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Ways you can help Burma

Let's help the Burmese cycle their way out of poverty. The following is a a non-exhaustive list of what you can do to help:

1) Lobby Politicians

Your government is most likely to be democratic and won’t throw you into jail for expressing your opinions. As Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said, ‘Please use your freedom to help ours.’ Do not think that nobody will listen to you, as you are just an individual. Write your MP a letter, outlining your concerns regarding Burma, and ask them to raise the matter with the responsible Government minister. Make it personal, as this will have a greater impact, and offer to provide more information if the MP may desire it.

To get you started, here are some website links to MP details in selected countries. You can help us to provide a comprehensive list. If your country isn’t there, and you know the link, send it to us so we can add it for your fellow countrypersons.

Australia: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/mi-elctr.asp

New Zealand: http://www.clerk.parliament.govt.nz/YourMP/ListMPs/

UK: http://www.faxyourmp.com/index.php3

USA: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

2) Write to your local newspaper

The chances are that the local paper has never had a feature on Burma, so change that. Most local papers cannot afford to send their journalists to Burma, therefore offer them some of your work. They may just want to interview you or maybe just edit your words. You do not need a degree in English to write a one off piece for a newspaper.

3) Tell everyone you know about Burma and what is happening.

If you've been to Burma, tell everyone your stories of when you were there. Tell them about the how beautiful the people and place was, and how they don't deserve the current atrocities being inflicted upon them.

4) Ask around your local community for Burmese groups you can work wth or join in with community activites.

Migrant and exiled communities of Burmese are common all over the world. Why don't you find one and try to get involved? Right now, they need all the help they can get.

5) Volunteer with Burmese groups

What is your speciality? Working with children? Teaching English? Law? Engineering? Media Work? Send us an email, as we know of some organisations you can volunteer with. When things settle down in Burma, they will need you more then ever. Furthermore, it is anticipated there will be a flood of refugees arriving in Thailand - they will need help. Consider volunteering on the border. NOTE: We request you do your independent research as to volunteer groups to volunteer with - as we are not always up-to-date with the situation on the ground.

6) Join our Facebook Group

Are you on Facebook? Join our Voices for Burma group and tell your friends too!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6265149533

7) Donate money to worthwhile charities who support projects inside Burma or to Burmese refugees.

Here are some charities that we know of, however feel free to contact your favourite charity and see if they have any projects that support Burma or Burmese refugees.

· Amnesty International http://www.amnesty.org/

· Oxfam http://www.oxfam.org

. Save the Children - www.savethechildren.org/

· Prospect Burma http://www.prospectburma.org/

· Unicef http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/myanmar.html

. Love a Child - http://www.loveachildfoundation.com/

. Burma Children's Fund - http://www.burmachildrensfund.org.uk

. Mandalay Students Fund - www.mandalaystudentfund.com