PNLO Presentation PNLO The Pa-oh National Liberation Organization - - PDF document

PNLO Presentation

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Pa-Oh National Liberation Organization

The Pa-oh National Liberation Organization (PNLO) Index

• 1. History of Burma …………………………………………………………………………………….……3

1.1 Pa-oh people…………………………………………………………………………………………..7

• 2. About PNLO………………………………………………………………………………………………….9

2.1 Members……………………………………………………………………………………………....12 2.2 PNLO’s Members……………………………………………………………………………..……14 2.PNLO’ Structure ……………………………………………………………………………….………15

• 3. Vision and Mission……………………………………………………………………………….……..16
• 4. Areas…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..17

4.1 Politics……………………………………………………………………………………………..……17 4.2 Sensibilization………………………………………………………………………………………. 18 4.3 Education……………………………………………………………………………………………… 19 4.4 Social……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 19

• 5. Projects……………………………………………………………………………………………………….21

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• 1. History of Burma

Traditional kingships and other local governments that evolved among Burma's people over many centuries were largely stripped of their authority after Britain's 19th century conquest of Burma. In 1938 General Aung San started his anti-imperialist movement. He is recognized as the leading architect of independence, and the founder of the Union of Burma. After years of colonial administration with limited local self-government, the Panglong Agreement was signed between the Burmese government under Aung San and the Shan, Kachin, and Chin representative authorities at Panglong on 12 February 1947. The Agreement was sustained by three main principles: Independence, Democracy and Equality. Different representative signed the Agreement; Pa-Oh people took an active role on this agreement by the signature of U Phyu, representative of the Pa-Oh people from Hsihseng Area at the time. One of the most significant points of the Panglong Agreement is the acceptance of full autonomy in internal administration for the Frontier Areas.

Union of Burma achieved independence in 1948. The new state came into being as a parliamentary democracy and, although beset by ethnic strife as minority peoples demanded autonomy from the Burman majority, survived as a representative government until an army coup in 1962.

Democratic rule ended in 1962 when General Ne Win led a military coup. He ruled for nearly 26 years and pursued policies under the rubric of the Burmese Way to Socialism. Between 1962 and 1974, Burma was ruled by a revolutionary council headed by the general, and almost all aspects of society (business, media, and production) were nationalized or brought under government control. In an effort to consolidate power, Ne Win and many other top generals resigned from the military and took civilian posts. From 1974 a one-party political system was instituted.

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Pa-Oh National Liberation Organization Between 1974 and 1988, Burma was effectively ruled by Ne Win through the Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP), which from 1964 until 1988 was the sole political party. During this period, Burma became one of the world's most impoverished countries. The Burmese Way to Socialism combined Soviet-style nationalization and central planning with the governmental implementation of superstitious beliefs. Almost from the beginning, there were sporadic protests against the military rule, many of which were organized by students. These protests were almost always violently suppressed by the government. On 7 July 1962, the government broke up demonstrations at Rangoon University, killing hundreds students. In 1974, the military violently suppressed anti- government protests at the funeral of U Thant, a Burmese diplomat and former General Secretary of the United Nations. Again, student protests in 1975, 1976 and 1977 were quickly suppressed by overwhelming force. In 1988, unrest over economic mismanagement and political oppression by the government led to widespread pro-democracy demonstrations throughout the country known as the 8/8/88

• Uprising. Security forces killed thousands of demonstrators, while General Saw Maung staged a

military coup and formed the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). In 1989, SLORC declared martial law after widespread protests. The military government finalized plans for the People's Assembly elections on 31 May 1989. SLORC changed the country's official English name from the "Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma" to the "Union of Myanmar" in 1989. In May 1990, the government held free elections for the first time in almost 30 years. The National League for Democracy (NLD), of which Aung San Suu Kyi helped lead, won 392 out of a total 489 seats(i.e., 80% of the seats). The election results however, were annulled by SLORC, which refused to step down. Led by Than Shwe since 1992, the military regime has made cease- fire agreements with most ethnic guerilla groups. In 1992, SLORC unveiled plans to create a new constitution through the National Convention, which began 9 January 1993. In 1997, the

