"Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good."
Romans 12:21
|
"Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good." Romans 12:21 |
|
|
 | ||
| Behind the smile of every displaced person is the memory of their loss of livelihood, community, loved ones, and safety. | |
The Shan are the largest ethnic minority group of those that reside in Burma. There are an estimated 6 million Shan people. Ninety-nine percent of the Shan identify themselves as Theravada Buddhists, with less than one percent who are Christians. Although the Shan live on the Burmese side of the Thai-Burma border, they are actually of Thai, Laos, and Chinese origin, not Burman.
They are a people who are traditionally rice cultivators, shopkeepers, and artisans, with agriculture being their primary economic source. Unfortunately, under the Burmese military dictatorship, Shan State has become one of the leading producers of opium, which has replaced much of their food production In spite of all this, the Shan have been denied official recognition as refugees, and thus are denied help by the international community, and many of the NGO's. Unlike the Karen, there exist no official refugee camps along the Thai-Shan border. Since they are not recognised as asylum seekers, and are not provided safe refuge and humanitarian assistance, they are forced to either live in hiding as illegal persons on the Thai-Burma border or seek work as migrant workers in low-paid, low-skilled, and often times unsafe jobs.
They live in constant fear of being arrested and deported to Burma, where they face ongoing persecution in the forms of torture, rape and death on their return. They desperately need safe refuge and humanitarian assistance, including basic health care and educational support.
Ironically, the name Shan comes from Thailand's former name, Siam, which means "free". However, the Shan people are far from the meaning of their name. They are a people who are rejected, hated, and oppressed by Burma--disliked by their Thailand neighbours--caught in a web of civil war, drugs, poverty and oppression--and noted to be the 9th largest un-reached people group in the world.
Please read about our programs with the Shan people and other displaced populations inside Burma.
Our prayer is that Partners will be a part of bringing them help and hope in Christ. We pray that Jesus will pour out His love on the Shan people, and that they will find a freedom that nobody else can give them. For "if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:36)
Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization
The information and views expressed on external sites are not necessarily those of Partners.
 |
| Photo Courtesy FBR This 15 year-old Shan girl's legs are peppered with large pieces of shrapnel from a land mine. The pieces of metal left in her leg made walking nearly impossible. A Christian relief team found her and took her to a clinic where her injuries were repaired. |