No Safe Shelter

Summary

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Insight Myanmar Podcast

Episode: No Safe Shelter
Date: July 10, 2026
Host: Insight Myanmar Podcast
Guest: Lalawen, journalist and former political prisoner

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Episode Overview

This episode of Insight Myanmar dives deep into the realities lived by journalists, civilians, and dissidents under Myanmar’s military regime. Through the gripping story of Lalawen—a former teacher, Saffron Revolution witness, DVB journalist, political prisoner, and conflict-zone reporter—listeners are transported into a life where hope itself is an act of rebellion. The episode explores the intertwined journeys of personal conviction, press freedom, the trauma of conflict, and the resilience of those fighting for democracy and dignity under relentless danger.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. From Teacher to Journalist: The Spark of 2007

• Lalawen's Background:
  • Started as an education teacher.
  • Turned to journalism after witnessing the violent suppression of the 2007 Saffron Revolution, where Buddhist monks led nonviolent protests brutally crushed by the military.
  • “When I was young, I was working as an education teacher...2007, the suffering revolution...the military is a very attached the innocent people...I decide at that time something I want to do for this, this military. And then I joined to the TVB.” ([03:57] - Lalawen)

2. Choosing Journalism and Learning the Craft

• Motivation & Training:
  • Moved by the stories of suffering she encountered, particularly among monks and civilians.
  • Received initial training from DVB (Democratic Voice of Burma) and further mentorship from senior journalists, both before and after her time in prison.
  • “The real training is after I released from prison in Tiangong...My friends and teach them to me how to make the interview and how to add the question and then how to do the video editing and sound recording.” ([04:46] - Lalawen)

3. Arrest, Imprisonment, and Survival

• Risk and Betrayal:

  • Lalawen was arrested following her reporting on military abuses after an informer disclosed her activities to authorities.
  • She describes the ordeal of being interrogated for 44 nights, the strategies she employed to protect her colleagues, and the profound mental strain.
  • Strategic Silence: Deliberately answered safe questions truthfully while protecting critical secrets.
  • “My first priority is not don't say...the DVV the small office in Yangon. The my first priority as a they...if for example they as a 10 questions I answer the nine question is two and then the one is a fourth question I answer the fourth so they don't know.” ([10:49] - Lalawen)

• Sentencing and Mental State:

  • Sentenced to 27 years in prison at age 23 for her reporting—remarkably, she managed not to further incriminate others.
  • “No one arrested because of me in Yangon.” ([12:22] - Lalawen)
  • Prison became a paradoxical sanctuary, curing the paralyzing depression and hypervigilance she felt while living underground:
    • “Before my arrest I worried about...the police and the soldier...When I arrive in prison. I sleep every day, every night.” ([15:32] - Lalawen)

• Differential Treatment:

  • Bamar Buddhist identity shielded her from some abuses faced by ethnic/religious minority prisoners.
  • She lived “day by day,” teaching fellow inmates’ children, learning ethnic languages, and awaiting political change.
  • “I never worry the depression for. Is someone for example, is that someone came to my here before arrest them...I can't sleep when I...When I arrive in prison, I sleep every day, every night.” ([15:19] - Lalawen)

4. Life After Release: Political or Journalistic Path?

• Sticking with Journalism:

  • Despite the option to return to politics (NLD Youth), decided to pursue journalism as a more effective force for change.
  • “One of my policy is that media can be changed the world. So I believe that.” ([21:23] - Lalawen)

• Reflections on Media & Government:

  • Noted the “strange paradox” that journalists had more freedom under Thein Sein’s quasi-civilian regime than under later NLD administrations.
  • “You had more freedom under the Thin Sen administration than the Aung San SUU Kyi administration.” ([26:06] - Host)
  • “Correct...After 2050 by energy government. Sino journalist is arrested...independent media is less and less.” ([27:24] - Lalawen)

• Pushback from Allies:

  • Experienced tension between journalistic independence and political loyalty, particularly over “We Stand With Aung San Suu Kyi” campaigns.
  • “Some of my friends think it's a shame of government that kids you know...I never join that campaign.” ([28:42] - Lalawen)

5. Journalism, Resistance, and the Need for Ethical Independence

• Parallel Journeys:

  • The evolution from unity among activists and journalists in the post-coup years to an understanding that ethical journalism cannot simply serve as a mouthpiece for any resistance movement or political party.
  • “We have to say the both side and then we have to repose the both side—the human right violation. It has a both side human rights violation...We have to look the outside. That means a journalist.” ([38:09] - Lalawen)
  • Even friends in NLD came to accept, years later, the necessity for journalistic autonomy.

• Why Independent Journalism Matters:

  • “In society...don't have the independence not only journalism law and independence journalists and media...well being failure in our country...and then people will be the killing by now we we see it's a killing by the military.” ([40:20] - Lalawen)

6. Return to Journalism Amid 2021 Coup and Escalated War

• Back to Reporting:

  • Having left journalism before the coup (to raise her son and run a book publishing business), the 2021 military coup spurred her immediate return.
  • “I start to my journalist was and then decided and then leave everything...I upload the photo and new article is everything I do.” ([43:49] - Lalawen)

• Direct Threats and Escape:

  • As suspicion grew, Lalawen went into hiding and ultimately fled to Thailand in July 2021—but kept returning to frontline zones for coverage.
  • “I can't go outside because the military is watching me...so I decided...to be outside of country.” ([44:38] - Lalawen)

7. Conflict Zone Reporting: Fear, Survival, and Empathy

• Witnessing War:

  • First experiences in war areas were emotionally charged, alternating between fear and adrenaline, with a constant awareness of the danger to her and civilian companions.
  • “Newborn baby and girl and two ladies with me...we are the same people and same citizen. I am not special for them.” ([47:14] - Lalawen)

• Airstrikes and Landmines:

  • The unpredictability and terror of airstrikes stand out.
  • “Especially attached by airstrike because I can't control the air strike...whereas the bullets and missile and weapon is a little controlled for me because far away...But airstrike is cannot control.” ([48:57] - Lalawen)
  • Recounts how proximity to landmines, navigating makeshift markers, is both ordinary and terrifying.
  • “There's a landmine. There is a size stone based stone around the landmine.” ([52:20] - Lalawen)

• Role as Fixer for Foreign Journalists:

