Learn about what is going on in Burma and what you can do to help improve the situation there and among Burmese refugees here in Austin

1. Connecting the Disconnected: Use Your
Sweet Social Media Skillz to Help the
Oppressed Burmese People

2. All of these people live right here in Austin. They came
here after running through the Burmese jungle into
Thailand, where they stayed at a refugee camp. They
were assigned to live here in Austin and came here with
no possessions whatsoever.

3. *Note: There are no adults in these photos
because showing their faces publicly could
endanger both their lives and the lives of
their families.

4. Today, you will find out:
• What is going on in Burma
• What is about to happen there
• Steps you can take to help the people who
will be able help them

5. Who are these people?
• men, women and children
• Christians, Muslims and Buddhists

6. Here is what they had to face

7. This is how the government
silenced their voices

8. In May 2008, Burma will vote on a new
constitution. Here are the people who
cannot vote on this issue:
• political prisoners currently in jail
• 400,000 monks currently living in Burma
• Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung Sang Suu
Kyi

9. In 2010, Burma will
elect a new parliament.
2/3 of the vote will come from the
people. 1/3 will come from the military.
Remember though, political dissidents cannot
vote.

10. What help can we provide to Burmese dissidents
living here in Austin?
• offering jobs that provide a
sustainable living wage
• shoes, including athletic and
sturdy work shoes
• diapers
• rice cookers
• non-perishable food
• computers and calculators

11. So how can we use social media
to help?
• Get on Elaine’s mailing list for updates on
refugees here by emailing
borntohelp@earthlink.net
• Sign the petition to end atrocities in Burma
at the Democracy for Burma website and
encourage others to do the same.

12. pictures courtesy of Jerry
Hughes
www.artiststudio12.com