It’s been two years since we hosted the last Student Leadership Camp. In the last two years, many things have changed. Most parts of the world have already recovered from the impact of the Covid pandemic but Myanmar, formerly Burma, has not. While the world is slowly recovering, Myanmar is now facing another crisis — a deadly war between one of the most vicious military regimes and the people of Myanmar led by young people and different ethnic armed groups.
On our second day of the camp, we started hearing bomb shelling during the day as we prepared for the outdoor team-building games. The setup was more like a training camp. The participants had to crawl under some ropes tied across each other. Then teams will have to bring each member into a circle. After that, each member of the team will carry water to fill up a big bottle. Then the two teams will have to fight each other in the tug-of-war game. One volunteer shared, “Wajau, this is like the training I went through just early this year.” I was curious and asked about the training. He mentioned that in the town where he lives, the majority of the young men enlisted to join the training of the KIA (Kachin Independent Army). “Were you scared,” I asked him. He answered, “I am no longer afraid to die, Wajau.”
Many young men and women volunteered and enlisted in many of the ethnic armed groups like KIA. But there are also those who choose to remain and serve in a different way. Many of the students I used to work with in the Catholic Student Action Myitkyina (CSAM) movement are now working in Church-based organizations or non-government organizations. But there is also an ongoing exodus of many of the young people particularly young men because of the new conscription law passed that requires all young men between 18 and 35 years old to serve the Burmese military.
After we finished preparing the grounds for the outdoor team-building activities, we returned to the main hall to listen to the lectures given by one of the newly ordained priests in the Diocese. The whole camp is designed to allow the young person to discover who he is as a person, as a Catholic and as a member of the CSAM.
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From the first camp we hosted to this one, among the many topics covered in the camp are the following: Leadership and communication skills, Baptism and Eucharist, Catholic Social Teachings, See-Judge-Act Review of the Life Method, and Laudato Si. For the Catholic Social Teachings, I invited Chris, who had two months of military training, to give input on the topic. He is one of the original members of the movement and has been taking part in the Student Leadership Camps first as a participant and then now as one of the speakers. I was very proud listening and watching him interacting with the new group of students.
This year, we invited young students between the ages of 15-18 years old who are still attending “government schools.” Because of the conscription law, many young people over 18 years old have left Myanmar or are not active in parish activities. This age group is also often left out of parish activities. They do not join the Holy Childhood movement because they feel they are too old to join their activities, but they are too shy to join the older youth group of the parish.
After the intense team-building activities, the participants shared the meals they all prepared. During the evening, the participants were introduced to the concept of servant leadership. Every one of the participants participated in the washing of the feet activity. Many were deeply touched by the exercise.
The following day the participants learned about the history of CSAM, its vision, mission and activities. Then they selected the new set of leaders for the Catholic Student Action Myitkyina Juniors. That night we ended the camp with a talent show showcasing the participants’ and volunteers’ talents in singing, dancing and drama skits.
This year’s edition of Student Leadership Camp gathered about 36 students, ten volunteers and seven resource speakers at the CLAY Center, Palana, Myiktyina, Kachin State in Myanmar. With a new set of officers and members, we hope to gather more students from government schools and start school-based groups of CSAM Juniors. The day after the end of the camp, the new set of CSAM Juniors leaders met and decided to conduct a fund-raising campaign, “Option for the Poor,” to help and provide basic needs like cooking oil, potatoes, onions, garlic and rice plus clothes for families displaced by the on-going war.
As I am writing this article, it continues to thunder but not rain. The Burmese Army continues to shell villages across the river. But even with this in our background, help us continue to animate young people here in Myanmar through the Catholic Student Action Mytikina. Help us also continue to provide much-needed alternative educational services through our Student Learning Resources Center.
Above is a short sharing of Chris, one of our camp volunteers, speaker and a CSAM alumni.
Fr. Kurt Zion Pala lives and works in Myanmar.
Letter from a Participant
“Before I joined the Catholic Student Action Myitkyina movement, I was just a simple and ordinary teenager and university student. I spent my time doing nothing useful, and I didn’t have any interest in things about society, community, church and others. I was only interested in the progress of my studies and lived like a blind man. I did not have confidence. I was really afraid to speak with others. Even if I want to participate, I don’t know where I have to go and there was no one to guide me.
When I became an active member of CSAM, I completely changed in terms of my attitude, and I was reminded that I need to change my lifestyle. By participating in CSAM programs and activities, I got a lot of experience and knowledge. I was one of the first to attend the Student Leadership Camp, which I treasure for life. In the leadership camp, I have learned many useful topics and skills like leadership, team building, public speaking, facilitation and the Catholic Social Teachings. The team-building activities were my favorite.
After I attended leadership camp, I learned how to participate in my own community, and how to live out the Catholic Social Teachings. I also learned we need to care for our common home and act now. Through CSAM, I also got to know more friends, and it helped me build my own strong network. Now, I can also speak bravely in public, and I feel more confident about myself. I have team spirit and can work well with others. As a result of participating in CSAM, I became a youth leader in my parish in Mogaung. If I didn’t participate in CSAM I would not be brave enough to be a youth leader, I believed that. The experiences and knowledge I gained from CSAM continues to influence my leadership life and style. Now I’m able to share some of those skills and knowledge with my younger friends.”