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Grandmother Oo Meh has passed away

Dear all,

A Karenni Grandmother named Oo Meh (born on 1937) lived here in Amarillo passed away yesterday morning 7-7-2012 at around 9 am. She was born in a village called Daw Hso Kyar and came to the refugee camp 1 in 1996. She came to Amarillo, TX in August 2009 with her son, daughter in-law and 5 grand children. She has always been living with this family for most of her live. She has not been sick lately, but she had not been able to eat well for awhile as she did not taste or had no appetite to foods. it's sad to loose a loved one, but we don't make the choice when the day had come. I will be working closely with the family for funeral arrangement and will let you know soon when the burial is going to be. Again, thank you all for all your unity and supports in the time of hardship. Let's keep working together for our Karenni people.

May God Bless you all

In solidarity
Mr. Lu Kayahphu

Deceases in 2012

Karenni that passed away in 2012

1. Ma Rea (Dallas) 2/15/2012
2. Ti Meh (Fort Worth) 4/6/2012
3. Naw Hla Hay (Amarillo) 5/17/12
4. Oo Meh (Amarillo) 7/7/12

First Draft of Audit

Membership fees for 1^st Conference
Houston	1580
Austin	320
Dallas	540
Fort Worth	210
San Antonio	1060
Amarillo	1020
Nacogdoches	?
Total	5210

Expenditures for the celebration
Shelter	1570
Food	928
Supply	560
Guest speaker’s trip	250
Leftover balance	1902

Brief History of Karenni Community of Texas

Karenni people fled the civil war in Burma. They all hoped to find a better place elsewhere after being in refugee camps for so long and not being able to return home. Therefore, for a better future, many of us chose to resettle in the United States and other third countries. However, arrival in the land of opportunity called United States does not always guarantee peace, stability, and security, at least for the moment.

Lu Kayahphu, current President of KnCT

Competing against 15 candidates, he was elected President on June 16th, 2012, with the majority of votes. He said he is happy to serve the community, and he will be looking forward to forming a stronger and better working team.

Newly Elected KnYT Leaders

Hsu Mar (Treasury), Gabriela Noe (Vice Secretary), Elizabeth Sari (Secretary),
Htay Myar (Vice Chairman), and Say Reh (Chairman)

Address and Contact for our First KnCT Conference

June 16th, 2012 (Saturday)

Houston's "New" World Refugee Day

June 16th is set as Houston World Refugee Day.

“The city of Houston is pleased to welcome all refugees from around the world, who we trust will find a greater opportunity in Houston than they could anywhere else, and I’m proud as the mayor of Houston to welcome them home,” Parker said in a news conference in City Hall’s third-floor proclamation room,” where she declared June 16 World Refugee Day in the city.

http://blog.chron.com/houstonpolitics/2012/06/houston-highlights-national-refugee-week/

Agendas for Karenni Community of Texas Conference 2012

Part A (830am to 11am)

1. Singing of American and Karenni National anthems
2. KnCT Vice-President Bure Samuel’s opening remark
3. Multi-ethnic dance by Houston youths
4. Story of KnCT by Shar Reh
5. Unity song by Dallas youths
6. The ever-changing social and economic challenge of the century by Neineh Plo
7. Modern Karenni Dance by Amarillo boys and girls
8. Youths and educations by Fr. Paul Tinreh
9. A group dance by Fort Worth youths
10. Personal experience by KnCT President Lu Kayahphu
11. A dance by San Antonio youths
12. Funeral contribution presentation by Oo Reh Sor

Part B (11am to 12pm)

Election board committee will take over from 11 to 12pm.
(Election committee officer Andrew Max)

Part C (1pm to 3pm)

1. Announcement of KnCT’s new officers
2. Discussing current and future challenges
3. Laying out actionable future goals
4. Officiating KnCT’s statement release
5. Taking pictures and interviews

1. Youths Conference to be started at 1pm
2. Laying out youths-related action plans
3. Re-election of our KnCT youth officers

Part D (4pm to 8pm)

Singing and dancing sessions
Agendas will be posted soon
There will be at least 18 agendas here

Funeral Contribution Report for 2011, 2012 -

funeral contribution report 2011

funeral contribution report 2012 -

Karenni Dialects

The biggest problem Karenni people are facing today is the language barrier. The inability to convey the message to other party delays so many important matters that need to be done in a timely manner.

Following are the heading interpreting companies that have already found Karenni interpreters nationwide, and have contracted them either full time or part time. Their expertise ranges from many topics you cannot imagine. So many.

They are in desperate need of on-site or telephonic interpreters. Good luck!