  • Struggles to balance the risk foreign journalists wish to take with her local knowledge and protective instincts.
  • “The journalist never enough to him enough to their world...they need more more clothes more total. You know more interview with them. That is a different one.” ([54:27] - Lalawen)
  • Local understanding vs. foreign recklessness:
    • “Because I am local. I understood everything...They don't understand about the human about the police, about the...situation.” ([55:15] - Lalawen)

8. The Human Cost: Conflict’s Toll on Society

• Displacement and Hardship:

  • Gives voice to IDPs’ living conditions—the precarity, lack of resources, mental health struggles.
  • “70% is a conflict zone in the country...People are now to get less and less essential habit...education and health care...” ([58:56] - Lalawen)

• Broken Childhoods and Family Separation:

  • Heartrending stories of children recognizing the sound of incoming weapons, families split, and communities learning to rebuild amid continual loss.
  • “One of my brother...he shout in the. He went to see his mother. ‘I want to go home.’” ([65:10] - Lalawen)
  • “Many youth...need to the counseling. One of my brother...Sometimes he's shouting on the mountain.” ([64:25] - Lalawen)

• Resilience and Hope:

  • Despite trauma, displaced people dream only of returning home, even into ruins. Their morale remains strong, initiative abounds to provide for each other, and acts of resistance endure.
  • “They want to go back there native town and native place condition is these cancer. I think they need more medicine...But the reality is that they want to go back.” ([76:00] - Lalawen)

• Mental Health Crisis:

  • Acute need for psychological support among all displaced and conflict-affected people, especially youths and long-term IDPs.
  • “A thousand odd youth is a need of counseling.” ([64:25] - Lalawen)

9. The Next Generation: Lost Childhoods

• The New Normal:
  • “5 or 78 year old kid is there. They already know...why is a missile employed? This boy is what kind of weapon? You know this kind of jet fighter...They know detail there the price.” ([88:56] - Lalawen)
  • Children’s education and safety shattered; “sometimes they can't sleep in the house. They sleep at the bomb shelter every night.” ([89:02] - Lalawen)

10. Final Reflections and Call to Action

• Accountability for International Actors:

  • “If your government engages in anyway with a military that has committed violence and mass killing in Myanmar then you share responsibility for this war crime. This is my final message.” ([89:42] - Lalawen)

• Faith in Change:

  • “Revolution is a...many change in our country between five years. Yeah I believe that is a the people and the media is a committee in future of our country.” ([90:50] - Lalawen)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Depression and Prison:
  • “I was more afraid of depression outside prison than anything inside. In prison, I could finally sleep.” ([15:32] - Lalawen)
• On the Value of Journalism:
  • “Media can be changed the world. So I believe that.” ([21:23] - Lalawen)
• On the dangers of double standards:
  • “If we didn't triple the whole side...is the problem.” ([38:09] - Lalawen)
• On the persistence of hope:
  • “They want to go back...their home is fire banning. It’s okay. They will be building again.” ([76:00] - Lalawen)
• To the international community:
  • “If your government engages in anyway with a military that has committed violence and mass killing in Myanmar then you share responsibility for this war crime.” ([89:42] - Lalawen)
• On Burmese resilience:
  • “Myanmar people is a very stronger.” ([57:11] - Lalawen)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Motivation for journalism: [02:31]–[03:57]
• Experiences interviewing Saffron monks: [05:54]–[06:52]
• Arrest, interrogations, and police strategy: [06:52]–[13:31]
• Reflections on imprisonment: [15:00]–[17:36]
• Return to journalism after release: [19:58]–[21:23]
• Media freedom under Thein Sein vs. NLD: [24:24]–[27:24]
• Back to war reporting after 2021 coup: [41:57]–[43:52]
• On frontline: airstrikes and landmines: [48:49]–[52:22]
• Working with foreign journalists: [53:26]–[55:56]
• Life in displacement and mental health: [58:56]–[65:10]
• Children and conflict: [86:47]–[89:02]
• Final message to the world: [89:42]–[90:50]

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Tone and Atmosphere

• Candid, urgent, and unflinchingly honest.
• The episode threads together the intimacy of personal struggle with the sweeping trauma and resilience of a nation at war.
• Hope, exhaustion, loss, and determination pulse through Lalawen’s testimony. Her voice and story center the lived experience of those seldom heard in mainstream coverage.

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For Listeners

This episode is essential for anyone seeking to understand the lived costs of Myanmar’s ongoing crisis—from the journalist’s frontline dangers to the daily survival of civilians and the enduring power of independent truth-telling. Lalawen’s story is not just one of danger, but of hope, agency, and the unbreakable drive for justice.

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Transcript

[A]

Imagine waking up in a country where every action carries risk, or holding on to hope as an act of rebellion. And where even the simplest routines, cooking dinner, sweeping the floor, driving to the market, can be touched by the shadow of resistance. What would that life be like at Insight? Me and my podcast, we're privile to hear from those who navigate this reality every day, finding ways to persevere, create and hope despite these immense challenges. Today, we invite you to listen to one such story. Welcome to their world.

[B]

Sam.

[C]

For this episode of Insight Myanmar podcast, we're joined by journalist Lalawen. Thank you so much for sitting down with us and talking about your story.

[B]

Yeah, thank you. I'm Lalawen and the freelance journalist Myanmar and then I am former political prisoner. I am former TVP journalist and now I work in the freelance journalist with the international media.

[C]

What was it that made you want to get into journalism in the first place?

[B]

When I was young I was working as an education teacher. But 2007, the suffering revolution I saw the military is a very attached the innocent people, you know who I decide at that time something I want to do for this, this military. And then I joined to the TVB and then I working start DBB journalist at that time after 2007 revolution several revolution.

[C]

Right. So 2007, when the monks were doing nonviolent protests and the military crackdown on them, that motivated you to leave your position as a teacher and to want to be a journalist. As I understand joining DVB then a coup years later, you began interviewing monks who were involved in Saffron and also who witnessed atrocities and murders of fellow monks by the military. Talk about that experience of, of. Of starting to interview monks who were involved in Saffron. What, what was that like? What did you learn?

[B]

Yeah, at that time I knew when the generalist, I don't know, not met.

[C]

But

[B]

when I was interviewed with the Mon and then people I listened to people feeling and then struggle to their life. So at the time I decided do something for them. So I choose the journalist is the one on my way, you know.

[C]

So that motivated you to want to get into journalism?

[B]

I had to motivate for then.

