In the heart of a Burmese village, a young girl carries her infant brother on her back. She stands before her mother's humble teak house, watching her friends in their crisp white and green uniforms as they make their way to school. The sight fills her with an overwhelming sadness, for she knows she cannot join them on this journey of knowledge.

I still vividly recall the bunker, where I once sought refuge from the relentless onslaught of the Burmese military. The echoes of gunshots still reverberate in my ears, a chilling reminder of that fateful day when my home became a battleground. I can still hear my mother's desperate cries, her fear of losing her children, her anguish etched forever in my memory. The girl who had her rights stripped away, who hid in that bunker to escape death, that girl is me.

My name is Drucie Bathin, and this is my story. Over 25 years ago, I made the journey to the United States in search of a better life. I embarked on my educational journey, and against all odds, I proudly earned my bachelor's degree. I became the first in my family to attain higher education, a beacon of hope for the generations that follow.

In October 2023, I returned to Kawthoolei, my war-torn homeland. Along the border of Thailand and Burma, I visited schools where dreams flickered amidst adversity. I met internally displaced students in the Karen state and teenagers in refugee camps along the Thai-Burmese border. They were striving for education in the middle of a war zone, and I saw a reflection of my own past in their eyes.

These students have a fundamental right to education. They are the architects of our future—a future that holds governors, police officers, social workers, doctors, teachers, and even presidents. Their potential knows no bounds, but they face obstacles that seem insurmountable.

We urgently need your support to help our small rural schools, where our students are not just hungry for knowledge, but simply hungry. While we strive to provide quality education, a food shortage crisis has taken precedence, making it difficult for our students to concentrate, learn, and grow. Your generous donations will not only ensure that our students have the basic sustenance they need but also contribute to securing essential school supplies.

Together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of these children, giving them the nourishment, they require and the educational tools they deserve to build a brighter future. Your contribution can mean the world to the small, close-knit Karen community. Please help us bridge the gap and support our students' growth, both physically and academically. Thank you for making a positive impact on these young minds.

Friends of the Karen People of Burma Inc Is tax exempt organization. We will send you a receipt after you donate to us. Our emergency right now is foods. Can you give the gift of foods on Xmas day please?

Thanks.

Drucie Bathin

Chairperson.

[email redacted]

Friends of the Karen People of Burma Inc

Note: You can write a check to

Friends of the Karen People of Burma Inc

3656 S Halifax Way, Aurora, CO 80013

For more information about this fundraising please contact me at

[email redacted]

1. Shalom School of Art and College. 18 teachers, 332 students

2. IDP Middle school. 22 teachers 250 students

3. IDP Primary school 5 teachers 65 students.