Please contact them if needs be.

http://www.affordablelanguageservices.com/

http://www.cyracom.com/

http://www.certifiedlanguages.com/

http://www.telelanguage.com/

http://www.languageassociates.net/

http://www.pacificinterpreters.com/

Recommendation - Dance is to be practiced on weekend

Dance is and has always been one of our Karenni unique identities. And, we love to maintain them. As part of our goals of promoting cultural values in the community, youths across the state are encouraged to prep dance lessons. Even though classes are not scheduled in stones, there is a number of enthusiastic youths taking initiatives in the teaching and practicing of various dances.

Once in a while, we are unexpectedly invited to celebration held by non-affiliated organizations. With that in mind, KnCT is working closely with the youth leaders.

KnCT mission statement

In order to help each other and live in solidarity in the pursuit of happiness, we, Karenni people, held a state-wide conference on January 1st 2011, resulting in the building of a community group, called Karenni Community of Texas. We firmly believe that KnCT plays a major role in the community in bringing people together, preserving Karenni identities, and helping each other in several ways among Karenni families in Houston and also in Karenni state. Therefore, there are two main objectives: One, helping Karenni families living in Texas and in Karenni state and two, preserving, promoting and building Karenni identities.

Project A - Funeral arrangement

Respective household is required to pay $100.00 on the designated due date. Registration will be kept and reported to all Karenni people. In the event that a member in the participating household passed away, KnCT will then step in to fund $4000.00 for a smoother funeral service. The project A, which is the funeral arrangement, is to provide fund only. Usage of fund will solely depend on the family member involved even though the original goal of establishing “Project A” is to fund funeral service.

Generally speaking, the project A acts as a life insurance policy. However, to Karenni people, it is more than just a policy. It is where we show our cares, our genuine interests, and our sincere hearts to helping one another among the Karenni communities across Texas. And, we, acting committee members, with approval from our current President, very much believe that $100 is affordable. We know that anyone could have bought life insurance anywhere else but they, instead, show solidarity by uniting in the cause with the objectives of KnCT.

Paying the $100.00 means that “in the event that you pass away, the $4000.00 will be taken from the KnCT’s bank account and be used for your smooth transition.” The reason why we collect $100.00, instead of any lesser amount, is that the committee members are allocating funds for at least 5 cases (deaths). For instance, if Texas, for some mysterious reasons, experiences at least 5 misfortunes in a year, then the collection of fund will be required to restart as soon as possible to stay prepared. Same token applies. If there is no case in, let say, 3 years, then the $100.00 will remain effective, and it still protects the very Karenni people in Texas. Let's tell each other to stay healthy, by not drinking and driving for example.

However, some have avoided participation. They acknowledge that non-participatory behavior will result in disqualification of the benefit entitlement of $4000.00. To be evident, non-involvement does not mean “one is no longer a karenni.” It is just to help facilitate the needed services in the event that someone passes away. KnCT volunteers will be of help as usual.

So far, the project A has worked well. It has helped at least 6 cases.

_____________
Note: Further correction needed

KnCT Bylaws

Preamble

Karenni Community of Texas is a Karenni community-based organization. The two main goals of KnCT are: One, helping Karenni people living in texas areas and in Karenni state; And two, preserving, promoting and building Karenni identities. Based on the main objectives, KnCT will work in solidarity.

National Anthem

(thanks to Bother Aye).

invitation letter sample

April 3, 2011

Dear_________________________

On behalf of the more than 600 Karenni peoples in Houston, I would like to invite you and your colleagues to our annual cultural celebration called "Kae Htoe Boe." It is time, once again, to preserve, promote and celebrate our cultural uniqueness.

First draft proposal for KnCH and KnCT

There are 426 Karenni refugees living in Houston (at least 106 households), according to our latest census. The most challenging issues, for them, are language barrier, transportation, and a need of a community center where they can come together and share peaceful social communication and so forth. According to the board directors of the Karenni community of Houston and volunteers, the three main problems are closely interconnected. The people will be much more productive and contributing to the communities where they live in when they have a group of people working for them effectively and directly in facilitating the three major problems.

There are 5 refugee agencies in Houston such as Catholic Charities, Interfaith Ministries, Alliance, RST and YMCA. These are the five main agencies that are helping all Karenni refugees. All of those agencies have limitation of support. During the first six months, the agencies do everything they can in their power to help. However, for most people staying in Houston more than six months, agencies have less-responsibility-to-no-more responsibility type of relationship as they are having so many more refugees coming their ways to take care of. To be cleared, we are not finger-pointing anyone. What we basically mean is that while the people are still in the process of transitioning into a new cultural community, the help stops suddenly, making most people, who are not ready, live in a desperate measure to survive. Even though the agencies say they are still helping those living longer than six months, the supports are not as effective, timely, and informative as before.

