Time to leave

Thanksgiving is over and our grandchildren have gone back to their homes; so hard for us to let them go. Hard also to imagine in two weeks, we will be in Mae Sot, back to our other kids and the Clinic. The summer is over before it has started. Cathy was back in May and we embarked on a garden fix-up, saw as much as we could of the family, wrote and published the news letter, had a very convivial Flag raising, attended Arts For Peace and had a great PUB garage sale at Eric and Cathy’s. Our thanksgiving is never over for all our friends who do so much to support PUB and make all this possible – what will be the promise and the message for the end of this year and into the next?

First once we are there the buildings will need to be looked at. In Mae Lah a sudden flood, swept away the boys dorm. No one was hurt and no one drowned – thank God – but the building has gone and will need to be replaced. Then there are the washrooms at the Teaching Centre; today inadequate for the numbers there. Then the school supplies, clothing, reviewing our computers and the internet connections, deciding on the outlook for a virtual classroom, connecting to Georgian maybe or Lakehead and a syllabus there and for our teachers, and looking to how this difficult society is poised now and how it will be in the months to come and how we can integrate our students into this changing world. There will be a lot to do for Cathy and Cathy and Eric.

Frank Brewster will be there for the whole of November, dividing his time between the Learning Centre and the Clinic. In the Clinic, a worthwhile direction we think we should take to improve pain control, which would need a political change on the part of the Thais, maybe a reasonable job for someone getting too decrepit for a more active role and here at home at OSMH – we are wondering about starting a Burmese Medical Club of interested medics after presenting Grand Rounds just recently.

To our supporters – thank you so much. To keep you up to date, we will be sending regular progress letters to you unless you would prefer not to have them, in which case, perhaps you could let us know by e-mail.

Cathy & David

www.projectumbrellaburma.com

Dear Friends,
I never know what these kids are up to next!! With PUB's money I bought their computer teacher a goodish u-tube video camera - once again leaping them into the modern world. Their teachers Avish and Snow have produced the below which I just love! Hope you will click on these links and see your kids in action and get to know them a bit. Having done nothing except provide them with the equipment I have no right to be proud but am - very- and you should be too!! Your funding has made this leap possible.
Good job teachers and students of KTBLC and friends of PUB! We have come so far. I am amazed.

Pi Cathy D.

PS I leave Wednesday for the Border. Cathy and Eric will be joining us for graduation on March 23rd and David for now, and the PUB Board and Lindsay, will keep the home fires burning.



Sent: Friday, January 28, 2011 8:15 PM
Subject: Speak Karen to Reach Karen (A series of video project from KTBLC)

Click on the link below to watch students teaching Karen, this is a project as a partial fulfillment of the course 'Spoken English'.
These videos will be of high interest to those who aspire to work with Karen people along the borderline. Learning basic karen will be an effective tool and hope this will make their experience worth while. I request you all to kindly refer this to your friends who may benefit from this. More videos still in the making......




Eh Ku Paw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ifn6l03YZjY



Eh Ku Paw-2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbXRwyFO8oc

Day Mu Chi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D865qsnMl04



NU Paw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBm0eHM8X2s

Hei Gler Htoo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQC9SNsQV54

San San Myint
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LStzAJOIhs

Lah K'Paw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdcfjvLntPA

Paw Ku Say
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQVuWRdBmUE

Wi Lai Phorn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn9PIyt92eg

Views of PUB's investments

Dear Friends of Project Umbrella Burma,
Last January we spent $2000. to purchase a 3.5 acre hillside (through a Thai Karen) that had good water. We have a farmer that works with us for his food. When there is clearing, planting or harvesting, our young students do the work. The two pictures attached show what they have already accomplished. They are presently eating soup gourds and pumpkin, lettuce cilantro -other greens. They have planted many trees - Banana, Lime, Pomela, Cashew, Mango, Papaya and others I can't remember. In the October picture you will see green lentils in the foreground. Also lemongrass, long beans, cucumbers. 3 huge bags of Soya bean seeds went in last week. We now have 3 huge Rice paddy areas loaned to us and will begin the harvesting Monday and will to have enough rice for college and hostel for 4 months. They finished the rice storage building concrete floor/rat proof walls etc. last weekend.
Enough. Thank you for your donations that have paid for seeds, young trees, tools etc.
Best to all,
Cathy in Mae Sot
PS The kids are also doing well in their studies!

PUB July 2009-July 2010

Low Res Newsletter

City of Orillia will hold their third annual raising of the Karen Flag

On July 2nd, 2010 at 10:00 am the City of Orillia and Project Umbrella Burma will hold their third annual raising of the Karen Flag to commemorate all those who have died, lost their homes and livelihoods as a result of the actions of the Burmese Military under the direction of the the Military Junta, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) and to remember those Karen and other Burmese Ethnic groups who are still suffering the burning,and pillaging of their villages, systematic rape and forced portering and forced relocation. We raise the Karen Flag as an international responsibility to give awareness and hope.

The Packet & Times Jan 26, 2010

BURMA VJ: Monday Sept 28 10p CBC Toronto

We have been trying to get this important, multi-award winning documentary, BURMA VJ: REPORTING FROM A CLOSED COUNTRY to be shown in our area and we have just learned that it will be shown on CBC Newsworld at 10pm on Monday September 28th (for those like myself who are used to being asleep by 10:00pm, have a nap and stay up .I promise it will be worth it) We will also continue to try to get it shown in the Orillia area.
This is eastern time Toronto etc. For other areas please check CBC Newsworld.
Thanks for your continuing interest and please pass this on, as we don't have everyone's email.

For more information see the Democracy Now coverage.