By Pam Rogers | Capacity Advisor/Addiction Trainer
Sweet December. For the Karen people this is the happiest time of year. The weather is cooling off. School break has come. The rice is harvested. Karen New Year is coming. Time for family, fun and enjoyment.
Here at DARE Network, our staff return to their families for two weeks. A well deserved, enforced holiday. If we didn't declare it they would just work and work for their people.
We have just finished our 6 month Training of Trainers in Mae La Camp to build up our capacity. Resettlement always takes a toll on our work as the brightest always seek better opportunities. Train. Train. Train. This is what we do.
This year we were also testing our new Training Manual. This document is the culmination of over 12 years of work. It is used by our Addiction Workers to train others and carry out their addiction work in the community. The Training Manual (still need a title for it) is in Karen and Burmese languages. Now we just need to get it ready for publication and film some of the modules for an added DVD.
All this is preparation for returning to Karen State in Burma. A ceasefire is still in place, although the peace talks are slow and the land remains lawless, it is becoming possible to go inside with our work. First steps. Just looking out for the landmines and rogue Burmese soldiers.
Attached are some photos for our new Addiction Workers taking their exam at the end of their training.
If you would like to help out with our steps back into Burma, GlobalGiving has its year end challenge on right now until December 31st. We could be eligible for Bonus Funds from GlobalGiving if you help out in this time period. This year many resettled refugees in Canada and the USA will be giving what they can. Hope you will join them.
Please have a look here: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/the-amazing-project-stepping-back-to-burma/
For those of you who have given already, continue to give and will give in the future, we want you to know your money is well used with no International overheads. All the money you donate goes directly to the beneficiaries and the work we do for them.
Wishing you all a very Happy Holiday with your Friends and Families. Be safe.
From all of us at DARE Network
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