[C]

Yeah. And how did you learn how to be a journalist?

[B]

The DVV get the training to me 2008 and then learning myself and then learning for my senior. And then the real training is after I released from prison in Tiangong. So at that time I trained, I learned into the editing and other journalism. You know the real training is from. I relieve from the prison at the time the DBB is on L. So I'm learning the from this interview is the DPP TV is on L. And then send on my friends and teach them to me how to make the interview and how to add the question and then how to do the video editing and sound recording. So I learning from myself and from my senior.

[C]

And can you tell us which monks were you talking to? And what did you learn from them?

[B]

So long time. So they say it's the military is killing people in. In two years ago in. So I hear that. But two or three days later after interview. Two or three days later I arrested. So there is food is already given the soldier and police. So I hear that how to abuse the military and soldier the police and how to killing their family member. But that all food cannot upload, you know, because they keep everything.

[C]

How did the military know you were doing that?

[B]

Because I am stranger. I am stranger in Tokoku the middle in Burma. So one of his content in fountain. The girl is arrived to the dead city and then she is a. A different other guy. And then she talking with many civilian and then is a man other man. So that they. They find me between two or three days everyone, every house, you know. And two days later they founded me. Because at that time the Internet is not good in Myanmar. So if I return back to Yangon is that I can upload that video. So they find everyone me and my camera. The military is a no, that interview is well public. It's well public. The cenotes approved. I get the cenote wise and Senate approved. Is they killing the people and the men and arrested. So they afraid that I never get my food. I never get back my food or my food and memory guys. They keep everything.

[C]

But how did the military know about you?

[B]

I don't know. That's a. I informer the NLE youth member. And then it's a. My faith is a different other guy. You know, it's a lost life young lady and then different face. So they know something is because one of one of my friends contact. I think. I think it's not you. One of my friend contact with the officer from police and then he found them. Yeah. So they arrested to me at that night and then killed everything with my friend another friends. So they asked many questions about DVV and about energy. Is that 44 nights. So the later I can't. I didn't sleep the 40 and four nights. I think as many questions at that time. And then later, seven days later I I was ill. Ill I can't think nothing and then I can't talk to them and then they sent to me the hospital. Then three weeks later. They sent to me the police station the first time the house. I don't know anyone. Where's the house? And then where is that house? Three weeks later they sent me the first time to police station.

[C]

How were you feeling?

[B]

A phrase that phrase. But I'm 23 year old at the time the afraid that's a. I thought in my mind it's a planning to that question is my first priority is not don't say to the the office or DVV the small office in Yangon. The my first priority as a they if for example they as a 10 questions I answer the nine question is two and then the one is a fourth question I answer the fourth so they don't know so because the nine question is a two they don't know is that the one is a fourth. So my first priority is don't they don't don't to know the the outfit in Yangon.

[C]

So you're saying that DVB had a secret office that was located in Yangon

[B]

office and secrets the contact member contact

[C]

person you know and the military did not know where this office was. So you decided strategically, cleverly, you decided that you would answer truthfully all the safe questions but the dangerous sensitive questions that would be the one you would lie on.

[B]

So that's.

[C]

That's. That's very interesting. And that worked?

[B]

Yeah, it's working.

[C]

It's not. Yeah. You kept the DVB office safe.

[B]

Yeah. And then no one arrested because of me after I arrested nowhere the 10 also case arrested the other one you know is following the other one and arrested them. So my case is that no one arrested because of me in Yangon but my friend in Bakoku City is that he arrested to me and so this

[C]

was September 2009 and you were sentenced to 27 years in prison. You must have been shocked.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. I was staying in Peace Prison 2002 years and had.

[C]

But you don't know that when you. When you enter prison you think Maybe I have 27 years for and you were 23 years old and you had done nothing wrong. You had just done journalism. So do you remember how you felt getting a 20. You're 23 years old. You have a 27 year sentence. You've done nothing except for your job of journalism. Do you remember what was going through your mind when you heard 27 years?

[B]

Yeah, I heard the death sentence at 27 yeah. Was that I decided in politics is where we change. I will release. I know, clearly. So I went into time. You know, it's no reason. So when I arrived to prison. Working day by day. You know, I never talk to tomorrow day by day what to do. Well, what I do tomorrow today is learning and reading and then teach the teaching the kids in Brazil. Yeah. I do my work day by day, not taught to tomorrow. So. And then 20002010 November is an election. It was election in 2010 November. The change the government, you know, civilian government. I already know is that I will be released to prison between one or two years.

[C]

Oh, okay. Okay. Yeah. How were the prison conditions?

[B]

It's good. But the 2021 after coup is the prison is very bad at this time. 2008 or 9 or 10 is a bad for that time.

[C]

Right. I don't think I've ever asked the question how are prison conditions? And have the answer is good. I don't think I've ever heard that before in the Myanmar context. So how were the in ways did you find the prison conditions good?

[B]

Yeah, it's a very interesting. Yeah. My mom is a. She never liked that answer. Yeah. You think? Before my arrest I worried about the police and the soldier arrested me, arrested me. And then I worry about the place or rent a house and then worry about the food, worry about my ward, my. The interview. So when I When I arrested to arrest me. I never worry about foods and rental house. And then worry about the depression. Oral depression. You know, I never worry the depression for. Is someone for example, is that someone came to my here before arrest them. Is they using the motorbike ifra. If he is come to me and then he will arrest to me. I always the depression for that because I working as a TBB journalist at the TBB and then I am underground journalist. So I worry always. Always. Every day, every night. I can't sleep when I When I arrive in prison. I sleep every day, every night. You know, it's a dear that depression is a. Is a. Is bad for me. You know, it's a deep depression is more afraid for me.

[C]

I mean some people when they go to prison then they face mental imbalance depression. They face very serious difficulties. But you're saying that you were depressed before prison and prison cured your depression.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Is that what you mean?

[B]

Yes, I am. Because I have many stress before. Yeah. When I arrest them. So after arrested I worry about to me not other. You know, it's a. In prison I talked with talk to with other Criminal lady. And then I Then I teach him to the. They are kids their children in prison. And then I learning their language, the ethnic language at that time. Because they sent to me the northern Burma the prison Qatar prison. So I learning the new language and new ethnic people and then teaching their kids. So I am busy in prison time. But the prison state is better for me because in innocent prison the state is abused to the prisoner and other criminal prisoners. That's different. The ethnic area is the star is. I think they do not appeal to me.