We do understand that Lincoln once said we cannot satisfy all people all the time but we can only satisfy some people all the time or all people sometime. We endlessly thank the US governments, non-profit refugee agencies, and all other unmentioned organizations that have been so working for the unfortunates around the world. We do not take it for granted.

A little history on the Burmese immigrants: Karenni is one the seven states in Burma. It is also the name of its indigenous people. Karen, Karenni, Chin, Mon, Rakhain, Shan and Kachin are the seven states that make up a country called Burma. Six decades ago, Burma was naturally one the richest countries in Asia. Due to lack of political genius, however, the country is politically devastating, economically poor, and socially creating an unprecedented influx of political refugees across the continents.

One of the most challenging problems, right after being left alone by the agencies, is language barrier. Even though classes like English as Second Language are available, there is no way they can learn so fast in speaking, understanding and communicating. They cannot read important mails, reapply government assistances, understand prescriptions, describe medical conditions, have a look at kids’ school reports, find jobs (most important), and ask for needed helps.

Can’t read mails regarding their upcoming appointments had, so many times, delayed their recertification process for assistances. Some families are still unemployed but they already have run out of food stamp for months despite the fact that they are still very well qualified for reapply. Even though they can ask for emergency food assistance, they again do not know how to ask for it in English. Neighbors who speak English a little bit could sometime provide helps. But if those neighbors are working forty hours a week, it is very rare that they can help those in needs during government office hours. This incident is just one problem as a result of language difficulties.

They occasionally get sick in a new environment. And some small clinics are not contracting with any language interpreting company. In fact, some companies do not even have contracted Karenni interpreters available when needed. Patients occasionally got sent back just because there is no one available for communication between the patients and doctors. Things like this happen all the time. Patients with booked appointments have to postpone to another day. Case workers from agencies have to work extra hours. I have a brother, who is a case worker for Catholic Charities Refugee Agency. His off-days are just like his normal business hours (he normally has people in his house). People visit him for translation, for one instance. It does not matter day or night, and his cell phone rings from time to time. It seems as though everyone wish case workers had thirty hours a day, so that a couple hours can be allocated to make sure patients are taken care of and messages are clearly conveyed between the two parties involved.

I, Shar Reh, came to US on July 5th, 2006 with my whole family. I thank God for allowing us to be the first Karenni family to resettle in Houston, a place where hundreds of Karenni family just like us came to live. Also thanks are owed to my former volunteered foreigners-teachers who had come all the way from another countries to refugee camps to teach me, including many friends, English and basic grammars. We are also grateful to be able to help newly arrived families by occasionally visiting them, providing rides to grocery stores, sometime sending them to hospitals, translating medical conditions, and comforting them (as we are sure they have homesickness). However, we can only help so much when we are not working at our respective jobs. I wish I could just help them without worrying about my own bills. However, the world, as we all know it, is not a magic light. We have to work for it. I have two younger brothers, working with two different refugee agencies. One is with Catholic Charities (I mentioned it earlier), and the other with Interfaith Ministries. They are not only serving the two agencies’ clients but they are also helping Karenni people coming from other agencies. Because, we know they can barely ask, understand, and hardly learn from the hardworking but non-Karenni-speaking case workers. Just like we had bad experiences when we first arrived in Houston, we felt pitiful for some families as well. Back to my transition story, we did have several helps. We had a good, very good, Vietnamese case worker from Catholic Charities. Back then, we spoke a little English but still we missed friends so much, we wanted to go back so much, and for some reasons, we did not go out of apartment for months. We were all self-withdrawn, not wanting to talk to each other for many times. The only time we could feel a little relief was when we had a couple Burmese visitors who speak the same language as us. They showed us locations of close-by groceries, clinics, and transportations. We were so happy, knowing there are someone out there who are willing to offer helps. We learnt from them, a lot. The same way, I, with my family members, want the families to feel the way same like we once felt. We find happiness in helping people. We are reaching out to them. Again, we can only do it when we are available. Sometime our available days are on weekends, and the government offices or clinics are closed. What I am trying to say is that if we have someone, fairly salaried and given goals to complete, much more effective and needed helps will be accomplished for the refugee people. I strongly believe we need to build a strong foundation first, so that we can help them to help themselves (a foundation that is based on human needs to prosper as ones.

