Nominations are invited for the first Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader Award. The Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader Award will be given annually by the Phan Foundation. ABOUT THE PHAN FOUNDATION
The Phan Foundation was founded by the four children of Padoh Mahn Sha, the General Secretary of the Karen National Union, and Nant Kyin Shwe, in their memory.
The Foundation aims to fight poverty and provide education for Karen people from Burma, who have suffered decades of oppression. It also aims to protect and promote the culture of the Karen, a culture which is being systematically destroyed as part of the Burmese regime's policy of ethnic cleansing. In meeting its objectives, the Foundation will, in particular, focus on young people, encouraging and supporting a new generation of grassroots activists who will work to help their people.
THE AWARD
The Foundation aims to fight poverty and provide education for Karen people from Burma, who have suffered decades of oppression. It also aims to protect and promote the culture of the Karen, a culture which is being systematically destroyed as part of the Burmese regime's policy of ethnic cleansing. In meeting its objectives, the Foundation will, in particular, focus on young people, encouraging and supporting a new generation of grassroots activists who will work to help their people.
THE AWARD
Each year the Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader Award will be granted to a young Karen person who has shown outstanding leadership and dedication in areas such as fighting poverty, promoting education, promoting development, and preserving Karen culture.
An award of two thousands dollars will be given to the organisation or community for whom that person works. The winner of the award will be announced on Karen Resistance Day, 31st January.
Any Karen person under 35 is eligible to be nominated. That person can be living anywhere in the world.
HOW TO NOMINATE SOMEONE
An award of two thousands dollars will be given to the organisation or community for whom that person works. The winner of the award will be announced on Karen Resistance Day, 31st January.
Any Karen person under 35 is eligible to be nominated. That person can be living anywhere in the world.
HOW TO NOMINATE SOMEONE
Nominations close on 31st December 2008. Nominations can be made by any individual or organisation. Organisations can nominate one of their own members. Individuals cannot nominate themselves. They cannot be nominated by close family members.
To nominate someone statements or letter should be provided explaining why the person has been nominated. This could include for example, examples of successes in their work, their motivation, dedication, commitment, putting community before self, selflessness. Case studies and examples are encouraged. It should include their name, date of birth, the reasons for nominating the person, a description of the work that they do, and the name of their organisation or community. Statements of support from those they work with or prominent people would also assist the judging process.
Nominations can be submitted in Karen, Burmese and English. Those people who are shortlisted may be requested to provide further information.
More information can be obtained from phanfoundation@googlemail.comPhone +442073244712 or slonephan2005@yahoo.ca Phone +12042296613 .
Padoh Mahn Sha Lah Phan, General Secretary of the Karen National Union, was assasinated on 14th February 2008.
His four children have established a fund in his memory to raise money to tackle poverty and provide education in Karen State.
Read the Funeral Statement
Funeral Statement
We have lost a great father, and a great leader.
We were lucky to have a father who was caring and full of love. He gave us guidance and support, and taught us tolerance and to stand against injustice. He could not give us wealth or luxury, but ensured that we had an education and the opportunity to fulfil our potential.
He was always humble, yet a strong and brave leader. He dedicated his life to the struggle, and always put the welfare of his people and his country before himself. His example of determination and self-sacrifice to win our freedom won him the love and respect of not just the Karen people, but also the Burmese democracy movement and of freedom loving people around the world.
He will be remembered by many not only as an inspirational leader, but also on a personal level for the many acts of kindness he performed for those who needed help.
We are proud to be his children, as all Karen people and all people who long for freedom in Burma are proud of him.
Our father may be dead, but we will remember him. He taught us that it was our duty to work for the Karen people, and as his children we will continue his dedicated work towards true freedom for our people and peace in our country. His determination for freedom and democracy lives on within us and within the Karen people.
Our father lived for the principles of freedom and democracy. He believed in the unity of the Karen people against our common enemy, and in the unity of all the ethnic nationalities and people of Burma, knowing that only together can we bring freedom to our land, protect our culture and traditions, and fight poverty, hunger and disease.
What the SPDC are trying to do by killing our father is to try to kill what he stood for. We must not let them succeed. The assassination of our father must serve as a wake up call to everyone. All Karen people must realise that the only people that benefit from our division are the SPDC. Why do we let our enemy divide us? There is one Karen people. Why are we divided? We do not want revenge for the killing of our father. The best justice, what our father would want, is unity. As our father did, we love all the Karen people. We appeal to those Karen soldiers in our country who are not with the KNLA. Come back to us, come back to the KNU. Let us be one family again. United and strong. And to Karen people all over the world, forced to leave our country, join with us wherever you are to fight for justice and freedom.
