Workers in New Zealand helping workers overseas
UnionAID PROJECT UPDATE 1 March 2011
Join the 2012 five-day study tour to the Thai/Burma border 23 - 28 January 2012 from Chiang Mai to Mae Sot with tour leader Ross Wilson
Steps to the Maela refugee camp school on the border with Burma
n Speak to Burmese unionists, activists and academics and get a variety of perspectives on the Burmese fight for democracy, n Visit the FTUB-UnionAID partnership project and the FTUB school, n Visit local NGOs working on the Thai-Burma border. Preliminary cost estimate is $700, including all accommodation, transport and evening meals. You will need to make your own travel arrangements to Chaing Mai and from Mae Sot. We have places for 10 people with priority for Solidarity members. For further information contact wilsonross@xtra.co.nz
Occupational Training Centre growing daily thanks to you
B
uildings are springing up like mushrooms around the first classroom in the Occupational Training Centre complex. An office, another classroom and accommodation blocks for trainees and staff were nearly complete when Ross Wilson visited in March (more photos on unionaid.org.nz). Never one to miss an opportunity, project manager Min Lwin has encouraged young men around the FTUB school to pick up useful skills on the building site as they learn to weld, paint, Continued over the page
200 people see film in Palmerston North
Two hundred people turned up to watch the screening of Breaking the Silence in Palmerston North on Race Relations Day (March 21). They also heard a moving presentation about Burma from Isabella Htua and singing from the local Burmese community. UnionAID’s John Shennan encouraged people to sign up to regular payments.
Volunteer science teacher A Volunteer science teacher is wanted by the Federation of Trade Unions Burma (FTUB) school in Mae Sot on the Thai/Burma border
from October 2011 - March 2012.
You will be required to teach science and geography in a hands-on, practical fashion with Burmese students from 13-16 years. The focus of the work is on environmental issues, demonstrating such practical skills as composting, irrigation, and more. It would be a bonus if you are also keen to engage the students in sporting activities. Accommodation and cooking facilities are provided on site For further information contact Ross Wilson:
wilsonross@xtra.co.nz
make concrete and do carpentry under the guidance of a volunteer engineer from France. Already the first three intakes of trainees have completed their 2 week industrial sewing course. This means a total of 27 young migrant women from different ethnic groups in Burma have new skills and 26 have found jobs in the factories on the border. One has chosen to work from home, setting up her own business.