The Nelson Refugee Committee is hoping to bring two young Burmese Karen women to Nelson to start a better life.
Hsa and Htoo grew up in a camp on the Thai-Burmese border because their people, a native Burmese race, have for years been persecuted and driven from their villages by the country’s army. Their villages are burnt and many Karen people are enslaved or killed.
Refugee camps have sprung up all along the Thai-Burmese border, but while Burma continues to harass and persecute the Karen, Thailand will not let them into their country. They have become a people with no home.
In spite of the constant persecution, and the ever-present dangers at their make-shift camp, Hsa and Htoo have educated themselves. They speak some English. They have taken on supervisory roles at the camp. Hsa is working on becoming a correspondent. However, without a family these two cousins, both in their early 20s, have no one to protect them.
Htoo and Hsa are looking forward to being sponsored to come to Canada.
Please help the Nelson Refugee Committee raise money while having fun by attending their event at Finley’s Irish Bar & Grill on November 18 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
A $10 ticket provides you with a burger, beer and entertainment. (Veggie burgers available). Tickets at Otter Books or at the door.