Help Us Build Karen Wikipedia

The Karen people have a rich history, language, and culture. But today, our language is at risk. For decades, teaching Karen was banned in schools. Now, younger generations have fewer opportunities to learn and use it. Language is more than communication—it is our identity, our heritage, and our future.

We want to change this by creating Karen Wikipedia. Our first step is to develop Wikipedia in Sgaw Karen, and then expand into Eastern Pwo and Western Pwo. This will ensure that all three major Karen languages have their own space online—preserving knowledge and connecting future generations to their roots.

In Karen, theological materials and books are available, but it is not enough for children to learn their heritage language. Children need many different kinds of books that will help and support them to develop reading, writing, and comprehension skills, including knowledge and education. In this way, children will love to learn their heritage and sustain the language. Sustaining languages helps us to learn about human beings and our past. Let us support each other by sustaining languages for the sake of humanity.

Our Plan

• Phase 1 (Sgaw Karen): Write and translate 1,000 quality Wikipedia articles within 8 months.

• Phase 2 (Eastern Pwo): Expand the same work to Eastern Pwo.

• Phase 3 (Western Pwo): Build Wikipedia in Western Pwo.

• Future Steps: Develop more reference books, children’s stories, novels, and poetry in Karen.

Why We Need Support

The Karen Dictionary Group is leading this effort with a strong plan and a dedicated team of 10 Karen language specialists. Each member will create about 12–13 articles per month, but to succeed, we need your help to fund their work:

• Writers’ honorarium: $80 per person per month

• Total for 10 members, 8 months: $6,400

Your support will turn this plan into action. Without it, our work may continue only voluntarily—slower and uncertain.

Funding Goals

• $3,000 (minimum): Start Sgaw Karen Wikipedia with limited support

• $6,000 (full support for Sgaw): Fully fund Sgaw Karen Wikipedia.

• $12,000: Build two Wikipedias – Sgaw + Eastern Pwo.

• $18,000: Build three Wikipedias – Sgaw + Eastern Pwo + Western Pwo.

Why This Matters

• Education: Students will have access to free knowledge in their own language.

• Culture: Karen heritage will be preserved, shared, and celebrated.

• Literature: Today, most Karen-language books are limited to Christian spiritual texts and the Bible. New reference books, children’s stories, novels, and poetry will enrich Karen education and creativity.

• Future: A strong Wikipedia will inspire new digital tools and resources for the Karen language.

Wikipedia is the Foundation

Wikipedia is only the beginning. A strong Karen Wikipedia will give us free knowledge in our own language and serve as the foundation for everything else we create. Today, Karen-language books are scarce—our children have few reference materials, almost no children’s books, and little access to novels or poetry in their own language.

With Wikipedia as our base, we can change this. Step by step, we will build not only a living encyclopedia, but also the stories, lessons, and literature that will help the Karen people learn, dream, and thrive in their own language.

How You Can Help

• Donate: Every dollar makes a difference.

• Share: Tell your friends and networks about our campaign.

Together, we can make history. With your support, the Karen people will finally have their own Wikipedias—alive, strong, and accessible to all.

Thank you for standing with us.