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Left: Ph.D recipient Saw Wado (center, back row) along with faculty and other graduates during a graduation exercise at the Mae La refugee camp in Northern Thailand

Below left: Saw

Wado receiving his Ph.D diploma in the Mae La refugee camp in Northern Thailand and sharing the moment with family

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FIRST DOCTORATE IN THE JUNGLE Advanced Degree Awarded in Refugee Camp

aw Wado, a resident in the Mae La refugee camp in Northern Thailand, has earned a doctor of theology degree, the first to do so since the camp was created in the 1980s. Awarded by the Asia Baptist Graduate Theological Seminary (ABGTS),

Wado’s dissertation explores the nexus of the Theology of Hope as promulgated by German theologian Jürgen Moltmann, and the displacement and state of insecurity of the Karen people, who make up some 90 percent of the Mae La camp. ABGTS is a consortium of Christian theological schools in several Asian countries, including Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan. The Mae La camp grew out of conflicts between the government and military of Myanmar and the Karen. At roughly 50,000 residents, it is the largest of seven refugee camps for approximately 150,000 displaced persons along the Thai/Myanmar border. An estimated 50 percent of the refugees who live in these camps, most of them Karen, are Christian. The camps often suffer from overcrowding, disease and periodic attacks by the Myanmar army. Wado’s research aims to point a way forward and to stimulate discussions on the

importance of hope in the struggle for freedom and liberation, particularly among the Karen, to transform their social, political, educational, economical and spiritual situation. His findings suggest that Karen Christians and the church need to play a more direct and vital role in Karen life. “The Karen church remains relatively passive in terms of raising her voice against

injustices and human rights violations,” Wado said. “Not enough has been done in terms of peace building among the Karen factions let alone with the Myanmar government. The theology, preaching and action of the Karen church remain mediocre and mostly irrelevant.” The Kawthoolei Karen Baptist Bible School and College (KKBBSC) operates in the Mae La camp and has attracted students from other camps as well. KKBBSC, which offers general education to refugees and training to church leaders, now has an enrollment of more than 400 students.

THAILAND