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Pa-Oh National Liberation Organization State Law and Order Restoration Council was renamed the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). On 23 June 1997, Burma was admitted into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The National Convention continues to convene and adjourn. Many major political parties, particularly the NLD, have been absent or excluded, and little progress has been made. On 27 March 2006, the military junta moved the national capital from Rangoon to the official new capital Naypyidaw, meaning "city of the kings" In November 2006, the International Labour Organization (ILO) announced it will be seeking at the International Criminal Court "to prosecute members of the ruling Myanmar junta for crimes against humanity" over the continuous forced labour of its citizens by the military. According to the ILO, an estimated 800,000 people are subject to forced labour in Burma. The 2007 Burmese anti-government protests were a campaign of civil resistance. The demonstrations were at first dealt with quickly and harshly by the junta, with dozens of protesters arrested and detained. Starting 18 September, the protests were led by thousands of Buddhist monks, and were allowed to proceed until a renewed government crackdown on September 26. During the crack-down, there were rumours of disagreement within the Burmese armed forces, but none were confirmed. Many referred to this event as the Saffron Revolution. During the 2007 anti-government protests a significant role was played by Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the opposition to the Burmese military government. Aung San Suu Kyi was under periods of house arrest from 1989–2010. In September 2007, hundreds of monks paid respects to her at the gate of her home, which was the first time in four years that people were able to see her in public. She was then given a second public appearance on 29 September, when she was allowed to leave house arrest briefly and meet with a UN envoy trying to persuade the junta to ease its crackdown against the pro-democracy uprising, to which the Burmese government reluctantly agreed. World governments remain divided on how to deal with the military junta.

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Pa-Oh National Liberation Organization On 7 February 2008, SPDC announced that a referendum for the Constitution would be held that year, and national elections would be held by 2010. The Burmese constitutional referendum was held on 10 May, and promised a "discipline-flourishing democracy" for the country in the future. However, this constitution goes against the Panglong Agreement due to deny of the full autonomy in internal administration of the country states. On 13 August 2010, the junta announced the election date for 2010 would be 7 November. A new flag was adopted and the official name of the country changed to "Republic of the Union of Myanmar", replacing the old "Union of Myanmar" from 1989. Observers described the election day of 2010 as mostly peaceful, though there were alleged irregularities in polling stations. There was an official turnout of 77%. On November 9, 2010, Burma's ruling junta stated that the Union Solidarity and Development Party won 80% of the votes. This claim is widely disputed by pro-democracy opposition groups, asserting that the military regime engaged in rampant fraud to achieve its result. International communities were concerned that skirmishes, due to discontent with the elections, could aggravate the civil war. Burma’s Civil War started 1948 and is still going nowadays. Through these years, there were two big ceasefires. Both were fake and no negotiation took place, the Military Dictatorship demanded the surrendering of the ethnic groups and arrested some of their leaders. On 3 May 2008, Cyclone Nargis devastated the country when winds of up to 215 km/h (135 mph) touched land in the densely populated, rice-farming delta of the Irrawaddy Division. It was the worst natural disaster in Burmese history. Reports estimated that more than 200,000 people were dead or missing, and damage totaled to 10 billion dollars USD. Some villages were almost totally eradicated and vast rice-growing areas were wiped out. Yet in the critical days following this disaster, Burma's isolationist regime hindered recovery efforts by delaying the

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Pa-Oh National Liberation Organization entry of United Nations planes delivering medicine, food, and other supplies. The government's action was described by the United Nations as "unprecedented."

1.1 Pa-Oh people

Lack of a reliable census makes it difficult to estimate the composition of Burma’s ethnic mosaic

• r its total population. Some experts suggest existing population data is skewed to exaggerate

the number of Burman, the largest single ethnic group in the country. According to available statistics, the Burman comprise about two-thirds of the country’s 50+ million people, and dominate both the army and government. Most of Burma’s ethnic minorities inhabit areas along the country’s mountainous frontiers. The earliest record of the Pa-Oh can be traced back to the reign of King Suriya Sandar, who ruled Thaton around 600 BC. Thaton, meaning “the good state”, was the capital of Sandar’s acient empire. Sandar named his empire Suna Bhumi, meaning “the golden land”, a name which had a double meaning. Not only was there an abundance of gold found in the riverbeds in and around Thaton, but perhaps more importantly to the Pa-oh, the land itself was healthy and rich with natural resources. Sandar’s reign as King was, and still is, significant to the Pa-oh, for it was the King’s belief in the teachings of the Buddha that gave the Pa-oh a chance to understand and practice Buddhism. Buddhism was not practiced in the region prior to Sandar’s acceptance of the religion. “Sasana asa Thatonga”, a phrase contained in various ancient Buddhist scripts, illustrates that the people of Thaton were the first to accept and practice the teachings of the Buddha not only Burma, but all of South-East Asia. The Pa-Oh still celebrate their National Day on King Suriya Sandar’s birthday, which falls during the full moon of Tabaung, the last month of the Burmese calendar, typically in March. The Pa-Oh people of Eastern and Southern Burma are the seventh largest ethnic group and second largest group in Shan State, after the Shan themselves. Nowadays, the population, which is estimated to be over two million, are scattered across Mon, Karen, Karenni and Shan