[C]

So you're saying because you're Bamar Buddhist then you don't face the same abuse as the ethnic or religious minorities, Is that right?

[B]

Yeah, yeah. And then it's a. Because that. That's the other reason is that they are not. They are uneducated because they don't know who is a political. Who is a political prisoner and journalist. They know the star is a no, this she is a problem guy. So. And then they take. They carefully talk to me and then they give to me as a standard boat and send out additional things. You know, it's boat or medicine or food.

[C]

Right. So then when you were released from prison, what did you do next?

[B]

Yeah, I decided so stand on My former NL youth member is called me. And then you should come back to the party and then work together. I say no because in prison I fall my life. I found myself. I found my will. I want to be in journalist. I know I I decided is the government or the the energy party or other people is a do something mistake. I would. I was rapport to them the everyone you know, if the channel is better for me for my life journalist what is A is in my way. Right.

[C]

So you have the choice in looking at the future of your country. If you can help better by being a journalist or you can help better by being in politics. And you decided that you could be more of a force for good in journalism than politics. Why was that?

[B]

My One of my policy is the famous word you hear better. But one of my policy is that media can be changed the world. So I believe that so. And then is that the journalist what is my favorite thing and then is a journalist can do everything and then the one of the portal is a change of world, you know. So I believe that I because of the. I every choose the choosing this. This world. Yeah.

[C]

Are there. Are there examples of in Myanmar or other countries where you've seen a journalist who's changed the world through their work?

[B]

Yeah. For Ismore. You know, it's A everyone never know about the KN stay but 32 day 2 year ago is the warplay photo Pride is a in so it's a somewhat people know that about the Kennedy state we call OTAS portal, right?

[C]

Yeah. Because of journalism. You were involved in NLD youth before and you decided to go to journalism instead of going back. Did you was part of your reason to want to go to journalism and not nld? Did you start to lose confidence or faith in NLD or was that not. Was that not any part of it?

[B]

Yeah yeah. I don't have any conflict with them, but because they are my friends of all is my friend the WD minister. Minister or so I have a relation good relation to pan. Yeah.

[C]

To the nld.

[B]

To the nld.

[C]

Yeah. Yeah. But you just decided you you wanted to put your energy into. Into journalism. So then during the transition period and especially after 2015, the NLD took power. And I think that this is a very interesting moment because before 2015 in some ways you could see both the independent media and the nld they're both in opposition in some ways to the brutalities and the terror of the military. But things change after 2015 because then you know, these are your friends and, and. And you still support them. But then the NLD takes power and then independent media is still or should be still independent media. So did that relationship change?

[B]

Yes. Many things between 10 years as someone asked to me it's a good time for your job. It's a good time. In between 10 years someone asked me, I said the 2013, 12, 13 to 50 is the coastal because the new government went to credit. So they give the independent media and then many how to say many chant for other media, you know, local media or international Media. But after 2015, the Energy Party is will be government. So standard law is a law is fair about the media. For instance, media law is a standard fail. You know, so they don't want to be media that they don't want to be. How to say they don't want to be? They don't like Senate channelists and Senate media is in parliament and then is a outside of parliament is a like that. Yeah. They how to say they push the free anode expression. Yeah. You know, preanno expression is I think less and less after 2015.

[C]

So you're saying that as. As an independent journalist, you had more freedom under the Thin Sen administration than the Aung San SUU Kyi administration.

[B]

Yeah, because the things in government is that they. They want to be credit from the Indonesian and then.

[C]

Well, that you say they want to be credit. But I mean if journalists are free, they can. They can give credit or not. They can also have criticism. They can. They can investigate things. So, you know, when you decide to open something up, you can't. If they're really free independent journalists, you can't open only for credit. You need to open completely. And so, you know, so I want to check to make sure I understand what you're saying. When the Thane say administration opened up, they. They. I believe you're saying they didn't open up just to allow journalists to praise them. They genuinely opened up. And to some extent, and not fully, but to some extent they did allow journalists to do more of their work. And we've heard this from other guests as well. They did allow journalists to be able to operate certainly more freely than before Thein Sein. But strangely enough, and this is what other guests have said journalists also had more freedom to operate than in the NLD administration. Is that correct?

[B]

Yeah, correct. For ASMR is many channel is relieved from prison by Taising government. And then we work in the freedom at that time. And after 2050 by energy government. Sino journalist is arrested. For example. You know, Sino journalism it's showing the independent media is less and less. You know, democracy government, you know.

[C]

Right. Were you surprised by that?

[B]

Yeah, I. I do many campaign for them and Chotu free and you know, it's a many me and my friend the journalist crew is a. We did many campaigns for them.

[C]

Right. And. But you had been an NLD youth. So you still had friends in NLD when you decided to go towards journalism. So did you have conversations with your friends at that time?

[B]

Yeah, a little. Because they think we stand with the ones that you remember is that I never do that I never do that channel is reported. They are channelists. That channel is to their job. You know, it's a. How to say the army is killed civilian. It's true. The channel report that new they do their job. Some of my friends think it's a shame of government that kids you know is a they they campaign is we stand with on San Suji in in in the city or Yangon. I never do that. I never join that campaign.

[C]

How did you feel about those campaigns?

[B]

10, 10 year maybe 8 year later we see that can be invest. You went to the IC jail the lady so eight years later the impact is a big. You know at now now is a son of politics son of Ativa is told to that case it's a she Made the mistake understand better after 2018 or 70 is that no one talked to her is that she made mistake no one talked to her. That's a eight year later and six years later is after coup is activist and then it's a politician is that they said is that she made the mistake going going to the ict.

[C]

Now some people have said that have suggested that that she was in a very difficult position and she was and she had very limited options. And so she. She was doing this not because she wanted to but as a way to satisfy the military. And there's an argument that it's unfair to criticize her because. Because she did not have full control she had very limited options. What are your thoughts on that?

[B]

However at the she is the leader of the country you know she should be think the impact of the ICG. I individual I'm individual respect to her. So I left to her. I left her very mess. But we must be. We must be rapport if he doing the misting I believe that and when

[C]

she was state counselor did you feel that you had the ability to report in the way that you want to?

[B]

Yes, I do. At the time I reported the account of the we stand with campaign.

[C]

Oh you reported on that?

