Where is Phar Eh's school?

Greetings from Chiang Mai in the rainy season!

I think many of you must be wondering where did all this art material go after it was sent to Phar Eh and the school he now works at in Karen state, Burma. So we thought we would send you some maps.

On this first map you can see how the material travelled from Chiang Mai, to Masariang then accross the border to Burma to reach Hpapun (also spelt Papun) in northern Karen state. Quite a way. It had to sail up and across the Salawin river, then be carried and transported to Phar Eh's school. 

Now where is this school? Well Look at this map below, and seach for Papun, move up north a little. See that soldier? Cute drawn like that, but not so cute in real life,like if you were carrying some school materials and had to answer some of his questions. 

But all you have to do is get a little further up into the dark grey area (hiding area), passed the soldiers. The school is right there. Now what's a hiding area? Agian look at the map: do you see the red houses? These are villages from which people are expelled by goverment forces. Now do you see the blue houses? That's the relocation sites for these villagers.

 

Well I 'm not so great at maths but I think it's obvious that there are a lot more villages distroyed that places for villagers to relocate. So that's when the hidding areas come into play.And the Iternally Displaced person camp (little balck tent). 

Unfortunately, there are plenty of military outposts, these little grey stars through the hiding area making it pretty dangerous. The green hatched areas are held by people who fight against the burmese military goverment. This is called a zone of conflict.

This is where some brave people are trying to run schools so that village kids can get an education. And now, thanks to you, they'll be doing some art classes too. So don't be disapointed if it takes a long time to get some news from there. It'll come, slowly, back across the river, down the roads into our Chiang Mai office where we'll translate it for you and post it!


PS: Aung San Suu Kyi is giving a couple of lectures on the BBC radio. If you would like to listen to the first lecture, please follow thhis link:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00hljtd/The_Reith_Lectures_Aung_San_Suu_Kyi_Lecture_1_Liberty/

We're looking forward to gets your comments and see what exciting things you've all been up to!

 Studio Xang