Not just the Karen, but all the freedom loving people of Burma must work together for our freedom. This is what our father worked for. We call on all democratic forces to unite against the common enemy.
And to the international community; the assassination of our father shows once again that the regime is lying to you when they say they have a roadmap to democracy. Our father dedicated his life to the struggle for a democratic Burma. That is why they killed him. Our father worked for a political solution to bring peace and democracy to our country. He worked for a stable federal Burma which would bring peace and development. Our father, and democracy leaders like him, did not get the support from the United Nations and others that they should have. The international community must stop fooling itself that the SPDC will reform itself and change. Instead they must start working with leaders of the democracy movement to bring real change to our country.
We are very grateful for the many messages of support and sympathy that we have received from all over the world. At a time of such sadness for us it has been a great comfort to hear from so many people, and to know how much love and respect people had for our father. We know that many of you are feeling sad and downhearted. That is not what our father would want. He would want you to pay tribute to him by working twice as hard, to be strong and to unified. If you loved our father, the best way to show it is to fight to fulfil his dream of freedom. Don’t let what he stood for die with him.
Our father’s death does not leave us weaker. It shows that we are strong. They killed our father because they are afraid of him and what he stood for. By killing him the regime have shown us what they are afraid of, and so we know that to follow our father’s path is to follow the path to freedom.
He knew that divided we are weak, and together we are strong. He knew we must work with all democratic forces and all ethnic nationalities to bring freedom and peace to our people.
He believed in equality. We may have different languagues and different cultures and traditions, but we are all equal. We have the same rights regardless of our ethnic group, or whether we are a man or a woman.
He believed in self sacrifice. Freedom will not be given to us. We must all dedicate ourselves to the struggle to win back our freedom, so that no more generations grow up in fear and in poverty.
But above all he believed in the four principles of Saw Ba U Gyi:
For us surrender is out of the question.The recognition of Karen State must be complete.We shall retain our arms.We shall decide our own political destiny.
Our father did not live to see freedom for our people, but his dream will be fulfilled.
The Karen, and all the people of Burma, will be free. We shall never surrender.
Statement from the children of Padoh Mahn Sha Lah Phan14 February 2008
We are very sad to lose a great father and a great leader. We were lucky to have a father who was caring and full of love. He gave us guidance and support, and taught us tolerance and to stand against injustice. He could not give us wealth or luxury, but ensured that we had an education and the opportunity to fulfill our potential He was always humble, yet a strong and brave leader. He dedicated his life to the struggle, and always put the welfare of his people and his country before himself. His example of determination and self-sacrifice to win our freedom won him the love and respect of not just the Karen people, but also the Burmese democracy movement and of freedom loving people around the world. He will be remembered by many not only as an inspirational leader, but also on a personal level for the many acts of kindness he performed for those who needed help. We are proud to be his children, as all Karen people and all people who long for freedom in Burma are proud of him. Our father may be dead, but we will remember him. He taught us that it was our duty to work for the Karen people, and as his children we will continue his dedicated work towards true freedom for our people and peace in our country. His determination for freedom and democracy lives on within us and within the Karen people. He did not live to see freedom for our people, but his dream will be fulfilled. The Karen, and all the people of Burma, will be free. We will be establishing a foundation in memory of our father. Donations can be made online at http://www.zoyaphan.com/
To nominate someone statements or letter should be provided explaining why the person has been nominated. This could include for example, examples of successes in their work, their motivation, dedication, commitment, putting community before self, selflessness. Case studies and examples are encouraged. It should include their name, date of birth, the reasons for nominating the person, a description of the work that they do, and the name of their organisation or community. Statements of support from those they work with or prominent people would also assist the judging process.
Nominations can be submitted in Karen, Burmese and English. Those people who are shortlisted may be requested to provide further information.
More information can be obtained from phanfoundation@googlemail.comPhone +442073244712 or slonephan2005@yahoo.ca Phone +12042296613 .
Padoh Mahn Sha Lah Phan, General Secretary of the Karen National Union, was assasinated on 14th February 2008.
His four children have established a fund in his memory to raise money to tackle poverty and provide education in Karen State.