[B]

Not not face rebel is I think writing

[C]

what did you write about it? How did you cover it?

[B]

I cover it by the channel side as a journalist do their work. It's not mistake you know it's a. I always covered by the general war and they are rule and their chance and always I repute that you were

[C]

in the NLD youth before your friends were still there. After 2015 did there start to be a kind of split between those who went towards journalism and those who went towards nld

[B]

not mad I didn't I We. We is not distant you know because of that case always we talking about the other case and other world not

[C]

distant for me but not just that case. I mean like those in NLD are trying to defend NLD and trying to defend the leader of the NLD which was you know some have criticized as not exactly having a democratic encouraging a democratic structure really being top down and leader focused and those in media are trying to report freely whatever they see whatever. Whatever is important to society. They're they're trying to bring out to tell people honestly what's going on. So these are. These are kind of going in two different directions. So did you ever feel that with your friends in NLD as you started to go deeper into media?

[B]

Yeah, I feel in that because. We foreign or media about the media law and media campaign. So we invite the member and then the politician and the activists, but we cannot do that. The law is not stable. At that time. We, we didn't get the agreement for them.

[C]

And do you remember, did you have conversations with your NLD friends, you know, kind of arguing about how they wanted to defend and you wanted to report.

[B]

Yeah, especially 60. 60. Yeah, the, the one of the free and especially long. We do, we did, we did campaign, but campaign and forum and many discussion about that. But we never. Agreement for the NAD member and energy, the member of Parliament. We never agreed from them.

[C]

It's reminding me, you know, I spoke to HN9, the founder of DVB and he described how the early foundings of DVB as it was supported by, through Oslo, that many were student activists in the 88 generation, including himself, who had been protesting and resisting. And some went in different directions. Some went to armed conflict and others to exile and some to journalism. And so the early seeds of independent Burmese journalism were largely, if not entirely, from the student resistance movement. And so you had people in journalism that had had their start by stepping outside of their university life to protest the military regime. So these two, the, the, the early beginnings, you know, the resistance movement and the media, they were entirely aligned because they were, they were more or less the same thing, just different arms of the same thing. But then in the interview, HN9 talks about how he started to become aware that that being independent media brought about a certain kind of ethics and understanding that that at times had to be separate from the resistance movement. And he talked explicitly about how there would be some arguments from some of the resistance actors that they didn't understand why the media couldn't just be a mouthpiece for them, couldn't just amplify what they wanted amplified without doing their own work. And how some tension developed when he had to assert the rights of independent media among all the different actors, which is incredibly different in Myanmar because, you know, you have some actors that are very, very, very bad. You can't say both sides. But just because some actors are extremely bad doesn't mean that you should cover up and not report the, the actors that aren't as bad, that are trying to, to, to move towards a democratic way, but are sometimes not achieving what they say they're doing that has to be covered. And so this is a dynamic, I think, inherent in the origins of Burmese local journalism, at least after the military coup. I mean, Burmese journalism goes back in the parliamentary democracy age and even in the Colonial period. It's not like Burmese journalism began after 1990, but it was suppressed in those years. So after 1990 is when the current incarnation of Burmese journalism really took off. And in those cases we see how much it was aligned and then how it started to split apart and local journalism had to assert their rights as separate from. From resistance. And so this same pattern I wonder how this same pattern that was happening in the 1990s and the 2000s if then you experienced it as a younger person in the 2010s.

[B]

Yeah, I didn't agree that that we managed to sell the both side now. So the other endful is ground as in Myanmar. And then we have to say the both side and then we have to repose the both side. The human right violation. And then it is. It has a both side human rights violation. It's a same time, same place, same world. Yeah. We have to look the outside. That means a journalist you know someone says we can report both sides because the government, the military is more better than bad. We think so we think the 10 year later and five years later is the Democratic is a democratic party is a better for all. You know how to say it's a people is a belief. The one side you know that is impact now if we didn't triple the whole side is the problem is they have

[C]

and is that something you found that your friends in nld in the 2010s didn't really understand?

[B]

Yeah, but son of my friend is accepted now.

[C]

Oh they accept now but they didn't accept then. Yeah, very interesting.

[B]

Yeah, very interesting. I told them. I told you it's a five year later. Seven year later. Isaac.

[C]

Wow, that's powerful. Yeah. Why do you believe that independent journalism is so important to a democratic society?

[B]

So in society didn't have a don't have the independence not only journalism law and independence journalists and media and law is it didn't know stronger. It's a well being failure in our country. And then people will be the killing by now we we see it's a killing by the military. That's a later later we can see the killing by the endful. You know it's a democratic so everything can be can be do. Yeah. We have independent media.

[C]

Right. So then the Coup happens

[B]

in 2021 December the I did open the medicine store at the time and then cook happening is I decide oh I I must be doing something for the journalists and to leave everything my own. It's my business.

[C]

Oh, so you had left journalism.

[B]

Yeah, two or three years before coup

[C]

I said why did you you were so passionate about journalism though. Why did you change careers?

[B]

I raised the journalist award because I deliver my son and deliver my son. And then I found publication book publication as a this book publication house. So I do So I did the business the book publication and busy before coups and with my baby. And after coups after coup. As I decided here is the coup happening. So okay. I start to work my I start to my journalist was and then decided and then leave everything my business and my staff. Then I moved to the another house and then started the contact my senior Myanmar and Kiddi and Myanmar Press photo entity in many media it's about my people. Okay. I had a At the time I had a thinker Internet thinker. So all Internet is cut out my country. So the many the editor is contacting me what happened in in Django. And then they they give me the admin their media page. And then I upload the live stream upload the photo and new article is everything I do. I did.

[C]

You went right back into it.

[B]

Yeah yeah.

[C]

But were you. Weren't you afraid for your safety and the safety being a new mother and family. Weren't you afraid of the risks as you entered back into that?

[B]

Yeah, of course I I had a worry about that better. The important is for me is a civilian and people you know more important for me. So I decided you know it's a media is a or a media is at the time cut out the Internet. And then they know the outside countries that they know what happened in Myanmar at that time. February, 3, 4, 5, 6.

