Introduction

A Profile of Ordinary Activist

Naw Hnin Nanda Oo aka Naw P'saw Htee, an active member of Karen Community Association - UK, is a medical doctor by training. She was born and raised in Rangoon, Burma. Upon completion of her matriculation with distinctions in all six subjects from a prestigious TTC high school in Rangoon in 1993, P'saw Htee attended Rangoon University's Institute of Medicine (I) and received her medical degree.

"Since I was little, I wanted to be a doctor."

P'saw Htee came to England four years ago. She has been an active advocate for human rights in Burma, especially for the internally displaced Karen people. "I came to the UK to gain more experience and further my education so that I could help my people one day."

During her student years, P'saw Htee was active in the Student Christian Movement. "I am particularly interested in women rights issues." She was a volunteer health educator with Medecins Sans Frontieres -Holland and SCM, giving health education training on HIV/AIDS awareness among school children and church youths.

It is very sad to learn about the current situation in Burma as a whole. As we are living outside we could see the vast difference between our host countries and our home country. There are a lot of changes need to be done in every aspect.

The new generation young Karen, says P'saw Htee, should take the opportunities to study, acquire good education and work hard. "We must be good examples for our people and should be prepared to help our own underprivileged brothers and sisters back home."

"The most important thing is to never lose track of our own culture. It is our duty to maintain our language and culture; we have to master English and other languages at the same time, so that we could pass it onto our next generation. And never to forget those people who are still suffering back home."