Forced to Flee, a book by Erika Berg. Beautiful and haunting illustrations and words by the refugee youths of Burma. Please share this post to spread awareness and to help the refugees. Erika has worked hard for a number of years to facilitate workshops for the refugee children of Burma to express and tell their stories through works of art. The Power of a Childs Voice What makes the “voices” in Forced to Flee so powerful? The youth painted their stories. Representing Burmas diverse ethnic and religious groups, the youth “speak” in the universally understood language of narrative art. Drawn into their inner worlds, we gain a child’s eye-view of what it’s like to be forced to flee one’s homeland and live in exile, haunted – and empowered – by traumas of the past. Initially, youth who participated in visual storytelling workshops that I facilitated along the borders of Burma wondered why anyone would care about their stories. However the more they reflected on the extraordinary challenges they had overcome, the more their confidence grew. By the end of each workshop the youth believed that national reconciliation and genuine peace in Burma would depend upon a shared understanding of the past, however painful, and that the voices of refugees and others who had been treated unjustly deserved and needed to be heard. “Forced to Flee manages to interweave the rich tapestry of Burma’s ethnic and religious diversity together with the story of Burma’s struggle for democracy and human rights through words and pictures that tell human stories of fear, pain, tragedy as well as inspirational courage and hope.” – Benedict Rogers, author of Burma: A Nation at the Crossroads “I was moved to tears by this beautiful and profound book! It is a must-read for those working in the field of migration or mental health. With first-person insights and experiences, it reminds us of what is lost and what remains for those forced to flee.” – Beth Farmer, Director, Northwest Health and Human Rights “Forced to Flee was inspired by the stories of youth who have fled persecution in different corners of Myanmar. By documenting their struggles and aspirations with art materials, these brave survivors of injustice challenge Myanmar’s leadership to end impunity and promote human rights, including in remote ethnic areas.” – Wai Wai Nu, Director, Women Peace Network Arakan “What a thoughtful, comprehensive and sensitive book! Forced to Flee is powerful testimonial, at once historical and deeply personal. Never before have I seen such an intense and credible portrait of the journey of refugees from Burma. This is a magnificent work, larger than Burma’s democracy movement and the inter-ethnic conflict. Its message is universal.” – May Ng, poet “In Forced to Flee, refugee youths’ real-life stories illustrate complex issues related to ethnic conflicts, religious tension and political persecution in Burma. The book doesn’t just describe the issues; it promotes the voice of refugees who have lived in exile for decades while remaining committed to bringing freedom and peace to their displaced communities.” – Hayso Thako, Principal, Shalom Arts and Leadership College, Mae La (refugee camp) “The never-before-seen ‘visual stories’ in Forced to Flee remind us of the brutality and, at the same time, the tenderness of humankind. This colorful collection of refugee voices and visions offers readers rare glimpses into what it feels like to be forced to flee one’s native land and live on the very margins of the global society.” – Margot Pires, Director, Austria Burma Center “Forced to Flee reflects the real Shan people’s life in Shan State and along the Thai-Burma border. I think people who live in cities throughout Shan State should read this book. Then they would understand that in the more remote rural areas of Shan State people continue to suffer from human rights abuses and can only dream of peace.” - Larn Tai, Shan Youth Power “This book is a testament to the indomitable spirit o fthose who have been forced to flee injustice in Burma, and to the transformative power of art… By highlighting the stories of those who – despite democratic reforms – continue to struggle and suffer in the shadows, the book promises to mobilize greater support for human rights throughout Burma.”– Tun Khin, President, Burmese Rohingya Organization UK https://kickstarter/…/forced-to-flee-visual-stories… https://kickstarter/…/forced-to-flee-visual-stories…
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 09:19:06 +0000
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