[C]

You know,

[B]

I did many things many reporting in February Mass. April, May. And the after mail is that I can't go outside because the military is watching me. And they know my voice because the news lies rebooting in my why in Myanmar media is that they know. They already know my voice. Yeah. Because I am former DVD journalist. I reporting. I was reporting. So they already knew my voice. So I can't go outside. May July. So and then finally I decided I can't go outside but send off reporting, send off photo send off videos all of my friends and all of my contacts sent to me. And then I upload to the other the many media that photo and death report. So I decided it's a outside of. To be outside of country. You're outside your country. So. And then I went to Thailand July July. Yes I know July.

[C]

So when you started to find yourself in in danger then you had to you had to leave Myanmar like So many other people.

[B]

Yeah. So better though I removed to the Thailand and then December is the first time I go back to the Burma side. Yeah. In liberated area and then reporting take my documentary and then 2000 start to the 2021 December I sent the time I traveled many times inside Burma to the liberator area.

[C]

You and you've been on the front lines. You've been in war zones and active conflict. Had you ever done anything like this before?

[B]

No, never.

[C]

What was your first experience like?

[B]

So excited because I hear that the first time I hear that Ms. Eye. Ms. Eye and this weapon wise is here. Is I so excited in. In. In the bone shadow. Yeah.

[C]

Was it hitting close to you?

[B]

Yeah, yeah. I feeling that you're excited. You're not scared not scala because you know that newborn baby and girl and two ladies with me. So. I. I'm not peace girl I think but I excited. You know you said we are the same people and same citizen. You know I am not special for them. So I'm generally better they are civilian. And then newborn baby is I think 20 or 25 years old. Yeah. I never forget is that I never forget is a death experience. You know the mother is shed his son. Yeah. Because he. He worried about the missile wise. Very loud.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Right.

[C]

So then as you go into conflict zones I think. I think many people a normal reaction would be fear and specifically fear of death. This is right. The fear of death is. Is right in front of you when there are bullets and soldiers and airstrikes and landmines and artillery and mortars and everything else.

[B]

How.

[C]

How do you come to understand and relate to this fear of death when you're in conflict zones?

[B]

Yeah. Many conflict zone is attached by airstrike. Yeah. I worry especially. Especially attached by airstrike because I can't control the air strike. Whereas the bullets and missile and weapon is a little controlled for me because far away from that area. And then I so the airstrike is a cannot control. It's a the bitterest to add the airstrike I think and liberate the ADR on front line zone. I think the unlucky not mad. They say it's the same time one night, three, two years ago. It's less in the house. The jet fighter is coming. I hear it's coming. But normal time. You know we have 20 seconds. We had a time. I can't do nothing between 30 seconds. You know, I hear I call my brother. It's a little brother. He's a founder or the anfu he said it's coming coming the S fly coming and then between 20 minutes later is Ahiya for me it's not. Not here the other the next building.

[C]

But when you hear the sound of the jets there's no. You don't know where they're going. There's nowhere you can go. There's nothing you except if there's some shelter. You don't know what's coming.

[B]

Yeah, I don't know what's coming. That experience later is that I always sleeping with near the bottom. I always is my foreign journalist Oros my or friends or channel is okay. You must be sleep that's bomb shut down

[C]

and sometimes in the middle of the night. Have you had experiences of having to wake up and jump in the bomb shelter?

[B]

Yeah, many times.

[C]

Really?

[B]

Yeah, many times.

[C]

Have you been close to airstrikes?

[B]

Yeah, one. Yeah one time I have seen the airstrike is a not my place that the Nate's play or the next valley.

[C]

How about landmines.

[B]

In Kenny I was travel. I want travel to Kenny this year. January. I see the landmine industry. My car is a. How to say it's a drive in across the landmine. Is it Some of people people is a. There's a landmine. There is a size stone based stone around the landmine.

[C]

Oh, so they were identified.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[C]

Huh. And you you. So they were identified and the car just had the go on the other side of them. That must have been scary.

[B]

Yeah. The first time.

[C]

Yeah. Yeah. Right. So you know, you're. You're both a journalist and a fixer. You. You're a journalist yourself that goes and reports in conflict areas extensively. And you're also a fixer that has brought foreign journalists safely into many conflict areas for them to report and film and and. And do interviews and everything else. And so I think this is a unique opportunity for you to bring the reality of the conflict zones to our listeners. Most of our listeners have never including myself have never been in a conflict zone before. Have never been in an act of war before. And this is happening in your country. And so I'd like to ask you as a journalist to take us immersively to describe what is the experience like when you're in this environment. So people who have never been in that kind of situation might understand more.

[B]

Yeah, so my experience, you know generally is a very general war is very easy to me myself for myself that the freestyle world is very difficult to me, you know because the journalist never listen. So I worry. I manage their. The journalist when I When I was a visa it managed his or her security and then return safely went return back to the Thailand. And then it's. I managed to cut a good interview and to cut the good photo and then to cut the together from my experience. So it's a. The what is visa job is a more difficult for me.

[C]

Yeah. How so?

[B]

Yeah, because a journal is how to say is it? They need more. They need more is in my mind I think that this is enough to him. But the journalist never enough to him enough to their world. They always my friend is that they already request to me and they need more more clothes more total. You know more interview with them. That is a different one.

[C]

So it you find that the foreign journalists in the way they want more that puts you into greater proximity of danger and risk.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. Because I am local. I am local. I understood everything. And then deathly and then death area. They don't understand about the human about the police, about the. About the situation.

[C]

So do you find that in some. In some cases they're a little reckless?

[B]

Yes, I explained many times to them.

[C]

Yeah, but they keep pushing

[B]

sometimes.

[C]

Yeah yeah.

[B]

Not always. But son of my foreign channel is a very good person as they listen to me and then they follow their their rule especially photojournalist or video channel is the nimble. But my My general friend is a channel. My general friend is mostly is a writer cross minimizer. The how to say. The conflict is many conflicts are ongoing across Myanmar. And then the people who suffer the move from the. These were civilians, you know. So I saw many disabled youth inside Burma. It is broken to me. Their age is 20 or 25. And then they lose their lay or. And or so it says Yen. Many use their life in the war zone. Their lives stay in the war zone. You know. So the conflict is in Our country is 70% or 65. 70% is a conflict zone in the country. In our country we see that many people is the people are now to get less and less essential habit to get the essential habits. You know, education and health care. Great. But you never believe that the people is more stronger. To me yeah. When I trouble inside Burma many times the people is. How does it the people is a continue fighting to end the military. Yeah. So they already know is the end of the military. They can cast a good life, good food, you know, good health care system and then good education. They already know the people. It's Myanmar people is a very stronger.

