This couple are the grandparents of a friend of mine in Mae La Refugee Camp. One evening we visited their home. This is what they told me:
Kwe Seh and Deh Tzeh have lived in Mae La since 1988. The Burmese Army was near there village in Burma and though they were only unarmed famers, they were taken as porters many times. Because of the frequency of the army visits, K and D were unable to work their land and therefore provide food for their families. Kwe Seh said that porters are beaten and killed. She watched it happen many times. She herself was kicked and beaten when she walked to slow or appeared to be tired. They were also used as minesweepers. This means when the Burmese get to a field where they've planted landmines but forgotten where they've placed them, they have the porters walk ahead, to set them off before they follow. One of Kwe Seh's friends, Juhst Mi, stepped on one and lost her leg. She was 17 years old.
In 1988, their oldest son (16 at the time) was killed by the Burmese. When the army attacked, he ran to avoid being taken as a porter, since it is most dangerous for young men. However he was caught and killed. "The Burmese are like dogs. They only bite; don't know how to care for people. They have guns so they think they are strong. They are not human."
It was not long after this that Kwe Seh and Deh Tzeh decided to take their four kids to Mae La Refugee Camp in Thailand. It took them five days to walk through the jungle to safety.
K and D are afraid to go back to Burma, but said if there was democracy, they would. Kwe Seh said, "I want to go home." They hope Burma has peace so they can return to their village. When I asked them why the Burmese are so bad to the Karen, they said, "They hate Karen. They are not human; do not fear God; Satan's workers."
K and D believe that America can help. "Need to help us get peace and democracy in Burma. Then we can go home." And going home, they said, is the most imoportant thing.
Me in Deh Tzeh and his Granddaughter (and her daughter) in their house in Mae La Refugee Camp.
