1. What About Bob? A Karen Student’s Story from a Refugee Camp in Thailand to Spokane, Washington

2. Thousands of Karen people were killed in the 1980’s 1995- 2003 the BIA relocated hundreds of Karen villages to the border of Thailand By 2006, the KNLA's strength had shrunk to less than 4,000, opposing what is now a 400,000-man Burmese army 2003 a ceasefire failed, and it was clear hundreds of thousand of Karen refugees would not be returning home. In 2004 200,000 Karen had been driven from their homes and relocated, with 160,000 refugees from Burma living in refugee camps on the Thai side of the border More History

3. Karen people are Buddhists that also practice animism. 25% are Christian Celebrations include the Karen New year (which marks the end of the rice harvest), Revolution Day (celebrates the beginning of the Karen uprising of 1949), as well as Christmas The traditional clothing of the Karen is a sarong and shirt for males, and long white dresses for females. Different Karen subgroups wear different colors and styles, yet follow the same basic pattern Family centered, highly enforced hierarchy within family units Karen Culture/ Customs

4. Education is very important Love videos and sports Love to visit/converse with people Eat with right hand Arranged marriages NO SEX BEOFRE MARRIAGE Homophobic Alcohol and drugs Culture/Customs Continued

5. 18 year old male Born in the Ban Don Yang Refugee Camp located in the Southwest region of Thailand Father died in Burma as a result of clashes with the Burman government 1996-1997? Mother fled to the refugee camp, where Bob’s Grandparents lived. Preschool and elementary school Loved Library Beaten by a gang in the camp Bob’s Story:

6. 2010-2011? Bangkok, Japan, New York, Some middle state, Spokane! Arrived with nothing In silent stage for a year and a half Loves player soccer and wrestling Likes his friends and classmates Christmas! Hate the heat and cold Wants to work at Goodwill, maybe college School, and learning English is important Loves the library, good at computers Can only be in high school until the age of 21 More on Bob…