Lucky #13

I am 16 years old. My village was attacked by the Burma army, and we all ran for our lives into the jungle. We heard that soon, the Burma army would come to capture the men and the young boys, and that we would be forced to fight as soldiers. The people in my village pooled together their resources so that we could escape. I came to the refugee camp with my older brother, my cousin, and two of my friends.

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Art Therapy in a Refugee Camp

We spent two days doing Art Therapy with the children at The Refuge - a Children's Home we support in a Refugee Camp in Thailand. These kids have come out of horrific situations in Burma - fleeing for their lives from the SDPC (Burmese military) and hiding in the jungle. They came to the refugee camp with hopes of a safe place to stay, and an opportunity to go to school. Many of them have family still inside Burma.

But for today, the kids were just kids.... drawing, painting, and being creative.

Art Therapy is a way for children who have been through traumatic experiences to process and express their emotions in a healthy, non-violent way. With brushes and colored pencils in hand, these kids painted pictures of their painful past, their present, and the future they dream of.

Art Therapy in A Refugee Camp from The Sound of Hope on Vimeo.

The video above only gives you a glimpse of some of their art and a few of their stories. CLICK HERE to see more of their artwork, the stories that go along with it, and the dreams they are dreaming for the future.

The Refuge

Recently, we got to visit The Refuge, a Children's Home we support in a refugee camp here in Thailand. There are 6 teenagers* in the home right now, with 10 more kids coming later this month. We were SO excited to finally meet the kids and to get a better understanding of what life is like for them.

The kids in this home are Karen, an ethnic minority from Burma that is facing genocide at the hands of the Burmese military government. These kids literally ran for their lives across the border into Thailand. During our time together we got to hear some of their stories. They have experienced things no one should ever have to go through - especially not as a child.

The thing that amazed us the most after hearing about their past, was the fact that they all want to go back to Burma. After running for their lives, experiencing the terror the SPDC (Burmese military) inflicts, they still want to go back. It doesn't matter that they are safe now.... that's not enough for them. While living in the refugee camp they want to take the opportunity to get a good education, and then they all told us that their DREAM is to go back to Burma to help "their people" (the Karen people). They want to be teachers, doctors, soldiers, and government leaders. They want to make a difference, even though it will be dangerous for them. Their courage is so inspiring! On top of being courageous, they are also kind, talented, and smart. These kids have so much potential - they just need someone to believe in them!

We count it a privilege to support these kids and to help them achieve their dreams. Every donation you give to The Sound of Hope helps give these kids a safe place to live, and an education. Tomorrow, you'll hear more of their stories.

*names are not listed for the protection of the children