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Karenni Social Development Center
Building a new society for Karenni
December 2016 Newsletter
“The vision of the Social Development Center is to promote the lives of the people who have suffered human rights abuses, to teach non-violent skills to build up a new society, to develop the rule of law, to value human dignity and to protect the environment”
This month at SDC
by Principal Myar Reh
December is always bittersweet here at SDC. On one hand it is filled with wonderful celebrations: ACMTC graduation, the start of Basic Course, holiday festivities for many different faiths, and hopefully a time of rest with loved ones. On the other hand it is a season of change, a goodbye to our dedicated volunteer teaching staff, and at times it is a bit tough for those of us without family close by.
We remember and celebrate the good with the bad as we begin to look forward to a new year of reaching and striving for meaningful change in our community, and our own lives. 
Before we move ahead to 2017, let's take a look back at what has happened at SDC at the end of 2016.
Our 7th Advanced Community Management Training Course Graduation was held on December 10th, 2016. It was a day to celebrate the outstanding achievements of these 20 talented and promising students. All of us here at KSDC look forward to not only hearing of these students future roles in the community, but also partnering with them on bringing concepts from study into action.
Our 2016 Basic Course Students
Our Basic Course students look on at the ACMTC 2016 Graduation. This current Basic Course began at the end of November, and will continue until their own graduation at the end of March, 2017. 
Our 2016/17 Basic Course students take time between learning to practice a Traditional Karenni Dance performance for the 7th Advanced Community Management Training Course Graduation.
Many of our traditional Karenni and Burmese dishes start with ingredients from our very own garden, lovingly planted by our 2016 Advanced Course students.
Look closely and you can spy our computer teacher Neh Reh hard at work on his... computer, of course.
Mornings and evenings are stunning just outside our walls.
 
All around SDC
Just one of our little bridges crossing the streams, rivers, and canals on the way to SDC. Meander through the rice fields and farms, to join in the fun and learning.
The balcony, a chill-out, multipurpose space; used for eating, catching some sun, checking out our view of the fields and mountains, dance practice, or like these students, just relaxing.
The green room. An office, and computer room, all in one. Where all the best ideas begin.

SDC / WSP Funny Sports Exchange
Students from the Karenni Social Development Center and the Women's Study Program got a chance to compete in some very funny competitions. Top: Highly interested fans look on at the high jump competition; Bottom left and right: Students square off in a pillow jousting competition.
Photos of activities during December 2016
Top left: Jane from Refugees International Japan, one of our wonderful core founders, shares about the programs and future vision of RIJ; Top right: Teachers meeting families of ACTMC graduates; Bottom left: Surprise visit from some recent graduates; Bottom right: Our departing volunteer teachers at ACTMC Graduation.
About SDC

SDC is located in Karenni Refugee Camp 1 on the Thai-Myanmar border. It was founded in 2002 by three alumni of EarthRights School Burma (ERSB), who wanted to provide young people with the opportunity to learn about Law, Democracy and the Environment.

Since its formation, SDC has produced over 300 human rights and environmental activists. Coordinator and co-founder Aung Sun Myint continues to work with our team to realize the vision he set out with his fellow ERSB alumni in 2002.
Help us achieve our goals
 
To achieve the goals and the promise we made in our mission statement we rely on many avenues of support. Core organizational and project funding comes from our main donors. We are also supported by our community, local staff and volunteers from around the world.

All of us here at SDC would like to thank our core funders:

The American Jewish World Service
The Open Society Institute
Refugees International Japan

We would also like to thank our partners:

EarthRights International
The Curriculum Project
Mote Oo Education

We still need support to continue doing the work we do. If you are able to support us financially or with advice or expertise please contact us using the links below.

 
Copyright © 2016 KARENNI SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER, All rights reserved.
 






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Karenni Social Development Center · PO Box 20 · Mae Hong Son, Mae Hong Son 58000 · Thailand

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