"Map of Karen Refugee Camps 2015...Karen Refugee Committee Newsletter and Activity Report July - 2018...Monthly Activities Report July ? 2018...NGO Supporters...Camp Population Report July- 2018: Registered people in the 7 camps (Mae La; Umphiem; Nu Po; Mae La Oon; Mae Ra Moe; Htam Hin; Don Yang); Unregistered people in the 7 camps; New Arrivals in the 7 camps; Pre-Screening People in the 7 Camps; Number of PAB People in the 7 camps; Boarding House Students in the 7 camps; Feeding Figures in the 7 camps; General Population in the 7 camps...According to our forefather?s saying, should not stay overnight on the way back home even if we are late or shouldn?t stay anywhere near the rivers or valley or lowland areas. These are the place where the monsters look for their preys. They would eat anything they find, maybe it be human, animals, trees, rocks, soil, big or small. What have happened to one of our camps, called Maela Oo on 19th of this month is a reflection of our forefather?s warning, where 7 houses with 8 people were swept away by the landslide, including six big trees. This was a terrible moment and emotionally unforgettable. On the other part of the world in Indonesia on 28th, more than 2,000 people died and 5,000 missing caused by Tsunami and storm. This natural calamity is unimaginable with loss of lives and caused severe destruction. This reminds me of a Christian bible chapter in Matthew 24, the saying of Jesus. Now, coming back to our refugee issue. As a part of our preparedness, a representative from Karen Refugee Committee along with ADRA ? Myanmar and Thailand, Thai?s Vocational Training College representatives from Mae Sariang, Tak, Mae Sot, Kanchanaburi, Ratchburi, Bangkok, numbering 20 individuals, went to Pa-An, capital of Karen State, Burma, and met with Pa-An GTHS?s principal and teachers, studied and learning about the school program and sharing information to the school. On the same study trip, the next stop is at the upper Burma, 12 hours? drive and reaching Kyauk P?daung where we visited GTI school and met with school principal and sharing information to each other?s. Our next trip was Pagan, Nyaung Oo, famous for their tourist attraction in Burma. As a General Secretary, I?ve got this privilege to be a part of the group and learn from different situations. This is probably one of the first steps in building connectivity, networking, and relationship while peace negotiation is at hand. There?s still many more steps to be undertaken to realize real peace in the country which have been for decades being discussed over the paper and have never been materialized. A pragmatic solution should be idealized and leaving behind our wishful thinking. I have learnt to reflect myself and with the community back at refugee camps. For decades, there have been a big gap between us, creating misunderstanding, confusion, and even hatred. We have gone beyond our own wishes and fail to appreciate each other weakness and learn from one another. This is just a positive side of reconciliation and forgiveness. From political stand point, negotiation will take longer and theoretical discourse will continue. Both theory and practice will need to go hand in hand. I might be wrong to say this, but I hope you can forgive me if I do so in this reflection. Respectfully yours, General Secretary Karen Refugee Committee"