burma would like to invite you to its annual National Organizing Meeting which will be held on April 2 & 3, 2011 at George Washington University in Washington, DC.

The purpose of this meeting is to raise awareness about Burma's ongoing human rights abuses in Burma, to implement a post election strategy, and to educate and empower activists and supporters of Burma's pro-democracy movement to speak out and to take a stand.

We would like everyone who is, or would like to be, active in Burma issues to gather in Washington DC to learn how to build a stronger movement for democracy and human rights in Burma.

 At the National Organizing Meeting you will:
* Get updates on Burma's post election strategy and release of Aung San Suu Kyi.
* Hear and engage with leading human rights practitioners, policy makers and scholars.
* The screening of a brand new documentary, "The Burma Soldier", directed by Nic Dunlop.
* Learn about campaign and lobbying strategies.
* Learn about how you can get more involved in our campaigns.
* meet and network with others in the movement.
...and more.

Here is a glimpse of the tentative schedule:April 2, 2011 - Plenaries, workshops and film screening
April 3, 2011 - Advocacy training day (optional)
April 4, 2011 - Lobby day (optional).
More details will follow.

Please sign up early to get a discounted price.