First Glimpses of the Camp

This week I finally had the opportunity to visit the camp. After the first day I just didn't have words to describe what I was thinking or feeling. With so much build up over the months leading up to this experience I needed and continue to need time to process my thoughts and feelings of what I am seeing and experiencing. Although I am told that this particular camp is actually not very remote compared to most of the others, the location has been the most awe inspiring thing for me. The road to the camp is a very rough temporary trail simply hacked out of jungle... it really lends to an outsider the feeling of running deep into the jungle to escape fighting and to hide; simply setting up camp and waiting. It is so strange that the settlement can feel so temporary and yet so permanent at the same time. It is that temporary/permanent contradiction that is so interesting to me. The infrastructure of the camp, in terms of services (birthing clinics, shops, schools, volleyball courts) is more established and better equipped that many other communities I have been before. But on the other hand everything is made of bamboo and is made with the idea that it is simply a temporary accommodation - if everyone walked away and the jungle grew over, in 10 years you most likely wouldn't know that there had been a settlement of 18,000 people living there(aside from the plastic garbage - but that will be another blog post).

As well, and as expected, the stories of the people will also take a long time to process ... family members killed, siblings left behind, 5 days of walking amongst the fighting of ethnic and Burmese armies to cross into Thailand, husband and wives separated in resettlement. The strength and resiliency demonstrated by so many people is inspiring and yet hard to comprehend.

I am sure I will have a lot more thoughts, ideas and considerations as the weeks go on. I have met the students I will be working with and look forward to helping out as much as I can.

I only took a few photos so far. A couple are of the peace day celebration that took place in the camp on September 21st for world peace day. The girls dancing are wearing the traditional outfits of the ethnic groups that are represented in the camp - Karenni, long neck Karenni, Karen and Shan. As well as a couple girls sporting new fashion. The other pics are just a couple of shots of houses in the camp.

All in all I am well and counting down the days until James arrives.
xo