After a meeting with some of the key people in the MTC’s Counseling Center, our excitement for the center’s impact grew even more! With counseling trainings in advanced topics, center & case documentation, and mental health assessments being conducted by some of the BBP psychologists and knowledgeable locals, we are really seeing the center come to life. This may sound like dull technical language; but, what it means is that we are really piecing together what will be a pivotal point in providing refugees and illegal migrants the tools they need to overcome the obstacles in life that trauma can bring.

Also in the spirit of moving forward, we are happy to increase our funding to SAW for school transport and art activities. Being one of the very few providers of education for the Burmese migrant community, SAW does an impressive job of using what resources it has to make schooling as accessible and beneficial to as many children possible; and we are excited to help in their mission!

In taking another step with SAW, as well as the Karen Women’s Organization, I am currently working on developing BBP’s involvement with these groups’ income-generation programs. These programs have a triple affect: building the capacity of displaced Burmese women through trainings in vocational skills; gaining empowerment by providing the opportunity to help support themselves and their families; upholding the cultural practice of traditional weaving and clothing. We are looking forward to help in all capacities possible (finding sellers, marketing assistance, etc.) More on this later; guaranteed.

The volunteer program has also made leaps forward, increasing three-fold in the amount of volunteers. We have had the privilege of connecting more passionate skilled people to different community organizations who could use their time and hope to continue with this.

The feeling of moving forward is certainly an exhilarating one. It is no surprise to anyone here in this little town that the situation in Burma is a complex one that requires an unbelievable degree of endurance to keep hope. But: when you move forward, those little steps can certainly make miles of improvement and is something definitely worth while to stop and appreciate.