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Pa-Oh National Liberation Organization states, particularly along the banks of the Salween River. A smaller number of Pa-oh are found in Bago Division and parts of upper Burma. The Pa-Oh are traditionally farmers, however few are local merchants or traders of cattle and

• horses. The Pa-oh cultivate rice, a wide variety of vegetables, such as garlic, onions soybeans,

potatoes, beans, tomatoes, and mustard, and commonly produce peanuts and strawberries, among other varieties of fruits. The hillsides are used primarily for growing tea, coffee, fruit, sesame, and hillside rice. Amoung the most popular goods sold by Pa-oh merchants are garlic,

• ranges, tea leaves, and thanapet leaves, which are used for wrapping cheroots.

Historians today debate the origins of the Pa-oh, yet the Pa-oh themselves are certain of their

• ancestry. Three Mongoloid groups, Burman, Pyu, and Mon, originally came to current-day

Burma from China. Of these peoples, the Burman and Mon have grown and become prominent ethnic groups within Burma, however, the Pyu are nowhere to be found. The Pa-oh culture, language and geographic location share many similarities with the ancient Pyu people. The Pa-

• h, with their documented evidence, believe strongly that the ancient Pyu people are their

ancestors and maintain a strong connection with Pyu history. The legend of Wiekja(man of divine power) and Naga(Dragon), however, provides the Pa-Oh with an account of how they came to be. The legend is deeply entrenched in Pa-Oh culture, so much that both the Pa-Oh name and their traditional dress are based on the events of the

• story. Black is the official colour of the Pa-Oh, although men and women alike tend to where

brightly coloured turbans and various-coloured longyis. While Pa-Oh women generally wear multiple layers, the men tend to wear baggy, loose-fitting pants and long-sleeved shirts. The Pa-Oh are proud of their identity and continue to value their traditional customs. Through years of subjugation, the Pa-oh have maintained their nationalist loyalty, fighting valiantly for their national existence. Although proud, the Pa-oh are a peace-loving people and avoid hostility with their neighbours whenever possible. Self-determination, on the other hand, is the

• nly way of ensuring the Pa-oh customs will be preserved. The fight for self-determination will

surely continue until the goal is ultimately achieved.

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• 2. About PNLO (Pa-Oh National Liberation Organization)

In the running history, the Pa-Oh people have relentlessly fought against colonial expansion, fascism, feudalism, military dictatorship and chauvinism, including many kinds of nefarious political systems. Burma obtained its independence from colonial rule in 1948, although the Pa- Oh people have not yet obtained freedom from the suppression and unfair political systems that have riddled the region for centuries. Because of this, the Pa-oh were compelled to form the Pa-Oh National Liberation Organization (PNLO) on 11th December 1949 and began the first revolutionary movement to fight for the liberation of Pa-Oh people. Since the formation of the PNLO, during the rule of Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL) Government, the Pa-Oh people have successfully fought against feudalism under the banner of PNLO. Henceforth, December 11 was declared Revolution Day, a day of anti-feudalist celebration. In 1958, the PNLO arrived at an understanding with the caretaker Government led by Gen. Ne Win to exchange democracy for arms. This, however, became futile due to the fraudulent policy of the AFPFL Government. Moreover, when military rule was declared by Gen. Ne Win in March 1962, many Pa-Oh national leaders, including the great leader Phra Bwar Hla Pe (Thaton Hla Pe), were detained and incarcerated by military dictators. Following this crackdown, Bo San Thein (later General San Thein), one of the first Pa-Oh revolutionary movement leaders, led the Pa-Oh national movement and kept intact the PNLO, leading the second revolutionary movement for the liberation of Pa-Oh people since 1966. At this point, the Pa-Oh people united with other Shan State nationalities to form the Shan State Nationalities Liberation Organization (SSNLO) in 1967 to keep the fight for the liberation intact from 1968 to 1972. Not long after the SSNLO was created, Gen. San Thein was killed in battle. Political leaders of the SSNLO had different political ideologies at this time, and the organization soon fragmented into two forms; the Shanland Nationalities Liberation Front (SNLF) and the Shan Nationalities People Liberation Organization (SNPLO). Again, after the demise of Pa-Oh National leader Phra Bwar Hla Pe, the Pa-Oh people formed the Pa-oh National Organization (PNO) in 1976. The Pa-oh national movement was undauntedly carried out under various banners of the PNLO. SSNLO, SNLF, SNPLO, PPLO and PNO since 1949 have all worked vigorously for Pa-oh rights.