Most importantly, jobs are scarce nowadays. Even the least paid dirty jobs are hardly available. There are still some who never have a job after living in Houston for more than a year. It is imaginable that non-English speakers will face a whole lot more challenge to get a job. Karenni unemployment rate is high. Thirty percents of workable ages are unemployed. These active-job-searching people know themselves that they are having weaknesses. They promised to me, a volunteer, that any job given to them will mean so much, and that they will stick to it for so long. Unemployment in the family creates domestic quarrels. A wife, who had always been homemaker back in the refugee camps, is disappointed at the husband’s inability to take care of the family’s current financial hardship. Part of it is that they are not fully aware or prepared for a brand new culture and survival fight. Husband, on the other hand, is facing a challenge he never faces before in his lifetime or still in the process of learning a new way of life, making him feels uncompetitive anymore and less confident in his ability. Some families need to be reminded with lessons about new culture, new situation, and new language, and new challenge, etc by our KnCH members. Indeed, two families had been evicted recently because they had been unable to make monthly rent payments. It was a complicated story. Agencies had tried several methods and had reached their utmost highest support. Neighbors had to provide the families temporary residences. Several fathers of the never-have-a-job families went to other states to get jobs. In fact, more than twenty old men were provided transportation by the KnCH to get to North Carolina while family members stay here in Houston. Some went to Georgia, and some in Colorado. A separation we, as Karenni individuals coming from a strong family bondage, never want to see.

Transportation is believed to be the second biggest problem. There are some places of interest such as hospitals, clinics, and government offices locating far from public transportation. Important appointments are postponed or canceled just because there is no way for patients to get there. Some jobs are given up because there is no proper transportation. We all use transportation system to get most of our tasks done. Some corners of Houston are not available for public transportation. Some workers get up in the morning at 3AM to catch 8AM shift.

To help each other and live in solidarity in the pursuit of happiness, we, Karenni people, recently have started a local not-for-profit community group, namely Karenni Community of Houston. We firmly believe that KnCH plays a major role in the community in bringing people together, preserving Karenni identity and supporting peaceful struggle for peace in not only Houston but also in Karenni state. There are three main goals set forth by KncH advisory board and members. These are: one, helping Karenni people living in Houstonian areas; two, preserving, promoting and building Karenni identity; and three, supporting non-violence struggle for peace in Karenni state.

As of now, we have temporary KnCH office (my apartment). Volunteers are assigned to accomplish certain goals and projects. Several projects are in place such as opening office hours on Sunday from 7 am to 11:30 am to help people with Medicaid, Food stamp, and Gold card applications, teaching Karenni literature on Saturday morning from 9 am to 11 am to kids aging from 6 to 10 years old, and having traditional dance training on Sunday from 5 pm to 6 pm to anyone who love to dance. Those are some activities completely related to our missions. However, all missions cannot be accomplished in the projected timeframe as we are just volunteers. More projects are discussed on a monthly basis to meet our missions. All parents like the ideas of KnCH. They all want to be a part of KnCH history. In order to help effectively, we need a community center, a place where we can gather and manage projects. An office space, administrative supplies, compensated full time employees and vehicles are the entire mandatory components for our organization to work for the people, by the people, and with the people. So far, we do not have any community center. We believe we will have one (just a matter of time) if we do the things people need and benefit the most. A nice place where we all can come together, celebrate several important days, and share the beauty of our differences is essential to our organization that needs stability, visibility and teamwork. It will give us rooms to manage several projects. When things are in place, we will invite other ethnic minorities to join us, making our organization stronger and more beneficial for all Burmese people. Another big issue is hiring full time employees. That type of employment will be the one that contributes effectively to our goal accomplishments. We have skilled multi-language-speaking people in place willing to work full time for community services. They have actually been contributing a lot to the Karenni community however they can only do so in their spare time. All we need is to fund those right people. With the transportations available (funded by this proposal), the employees will be happily doing the jobs assigned for the people having a hard time getting by, from day to day. Karenni people will not be late on their food stamp applications again, they will not miss their medically important hospital appointments again, and they will not have to pay ten dollars a day to get to jobs in a very already-crowded van.

Our main projects in place are for those staying in Houston more than 6 months and above but not for those, if possible, making more than the standardized poverty measurement set by the Texas Human and Health Services Commission. Any newly arrived members, less than 6 months in Houston, are considered to be in the hands of refugee agencies. We will also take care of those coming from other cities and states to build a larger Karenni community right here in Houston, a metropolitan place where we can get and find almost anything in the corners. If all projects are implemented as planned, there will be a place where we all can run to whenever an issue arises, there will be a office where all of us can discuss issues that directly matter to us and after all, as a result of all this positive things, we will be prospering and contributing more to the community we live in. We are building a future of hope, prosperity and peace in our Karenni community of Houston.

Test Professor

Funeral Program Presentation