In December, Keiko Nakao and Tomoe Morita of BRC-J joined us in Thailand for a tour of northern camps. We met them in Chiang Mai, then visited Mae Hong Son and Mae Sariang. .
This was our first visit to Mae Khong Kha, a remote Karen refugee camp, near Mae Sariang We were delighted to meet some of the residents of Ban Sala, the student camp within a camp, where BRM has been supporting student ordinations for several years.
In September, the camp, which is situated along a narrow river bed in the Salween National Forest, was devastated by a flash flood. Twenty-six refugees lost their lives, and more than 400 houses were destroyed. Because of prompt action on the part of the school staff, most students were evacuated safely. Upon receiving the news, Keiko had contacted a reporter from Asahi Shinbun, one of Japan's largest newspapers. An article he wrote generated about $3000 in relief. Keiko was anxious to see how the money had been used, and the refugees were very happy to welcome her.
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