[C]

There are some people in the international community who have been. Who have been sharing that the conflict has been going on so long that many Myanmar people are getting tired. They just. They want some kind of resolution, that they want some kind of life ahead. That the morale and the enthusiasm for the revolution and resistance it's as naturally happens it's starting to decrease and people just want some degree of stability. Even if the military is still in some kind of control from the people that you talk to and the places you go, do you believe that there's some truth in that or do you believe that the motivation for the revolution after five years is just as strong? How would you describe the morale and the feeling.

[B]

In conflict zone is the area is active fighting depends year by year expanded year by year. So it's a pigeon fire. You know people know four is a month. Four is a month. 20, 21 December the first time I go back to the inside palm the front line in Kenya state is that I wear the hijab the Muslim the young lady like that I'm wearing the hijab cover my face the first time.

[C]

Why?

[B]

Because I crawled down SNC control area I was across because I so I cover my face. I want to cover my face. My face is a different. You know it's a light eyes and face is a different. So sac already know my face because in on L&TB reporting and taught you school.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

So the first time I cover my feet like the Muslim Muslim lady. Yeah, Islam lady. So wearing this he said to Because I I went to the. I went to the. I want to go to the concrete. The crawl area is a controlled by sec. So and then 20, 22, 23, 24, 25 many times I was across the border and then I travel. I was. I had traveled many liberated area. I never covered my face. You know I don't. I never need to cover my face. Using the control the revolution and for control areas more by more so people know that. Yeah Santa panelist we I watching Death Valley and that's people There are different changes in between five, four or five years. For example, the corporate city is the palace One of the palace is after two or three years later they have a cleaning small clinic and then they opening the own the. The school the education they're running. You know for example in Knee we saw the Knee college and Knee University and then the small clinic they do is a major operation inside Burma in Guazam you know we have more and more the control area not only PDF and full and bell also the ethnic and full. The best of the military is loose less by less. Yeah the control area Region five. Yeah. I feelings. I feel the. When I saw the people in Wazo the shoot the old and old lady. Old man is okay. More better. The Yen guy is it man also Yen soldier Yen period or Yen ethnic lady or wine. They feeling depression.

[C]

Really?

[B]

Yeah. I need many yen youth. Many youth. I think they need to the counseling Mental health. Mental health.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. A thousand. A thousand odd youth is a need of counseling. One of my brother is. It's not real brother. Biological brother. Is it just brother. Sometimes he's shouting on the mountain. I need. I already know. He needs a consonant. And then he needs to relax to the bosom.

[C]

What is he shouting?

[B]

I want to go home. And then he shout in the. He went to see his mother.

[C]

That's hard.

[B]

So I saw many things many problems inside Burma. But I believe that the people is stronger than me. I took the recording the video recording footage for the NAC movie. And it's a documentary. The Kaita is my brother. It's another brother he found is the end fool. In my mind I never forgot that shooting and that the food that recording. He never sing his younger son because his wife pregnant is that he move into the jungle. Started moving to the jungle. He never seen and then deliver the baby. I think that baby is a seven day. Seven days. So the small baby. He caught the video video call. He. He calling his wife. And then his wife. The newborn baby. There is a newborn baby. He is a 70. And then he looks like your eyes. And then hell the wise to him. So he. He looked. He lost his newborn baby on video call and record to over the shoulder to him. That video call talking to his. Talking with his wife. I want to. I want to use in me. And the producer is we using that video footage. It's a very beautiful. You know. We wait in the one year for on that documentary because we wait in the family. His family move in to the Changha and then the librarian area to move into the Liberia area. So we. We waited one year for. Because that's. We. We want to use that food. I never forget. And then one year and six months later he first died. He's the newborn baby in Basam. I believe people is continue to fight in many kind of way to the end of the military detachment. Yeah. Son of people is a. They doing. They tweet the boycott. No no no train the PR the military project BR secret. And then no using the. The mitel Internet. You know Mitel phone sync. And then some of people is a support to the resistance. For and Revolution 4 and then son of people is always. I remember one of the families the Kenyin family old family. The old lady is. She said. I know when we accept the PDF rules and then destroy we will be the military will be destroying everything in their bellies. And that house or grew as bad as my house destroys can be again bearing. You know, the military is because of SF to the this endful and PDF endful. It's okay. My house destroying. I will be. I will be building against very strong guy. You know. It's an old lady. I think she. She was. She is over 60. She always support to the anvil and then cooking for them sending to the food. Every time. I have been to refugee camp in Mela in Thailand three months ago they stay in Deccan is many times the fennel people is five or six or 10 years. They stay waiting when to go to the test country. And then they stay waiting to get the liver cat bad different. You know. IDB in. In the inside country is that we have many temporary IDB can in. In my country. 3 weeks ago I had been to the one of the IDB So they never seen the airstrike attack. And because they are new news. The more town is a the new fighting in that area is the resistance control by that city from military. So the silver layer is never seen the SRI. And because between 40 years is they stay they this day he asked they are stable. And then three weeks ago is that they phrase better the moving to the forest in the jungle and then cooking together and then find the. How to say the jungle food. You know, find the jungle food. Not the IDV rushing not enough for them. So that is find the jungle food in the forest.

[C]

This is tenantory.

[B]

Yeah. So I asked then he said. How do you think that when you come back to your home? But they believe. I think that one or two months later we were back to my home. Bad. We need more preparing the bone shadow. You know. Know the Moshada and covering the medicine. So they already know.

[C]

Wow.

[B]

They already know. And then I I asked her if the the military is a control that area is easy for them. This they answer my question. Wendy will be arise where we arrive at that place. You know, they feeling that how to say it. They never seen the asteroid and bombing their Hong Kong area. They never think. But when they attack my asteroid and bone and weapon and missiles. They feeling is. Oh, other place like that other people is like the skull like me. They feeling.

[C]

It must be such a shock though.

[B]

Yeah, right. I think that they will be campus to the their home and then more stronger.

[C]

When you visit these IDP camps can you describe the. The conditions and hardships and. And also the mental balance of. Of what. What is the. What is the reality of life there for those who have never been.

[B]

Especially in China. The kids had a mental violence. You know is that they never seen the design wise.

[C]

And I can imagine.

