Vernacular Resources for Local Communities

This is the second part of my Digital Faith presentation. In this part I describe a possible application of digital audio technologies to provide a simple cheap answer to the problem of providing vernacular resources: approximate oral translation. This idea is scalable, uses appropriate, rugged technology and as far as possible existing resources.

Digital audio and ‘reading’ the Bible

A short 8 mins summary of the first part of my presentation to the Digital Faith meetings at the University of Auckland. Discusses how digital audio changes how we relate to the Bible.

Selling arms to violent criminals

Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Ky (whose party was elected by a landslide in the last free elections in Burma aka Myanmar) has been convicted of not expelling an visitor that her junta appointed jailors allowed to invade her home.
The ethnic opposition to these military dictators in Burma is being chased into exile by armed force or has been bribed into silence.

Yet the junta plan “elections” next year. It is time to speak out. At the very least we can oppose selling more arms to these thugs! Please sign up

New refugees to be shifted to Mae La?

There is a full and detailed report on the Aiya Burma Fund site (which though I have not seen corroborated elsewhere sounds accurate) which says that the 3,000 new refugees will not be housed in a new camp in an abandoned school but moved to Mae La (They fled Burma during the recent surge by the Myanmar and their DKBA surrogate forces when these troops torched their villages.) Mae La was already the largest camp on Thailand’s border. Following an ambush on the Moei River (which forms the border) which killed a DKBA commander Colonel San Pyone they write:

Site of Eden Valley Academy, Tha Song Yang region - Photo: TBBC

Attacks on civilians are anticipated in retribution for the DKBA commander’s death.

Because of the precarious security at Ti Nu Koh agencies responsible for critical infrastructure, food and clothing had asked the Thai Army to post armed guards around the old school should it be used as a temporary camp.

Thai security forces said they were undermanned, could not ensure security and recommended another site be considered.

All parties agreed to move the dislocated people into the massive Mae La refugee camp.

Anyone who wants to return home may do so, but Thai authorities will ask them to sign a form saying they have rejected refuge in Thailand of their own accord and have not been forced to leave.

This is to counter recent allegations of soldiers forcing those fleeing back across the border and to prove Thailand is willing to offer safe haven in a time of need.

Please pray

The Irawaddy reports:

Burmese refugees at Mae La refugee camp are on alert due to a threat of attack by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), according to the vice chairman of the camp.

“The DKBA said they will destroy our camp,” said Vice-Chairman Htun Htun, speaking to The Irrawaddy on Wednesday.

Many of the refugees have packed clothing and belongings in preparation for a military assault, sources in nearby Mae Sot said. Camp authorities have imposed a curfew of 9 p.m. On all refugee residents.

The DKBA threatened to attack Mae La camp after one of their influential commanders, San Pyote (aka Soe Myint), the head of Battalion 7, was ambushed and killed by an unknown armed group while traveling by longtail boat on the Moei River on June 26.

UN Sec Gen to Burma on Friday

(STR/AFP/Getty Images)
Aung San Suu Kyi meeting diplomats before her trial

The Times reports that

The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon, will visit Burma on Friday in a diplomatically risky effort to win concessions from the country’s military dictatorship.

Mr Ban hopes to persuade the Burmese junta to release political prisoners, including the country’s democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, in advance of an election next year, denounced by opposition groups as fraudulent and meaningless.

But if he comes away without a significant compromise by the regime, he will further undermine the UN’s authority in a country where neither punitive sanctions nor diplomatic engagement have brought any obvious improvements.

Please pray that his visit will be useful, and not merely a propaganda opportunity for the regime. It comes at a time when the clamp down on ethnic opposition is particularly intense, with the Burmese opposition (esp. Aung San Suu Kyi) also under attack Ban Ki Moon’s visit could be critical…

Relief supplies needed

Following the call for prayer, as the Burma Army and its allied forces begins to drive villagers out of yet another area, Partners have asked for money to provide relief supplies for the affected villagers:

Partners staff are rapidly working with ethnic leaders to provide critical assistance.

More than 60 families have arrived seeking aid and refugee. Food and emergency supplies are being distributed. Additional help is on the way.

Many at risk families have fled other Burma Army attacks. As recently as last week, Partners staff assisted 40 families with essential provisions, such as mosquito nets, blankets, clothes, pots, pans, and bowls.

If you want to give so innocent people can survive.  Here are the donation pages for:

• New Zealand
• United Kingdom
• Australia
• Canada
• USA

Donations are usually tax deductible!

Call for prayer

Partners in the UK have issued this call for prayer:

2nd June 2009 – Prayer for Ler Ber Her and 22 Battalion, Karen State

We have just received information that the Burma Army and the DKBA (Democratic Karen Buddhist Army) are planning to attack Ler Ber Her, an IDP camp on the border and 22 Battalion close by in Karen State.

Our sources have told us that armed troops of hundreds of soldiers are only 2 days walk away.

The Burma Army and DKBA have arrested civilians whom they are using as porters for the operation. These people come from inside Pa-an district and Myawaddi Township.

Please pray – there are many innocents who today have nowhere else to run and are in fear for their lives.

Burmese activists petition Ban Ki Moon

An international petition for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi is being organised by Burmese activists, the Nobel Prize winning elected leader of the country. They had 271,493 “signatures” when I wrote this, the goal is 400,000 but it would be wonderful to go higher… you could sign here. And post this information to Facebook, your blog or email friends…

Dawn raid

Getting across the border out of Burma does not mean safety for the ethnic minorities. If they integrate into a refugee camp life is restricted to the confines of the camp, and with no working allowed, but is secure, since an NGO and the UNHCR seek to protect your “rights”. On the other hand as “illegal immigrants” people can work, and even move around, with no rights and a fear of the authorities. If however you are “caught” by the authorities, or a vigilante group, in the new country, then things get tough. This account arrived today from a friend of ours in Malaysia:

I attempted to access our 2 friends who were arrested in the recent dawn raid. I went to 2 airports, 2 immigration detention camps, an immigration office and negotiated with 2 police men, 4 RELA officers and 5 immigration officials. In the end, despite my utmost efforts and much pleading with the officer in charge, I was denied access but was at least allowed to leave clean clothes, soap and toothbrushes for them. Today they had to face immigration charges in court. Unfortunately it was a closed court and I was again denied access. The UNHCR lawyer, however, was able to make an appearance at my request. We are hoping that the representation of the UN lawyer will avoid our friends being sentenced to severe whipping. Our friends have now been transferred to prison where I will make a renewed attempt to access them and ascertain their condition.

Please pray!