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Pa-Oh National Liberation Organization On 11th April 1991, the PNO led by U Aung Khamhti had agreed to a cease-fire with the military

• Junta. Col. Hkun Okker obstinately rejected and formed the Pa-Oh People Liberation

Organization (PPLO) on 18th June 1991 at Manaplaw, formally declaring on 10th October 1991, to lead the people to fight for the Pa-Oh national liberation. Again the SNPLO led by U Tarkale also agreed to a ceasefire with the military on 9th October 1994. After seventeen years, in 2007, the Ceasefire group SNPLO split into several factions due to the policy of State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) to disarm the ceasefire group. The group under the leadership of Brigadier Khun Ti Song and Col. Khun Thurein, who knew who were aware of the disarmament policy of military junta in advance, went to the liberated areas and continued arms struggle to fight against military rule. To keep the true spirit of Pa-Oh national liberation, the two leaders formed the Pa-Oh National Liberation Organization (PNLO) on 18th November 2007 and abandoned the SNPLO. Prior to the formation of PNLO, Brig. Khun Ti Song, Col. Khun Thurein and their group was under the banner of the SNPLO. Their defection was welcomed and appreciated by the PPLO, who agreed to convene with the SNPLO on 25th July 2007. From this meeting the two national

• rganizations reached an explicit agreement, to cooperate with each other in building and

promoting solidarity, national aspiration, and promote the image of Pa-Oh people. Following this understanding another meeting was held at PNLO Headquarters on 11th January, 2009. The meeting was attended by PPLO leaders, PNLO leaders, and Khun Myint Tun, Member of Parliament from Thaton Constituency (1). At this meeting, a resolution was adopted to convene the Pa-Oh National Congress for the reunification of the Pa-Oh people. This meeting also produced an Organizing Committee for the Pa-Oh National Congress and gave the committee the task of arranging a successful Congress. The Organizing Committee members consisted of Khun Myint Tun (MP), Khun Tinshwe Oo (NCUB/PDC), and representatives from all existing Pa- Oh national organizations. The first consultative meeting of the Pa-Oh national leaders was held from 12th to 14th September, 2009, at PPLO and PNLO headquarters to enable the convention of the Pa-Oh

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Pa-Oh National Liberation Organization National Congress. Again, from October 1st to 3rd 2009, a Conference of Pa-Oh national leaders was held, finalizing a decision to convene the Pa-Oh national Congress from 7th to 9th December 2009. Representatives from all Pa-Oh national organizations, incuding Pa-Oh Monks, Pa-oh people from the homeland, ethnic national leaders, and other significant Pa-Oh individuals enthusiastically attended Congress. At this National Congress Col. Hkun Okker, the Chairman of PPLO, announced legally to relinquish the PPLO, submitting the members of the organization to the Congress. Similarly, the PNLO was relinquished by General Secretary Col. Khun Thurien. The members of the

• rganization and the Pa-Oh National Liberation Army (PNLA) were also submitted to Congress.

Submissions of the Pa-Oh Youth Organization (PYO) and the Pa-Oh Labour Union (PLU) to the Conference followed, announced by PYO General Secretary Hkun Chanki and Khun Myo, representing PLU. In a single accord, the members present in the Congress decided to stand for fraternity, equality, self-determination, and the right to establish a Pa-Oh State with appropriate boundaries. It was agreed that a federal union is the only means to ensure, protect, and preserve the national and social rights of the Pa-Oh people. This accord was produced to lead the Pa-Oh people and March forward for the achievement of Pa-Oh national goal. The Pa-Oh national leaders and people unanimously formed the Pa-Oh National Liberation Organization (PNLO) on 8th December 2009 and brought all the Pa-Oh people under a single banner of the PNLO forthwith. The leaders of the PNLO were elected through secret ballots. It was viscerally agreed that senior leaders Col. Hkun Okker and Brig. Hpratan Hkun Ti Song would be the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the PNLO. Thus, to lead the third revolutionary movement, the Pa-Oh National Liberation Organization was legally instituted once again with the immutable mandate of the people. Since the first and second revolutionary movements were

carried out under the banner of the PNLO, so too, shall the third revolutionary movement follow the same course. The PNLO, after forming in the National Congress, participated in the NDF (National Democratic Front) the DAB (Democratic Alliance of Burma), and the NCUB (National Council of the Union of Burma)