[B]

Yeah I can imagine the order. The orders is that they already know about that because of the reading the new. You know they learning. But the kid is the first time for them. They afraid this cow Russian is a. For the kids is a. The stranger is coming their IDV. It's like very sad. They think is that they need more Russian and then food and then candy. They should be get. They can get the candy or food or ration and noodles. You know. They hopefully when I see the stranger

[C]

visit to their camp who was providing them the rations.

[B]

Can you and Thanos use cso? Not knows how to say it and not register cso. Is the youth in stay in the town? Is they making the cruise and then they donate from other people and then buying something for them. And then can you given give to the rice and noodle. And then other people donate to them. Right. The reality is when the thing is one priority is they want to go back their home. However their home is fire banning. It's okay. The reality is that they want to go back there native town and native place condition is these cancer. I think they need more medicine. They need more medicine and how to say. The bitter vitamin. Yeah, vitamin.

[C]

And I imagine mental health is also a challenge in these camps.

[B]

Mental health need to the old IDV camp. But the new one is don't need the medhab. They hopefully they will come back to their home. They will come back to their town as soon as but five or six months later. The old IDV care is a little down their mental health. Yeah. I can tell the experience on my experience of me experience on my other place. They preparing the long time food and Russian and bone shadow is a deeply deep bones and then medicine. I always sharing my experience to them. Yeah, you should be. You should be preparing the more Russian medicine and counseling program. Yeah. Especially the leader or idv. Can I sharing the sharing to the energy leader. You know send us attributes about that. Yeah. I always return back to the trick the sharing to them. Yeah. In person or sometimes send a message and then do something for them so they understand some people is support to them. Especially for ASMR is in Trinidad. It's a new IDB and then I send a message it's a medicine network and then energy bar making the energy bar I send the message they need more medicine and then they understand sharing to the planet they provide to share it sharing to dazzling right and the

[C]

nug has been helping them

[B]

I I hope so is a especially the nug woman and child ministry former ministry that's just the the. The lady is I always send the message to her is what happening in this area what happening in this that's ad situation the women and child the most difficult problem the big problem is I think or place EDI is extra you know attached by on ground and missile and weapon you know we can control we can control maybe 7 or 770 or 80% but Astro we never control so people by people is by killing an asteroid attack by asteroid you know people many people dying because of the asteroid that's auto area you know sometimes the battle battle is happening that the resistance and for in front of the people it's a battle happening moving to the another place they already know what happening to that place that area but the asteroid they never know the is. Russian and medicine is the most important that the break area you know as a people cannot grow at their place and then they don't have enough food and then they don't have a health girl in that area and then education the education is a left you know the most important thing is healthcare and Russian I think it is medical school because some people cut their leg Delhi sent to the hospital and Delhi referred to the Thailand you know the medical support is a very very important or the liberated area for example is King State is the Cochrane is very far away from the Thailand and then the accident happening the leg the leg is broken the inside in front line the the patient is carrying to the second line the sergeant is he he said if if he we can if we sent him to hand directly to the Thai hospital is he see his link we see his link save it yeah and then because we cannot send to the directly to Thailand because the template is very long and then logistics is difficult so the at that time he's like cutting the second line clinic because it's still long take the time because take the time the blood is loose more and more so they decided cutting the leg but not operation ruins I stay out of the clinic I I stand in and my calling generally is waiting his new I hear his shouting

[C]

that must be hard to forget yeah

[B]

what is one of my my Tao Da is he's leading in jungle clinic. The toda is very close to me. And always I visit to the his clinic. One of the patient. He's a former pediatrician cut his leg in daytime. Daytime. He's talking the two mad joke, you know. And then many people make the happy hit joke. You know. Always he. He making the joke in daytime. And I always in daytime I sing his mind always when I When he's dressing. And then when he eating all the way he make made that joke. Everyone for everyone bad at the night. So the snow. The season is a cold. Every night he's shouting feeling the head because his leg is very hot at night. But he sleep. But his wife. How to say that hot. I listened as a his voice very hard when he was sleeping. Because the season is cool. And after morning after night the morning is he's okay.

[C]

Yeah, it must be hard.

[B]

Yeah. He must be hurt every night and then after morning after. After night. Every morning, every afternoon is he making the job? The kids cannot go to school in liberated area because the air tried attached by school or hospital. You know. So one day I hear the misang voice. I hear the missile crying. Many kids ran into their home in front of me. Because they landing at one of the house and other one of the house. The. The teacher. The teaching is a one day. One day the kids hear the mission brides and take everything and go their home is. It's being broken my heart. So 5 or 78 year old kid is there. They already know. Is that why is a missile employed? This boy is what kind of weapon? You know this kind of jet fighter. This. This boy or the jet fighter came in. They already knew. Yeah. Better than me. Yeah. They can listening to you about the mission, about the weapon, about the 120 bride the new weapon out. And then jet fighter and then wine 12. You know. They already knew. They know detail there the price.

[C]

Yeah. And there's. They're running to their homes. But there's not necessarily safety in their homes.

[B]

Yeah. Because they have every house. Oh I see in liberated area it's oral valleys. Not just drying valleys, it's many valleys in many house has a ponchetta in there near their house. And enter their house. Sometimes they can't sleep in the house. They sleep at the boat shutter every night.

[C]

That's hard.

[B]

What I want to say listen to this podcast interview is if your government engages in anyway with a military that has committed violence and mass killing in Myanmar then you share responsibility for this war crime. This is my final message. Yeah. Revolution is a can be changed. You know we don't fight here but the people think it's a it's a that revolution impact is a slow I don't think so. The revolution is a revolution is a many change in our country between five years. Yeah I believe that is a the people and the media is a committee in future of our country. Foreign.

[A]

We're glad to have had you with us for this episode of Insight Myanmar Podcast. You might know that beyond sharing stories and conversations on this platform, we also carry out humanitarian projects through our nonprofit mission, Better Burma. As we all know, the challenges these days are vast, but so too too are the opportunities to provide meaningful support. Your contributions go towards supporting critical initiatives such as providing food, medical supplies, and basic necessities to internally displaced persons in conflict zones. You can help to fund healthcare services that save lives and bring dignity to those in need. Your generosity also supports education efforts for children, helps mobile medical clinics, and provides care packages to political prisoners, just to name a few of the many programs we sponsor. You can support these impactful efforts and directly contribute to our projects which uplift and empower those most affected by this crisis in Myanmar. Visit better burma.orgdonation to join us in this mission.