BWA Sends Aid to Refugee Fire Victims The Baptist World Alliance®


Thailand (BWA) sent an initial sum of US$20,000 to assist


Karenni refugees whose homes were badly damaged or destroyed in a fire in a refugee camp in Thailand, killing 37 persons. The Karenni are a subgroup of the Karen people living mostly in Kayah State


(formerly Karenni State) of Myanmar. Many of the refugees fled conflict zones in Kayah and Karen states. The fire, which occurred on March 22 in the Ban Mae Surin camp in Mae Hong Son province of northern Thailand, was extinguished about two hours after it began. Approximately 200 people were wounded and hospitalized. At least 2,300 persons were left homeless. “Our prayers are with the people who have lost families and loved ones and we ask the Baptist family to continue to support them in their prayers,” said Baptist World Aid Director Rothangliani Chhangte. “Some children have been left orphaned and there is need for our continued prayers and support for the people.”


Blooming Night Zion of the Karen Women’s Organization (KWO) told the


BWA that among the facilities destroyed and damaged were a church, a clinic, a hospital, two schools, two food warehouses, KWO offices, and many houses. Mae Surin camp is one of 10 refugee camps on the Thai-Myanmar border, housing a total of about 130,000 refugees.


Left: Khu Ooreh, secretary of the Karenni Baptist Association at the scene of the refugee camp fire in March (Photo courtesy of sigmundson.wordpress.com)


Refugee School Destroyed by Fire Holds Graduation Ceremony


A graduation ceremony of the Kawthoolei Karen Baptist Bible School


and College (KKBBSC) in the Mae La Refugee Camp in Thailand, which was destroyed by fire one year ago, was held recently. The school was gutted on April 28, 2012, but was partially rebuilt in time for the start of the new school year in July. The Baptist World Alliance® (BWA) donated half the funds toward the rebuilding of the school. “The building is completed, the students also completed their school


and yesterday we celebrated the dedication of the building to God,” Saw Simon, founder and principal of the school, wrote on April 15. “I would like to say thank you very much to all of you [for] your visits, your letters, your email, your encouragement, your donations and your prayers.” KKBBSC offers general education to refugees and training to church leaders. Simon, the recipient of the 2000 BWA


(Continued on next page)


A graduation ceremony of the Kawthoolei Karen Baptist Bible School and College in the Mae La Refugee Camp in Thailand on April 14, 2013


Photos courtesy of Kawthoolei Karen Baptist Bible School and College


Thailand APRIL/JUNE 2013 27

Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32