We left early with Pam, Lo Lo Say and Kha Nay Htoo from DARE to visit Mae Ra Mo camp. It took about 2 hours to drive there – a very bumpy ride as the road was so bad. This journey would take more than twice as long in the rainy season, that is if you make it at all! However, the views were stunning in the mountains looking down into valleys and across to Burma. Mae Ra Mo camp is in a beautiful setting beside a river - though it does not make up for the restrictions of camp life. As in Karenni camp, the houses are well constructed out of local materials and quite attractive in a basic kind of way. The main disadvantage is that they have to be repaired so often. No permanent structures are allowed by the Thai authorities in the camps but a few NGOs manage to construct stronger buildings for their work – and usually the clinics are built to last well.
The camp that has built up since 1997 is home to over 18,000 refugees and is divided into ten sections.
First we met with the Camp leaders to pay our respects and they welcomed us to the camp. The camp leaders are from the Karen Refugee Committee and oversee all activities.
Nearby is the Karen Women’s Organisation (KWO) office so we dropped in to say hello and hear about the KWO programmes in the camp. The three members we met were not confident of their English ability but we were able to learn something of their work in the camp. There are 11 nursery schools that are managed by KWO and the special education programme works with 95 children with various disabilities. One member we talked to manages the dormitory that shelters IDPs from 5 to 20 years old allowing them to access education or assistance before returning to Karen state. KWO works with the Thai-Burma Border Consortium on a weaving project – one year producing a longhi for every man in the camp and the next year a wrap for every woman. A great initiative.
We then bumped on over the narrow road to the DARE office and treatment centre, situated on a hill overlooking the river. The Centre includes an office, a kitchen, treatment room, meeting room and some space for accommodation. We met with DARE case workers, trainers, community workers, teenagers and clients currently undergoing treatment. For more details of this project, see “Prevention and Treatment of Addiction for Youth, Thai-Burma border” in 2008 under ‘Projects’ on the RIJ website.
In this camp there are 30 teenagers in school working with DARE. About 15 gathered to meet us. One of their activities is composing music using modern and traditional instruments. They played two songs for us – the first based on Karen stories handed down by their parents, saying that they still share the same history even though they may be living in different places now. The instruments included the Karen harp and a bamboo ‘percussion’ as well as guitar and mandolin. The teen who had composed the songs was playing the harp. We heard how they play for the clients in the nearby Mae La Oon camp, as well as entertaining their peers. The teenagers distribute information on the danger of drink and drugs at school and at events and special days in the camp.
Their other social activity is Frisbee. The Frisbee games are proving to be a huge success with the camp sections competing against each other. The teenagers spoke openly about their peers having problems with addiction and their success in providing diversions and encouraging them to give up. The teenagers find that working as a group helps build confidence as they learn from each other and then share with their peers and family.
They are bright lively people who want to help their community. Their second song said that even though they are poor, they can work together – the sun has not yet set, so they have time to stand together and get their land back. This recurring theme of maintaining their own culture and a degree of normalcy is so important.
The clients and case workers talked about their involvement in the DARE programme. Many of them are recovered addicts themselves – one prevention worker underwent treatment three years ago and since then has worked to help others. Everyone at the meeting believed that their work can help develop the community and provide a future for themselves.
Many of the DARE workers are recovered addicts. I was told the story of one prevention worker. His home in Karen state, Burma, was attacked by soldiers who raped and killed his sister. In his anger he joined the Karen army but he stepped on a landmine and lost his leg. When people were forced over the border in 1996 he was alone and lost and ended up living under a tree for several months. Then he began drinking. DARE case workers encouraged him to attend the Treatment Centre and he has been working with DARE since then.
Another trainer told us his story – how he escalated from alcohol, smoking and betel nut to abuse opium and amphetamines too. If he could not get a cigarette his anger turned to abuse. In 2000 he attended a workshop run by Pam of DARE, but he was not convinced and would go outside for a drink during breaks. He was finally persuaded to go through treatment and the pain turned to relief and gave him freedom.
I am always impressed by the openness and honesty of everyone involved in DARE. This is clearly encouraged and the reason for their success with 60% going on to full recovery. They are role models, providing the people in their community with hope – creating activities for now and building for the future.
They gave their thanks to everyone who supports RIJ but I think the thanks should go to them for giving us such inspiration.
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