Canberra Baptist Church, Australia: Topical Issues

CHRISTMAS OFFERING 2002: Bringing Hope to Exiles
The Karen Liberal Arts Program Mae La Refugee Camp, Thailand

Our Christmas offering this year will be used to continue funding a Liberal Arts course for Karen refugees living in the Mae La camp along the Thai-Burma border. This is the third year of a three-year commitment we have made to this project.

What started tentatively in June 1999 has grown into a strong program and is having a real impact on those participating. At present the program has 16 students and is taught around five major themes (Economics, Political Science, Education, English and History). Their ages range from about 20 to 49. They have practically no resources, but their intelligence is so lively it almost transcends all handicaps.

Classroom and Library

The Liberal Arts program is part of a larger educational project in which over 7,000 children are educated from Year 1 - 12 and over 200 students are part of the Karen Bible School. Thorwald and Jill taught for two weeks last February. Mark and Twilla have been teaching there during November/December. This program gives the young people in exile a chance. Rev. Simon really sees it as a key to the future. These are the leaders of the next generation and need to know how to engage with the world.

Naga teacher leading a discussion group
Naga teacher leading a
discussion group

The project is a partnership of Baptists in Australia and Nagaland putting our resources together to give hope to our young Karen brothers and sisters, most of whom are Baptists. It is a worthy mission project for our church. Last year our Christmas offering raised $10,500 and we would hope for another generous response this year. Our funds will be channelled through Baptist World Aid Australia.

Essays from the Mae La Refugee Camp