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Pa-Oh National Liberation Organization In February 2011 the PNLO attended the Ethnic National Conference which brought together various ethnic groups for the creation of the United Nationalities Federal Council. This important achievement allows all the ethnic organizations to have a platform where they can work together.

2.1 Members

The Central Executive Members (CEM) of PNLO. (1) Col. Hkun Okker Chairman, (2) Brig. Khun Ti Song Vice Chairman, (3) Khun Myint Tun General Secretary, (4) Col. Khun Thurein Joint Secretary (1), (5) Khun Myo Joint Secretary (2), (6) Col. Aung Kyaw Active Member, (7) Hkun Oh Active Member. The Central Committee Members (CCM) of PNLO. (1) Col. Hkun Okker (9) Hkun Tin Shwe Oo (2) Brig. Khun Ti Song (10) Major Ohn Maung (3) Khun Myint Tun, MP (11) Khun Htee (4) Col. Khun Thurein (12) Khun Zwe Hto (5) Khun Myo (13) Nang Larroung (6) Col. Aung Kyaw (14) Hkun Nay Htoo (7) Hkun Oh (15) Khun Tommy (8) Khun Ko Wein

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2.2 PNLO’s Members

PPR PNLA PPLO PYO PLU I M

Pa-Oh National Congress

PPR: Pa-Oh People Representatives PPLO: Pa-Oh People Liberation Organization PNLA: Pa-Oh National Liberation Army PLU: Pa-Oh Labour Union PYO: Pa-Oh Youth Organization IM : Independent Members

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PLU PPR PYO

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2.3 PNLO’ Structure PNLO

CC CEC Political Department Foreign and Alliance Affairs Information National School Women Affair Military Department Control the Areas Establishment Organization Financial Department Taxation Funding Business Administration Department Education Health Care Social Organization Rule of Law H.Q. Office

Pa-Oh People

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• 3. Vision, Mission and Principles

Vision: Establish the Pa-Oh State for the Pa-Oh people, a state which possesses full power of self- determination and equality with other nationalities. Mission:  Oppose and fight against chauvinism and parochialism.  Eradicate the Military Dictatorship.  Establish national democracy.  Achieve self-determination and equality.  Build a federal union. Principles:  The PNLO shall fight for the liberation of Pa-Oh people  For the liberation of each and every ethnic person from suppression, the PNLO will strive to coordinate with all ethnic groups.  The PNLO will strive for the complete eradication of military dictatorship, suppression, and civil war, in the hopes of building a peaceful federal union which fully practices a democratic system of government.  The PNLO will obstinately oppose the deceptive policies of the enemy, including negotiated surrendering of arms, and will not become lackey of the enemy, military junta.

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• 4. Areas of work

The principal areas of work for the PNLO are:  Politics  Sensibilization  Education  Social

4.1 Politics

Politics lies at the heart of Burma’s issue. The junta continues to plunder the power of its citizens, exercising that power for both military and private gains. The livelihood of the average Burmese, on the other hand, continues to depreciate as the denial of political and social rights

• persists. Force, victimization, and controlling participation are the methods used by the General

to suppress the people. Political cohesion between members of society fighting for justice is necessary in order for the people to retrieve their fundamental rights. Working plans:  Establish a consolidated Pa-oh national political party and an adjacent military wing.  Promote the solidarity and integrity of Pa-Oh people between all organizations and communities that

encompass the Pa-Oh nation.



Build and strengthen the integrity with brethren hill people of Shan State, based primarily on equality.



Build cohesion and solidarity with all ethnic peoples’ parties and organizations, those who are stoically fighting for liberation and are concerned for the public good. We must join hands.



Unite with Monks, and all religious and youth organizations that are demanding justice and the protection of human rights.



Fight against the suppressive rule of fascist military dictators like the SPDC.

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After the eradication of military despotic rule from the country, when the democratically elected Parliament Members, true representatives from each and every ethnic nationality, scholars, and the persons who love the nation attend the National Conference and draft the Constitution for future Federal Union, the Pa-Oh national leaders representing the Pa-oh people shall participate in such a historic occasion.

