"In 2008, there were 15.2 million refugees around the world, and it is estimated that 80 percent of refugees are women and children" (Refugees International) . . . most Shan refugees continue to be left out of this statistic and denied official refugee status despite undergoing severe persecution in their home country.

Monday, October 18, 2010

10 days and counting!!

Hi all!

In 10 days Paul and I will be taking off again for Thailand...Paul is trying to find space in every corner of his bag for his new dirt bike gear while I am going mad wondering where all of these wonderful art supplies are going to fit...as Paul said the other day "we are going to look like a traveling circus once we arrive in Bangkok!"

Where have I been since the last post you ask? I finished up my 2009-2010 trip in Thailand, went back to Australia and graduated with a Masters in Human Rights and went to the bay area and Portland for a few visits. I then found myself living in Vancouver, BC, Canada with my lovely boyfriend Paul, where I've been nannying, working like crazy to raise funds for this next trip, spending hours at the local pottery studio, and spending many beautiful days in the BC mountains and parks.

So about all those art supplies...if you don't know already I am returning to Thailand to initiate a series of art programs in three Shan villages (two of which I was teaching in last trip). I will be starting after school art classes for the younger children and if all goes as planned a 'Young Women's Art and Discussion Group', and a 'Mother's Traditional Crafts Group'. These art classes will provide opportunities of freedom to explore individual creativity and expression. The 'Young Women's Group' will provide a stronger emphasis on expression and confidence building and will give them a safe and supportive space to address issues that they face as teenage Shan women.

I know in the past I have been pretty poor at keeping up on this blog, but I will be doing my very best to provide weekly updates and pictures on my time in Thailand and other random thoughts on human rights and the situation in Burma. :-P

Love, peace, and happiness to you all,

Michelle xx

PS An update on 'N' from my last post. She was able to receive permission to cross into the next province and is attending a much better high school in the 'big city'. She is thriving and absolutely loves it. She has been there nearly 7 months and her English is improving much faster than my Thai! I cannot wait to see her soon.

                                N and me at a local waterfall

     looking through the book the kids made me for my last day teaching last year

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