4.2 Sensibilization

The political nature of Burma today denies the public of the rights to information, education, and the freedom of expression. While attempting to silence the voices of its citizens, the military junta has also engaged in isolating the nation from the outside world for several decades. This has produced a disconnect between the people of Burma and the members of the global community. For the protection

• f human rights and the potential dismantling of the military, it is fundamental that the people of Burma

are heard and their stories are told. The PNLO vigorously attempts to tell the story of Burma from the perspective they know best, that of the Pa-Oh people.

Working plans:  Sensitize public opinion, through communication campaigns and special information campaigns on the situation in Burma, mainly Pa-Oh situation.  Exposed human rights abuses that the dictatorship tries to keep secret.  Provide testimonial stories about Burma, ensuring the world does not ignore the crisis there.  Provide support to Pa-Oh people to speak out and influence the international community

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4.3 Education

Education is a fundamental right in which many additional human rights depend. Improvements in health, social wealth, self-esteem, child protection, and peace-building can all be made possible with the improvement of education. The education system in Burma has corroded under military rule an the

• pportunities for youth, primarily in the rural regions, have diminished significantly. The PNLO focuses
• n improving primary and secondary levels of learning, with the goal of increasing literacy levels,

reducing dropout rates, and ensuring a high quality of education for Pa-Oh youth.

Working Plan:

• Bringing Pa-Oh children into the educational mainstream
• Improve schooling rate
• Ensuring continuity of schooling from primary to secondary.
• Improving the conditions of secondary level education.
• Carry out extracurricular activities among students.

4.4 Social

Under military rule, ethnic communities have struggled to provide themselves with basic

• necessities. Land has consistently been stripped away from citizens with little or no

compensation provided. Violent attacks on rural populations are day-to-day threats for ethnic

• minorities. Displaced communities in Burma have found it extremely difficult to sustain a

decent quality of life under such circumstances. It is vital that such communities are supplied with the basic living needs, especially in rural regions where many communities are constantly under threat.

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Pa-Oh National Liberation Organization Working plan:  Provide basic infrastructure and services to communities, meeting their basic living needs.  Contribute to the improvement of community spaces in liberated areas in Burma.  Provide shelter and food to students displaced from their homes to attend school.  Provide medicines and first aid to Pa-oh villages in Thailand and liberated areas of Burma.  Contribute to the improvement of educational facilities in schools.  Create self-help network in the field of dwellings, work, food, basic economy

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• 5. Projects

New School PNLO currently has a school in Mae Aw in the liberated area, inside Burma. It is a small school for 10 students’, ages of 12 to 21 years old. At the this, there are two teachers who work with students in various subjects, such as languages (Pa-Oh, Burmese and English), math, computer, and both Burmese and Pa-Oh history. This school teaches the basics of all these subject to all the students. Our new project is to build a bigger school in Mae Hong Son in order to provide a higher level of education for the students. After finishing the primary level at the school in Mae Aw, students will be able to continue their education at the higher level school in the Thailand-Burma border. The students will reside in this facility for an extended period. The PNLO will provide them with education and all their necessary daily supplies. Volunteer Network PNLO is working on creating a dynamic volunteer network. We are interested in individuals with experience, to place them in volunteer opportunities in the Thailand-Burma border. We believe that volunteering can be an excellent way to support migrant and refugee students and educators, and ultimately make a lasting difference in these communities. PNLO requires a minimum of two months to stay and work with students and teachers. However, some volunteers with specific skills, whose involvement can be beneficial to the program, can arrange for shorter placements. Long-term volunteers can often stay in the staff

• house. The persons we look for should have previous experience, dedication, flexibility, and a

willingness to adapt to difficult conditions.

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Pa-Oh National Liberation Organization Some possible volunteer positions are: English Language Teacher Volunteers can work with students and teachers to improve their English language skills. The students need someone to work with them focusing on their communication skills. People with administration skills We need people with experience in NGO’s who can help us with fundraising, event organizing, donation raising, and with administration skills. Computer Teachers Volunteers can work with students and staff to improve their computer skills. Updating our blog and creating a dynamic website is imperative for our means to communicate with various individuals and organizations within the democratic movement. Interested volunteers should email us for more information. Please note that PNLO cannot guarantee a placement for all volunteer applicants. Your time will be of great help to students, their families, and staff.