Read the Funeral Statement
Funeral Statement
We have lost a great father, and a great leader.
We were lucky to have a father who was caring and full of love. He gave us guidance and support, and taught us tolerance and to stand against injustice. He could not give us wealth or luxury, but ensured that we had an education and the opportunity to fulfil our potential.
He was always humble, yet a strong and brave leader. He dedicated his life to the struggle, and always put the welfare of his people and his country before himself. His example of determination and self-sacrifice to win our freedom won him the love and respect of not just the Karen people, but also the Burmese democracy movement and of freedom loving people around the world.
He will be remembered by many not only as an inspirational leader, but also on a personal level for the many acts of kindness he performed for those who needed help.
We are proud to be his children, as all Karen people and all people who long for freedom in Burma are proud of him.
Our father may be dead, but we will remember him. He taught us that it was our duty to work for the Karen people, and as his children we will continue his dedicated work towards true freedom for our people and peace in our country. His determination for freedom and democracy lives on within us and within the Karen people.
Our father lived for the principles of freedom and democracy. He believed in the unity of the Karen people against our common enemy, and in the unity of all the ethnic nationalities and people of Burma, knowing that only together can we bring freedom to our land, protect our culture and traditions, and fight poverty, hunger and disease.
What the SPDC are trying to do by killing our father is to try to kill what he stood for. We must not let them succeed. The assassination of our father must serve as a wake up call to everyone. All Karen people must realise that the only people that benefit from our division are the SPDC. Why do we let our enemy divide us? There is one Karen people. Why are we divided? We do not want revenge for the killing of our father. The best justice, what our father would want, is unity. As our father did, we love all the Karen people. We appeal to those Karen soldiers in our country who are not with the KNLA. Come back to us, come back to the KNU. Let us be one family again. United and strong. And to Karen people all over the world, forced to leave our country, join with us wherever you are to fight for justice and freedom.
Not just the Karen, but all the freedom loving people of Burma must work together for our freedom. This is what our father worked for. We call on all democratic forces to unite against the common enemy.
And to the international community; the assassination of our father shows once again that the regime is lying to you when they say they have a roadmap to democracy. Our father dedicated his life to the struggle for a democratic Burma. That is why they killed him. Our father worked for a political solution to bring peace and democracy to our country. He worked for a stable federal Burma which would bring peace and development. Our father, and democracy leaders like him, did not get the support from the United Nations and others that they should have. The international community must stop fooling itself that the SPDC will reform itself and change. Instead they must start working with leaders of the democracy movement to bring real change to our country.
We are very grateful for the many messages of support and sympathy that we have received from all over the world. At a time of such sadness for us it has been a great comfort to hear from so many people, and to know how much love and respect people had for our father. We know that many of you are feeling sad and downhearted. That is not what our father would want. He would want you to pay tribute to him by working twice as hard, to be strong and to unified. If you loved our father, the best way to show it is to fight to fulfil his dream of freedom. Don’t let what he stood for die with him.
Our father’s death does not leave us weaker. It shows that we are strong. They killed our father because they are afraid of him and what he stood for. By killing him the regime have shown us what they are afraid of, and so we know that to follow our father’s path is to follow the path to freedom.
He knew that divided we are weak, and together we are strong. He knew we must work with all democratic forces and all ethnic nationalities to bring freedom and peace to our people.
He believed in equality. We may have different languagues and different cultures and traditions, but we are all equal. We have the same rights regardless of our ethnic group, or whether we are a man or a woman.
He believed in self sacrifice. Freedom will not be given to us. We must all dedicate ourselves to the struggle to win back our freedom, so that no more generations grow up in fear and in poverty.
But above all he believed in the four principles of Saw Ba U Gyi:
For us surrender is out of the question.The recognition of Karen State must be complete.We shall retain our arms.We shall decide our own political destiny.
Our father did not live to see freedom for our people, but his dream will be fulfilled.
The Karen, and all the people of Burma, will be free. We shall never surrender.
Statement from the children of Padoh Mahn Sha Lah Phan14 February 2008
We are very sad to lose a great father and a great leader. We were lucky to have a father who was caring and full of love. He gave us guidance and support, and taught us tolerance and to stand against injustice. He could not give us wealth or luxury, but ensured that we had an education and the opportunity to fulfill our potential He was always humble, yet a strong and brave leader. He dedicated his life to the struggle, and always put the welfare of his people and his country before himself. His example of determination and self-sacrifice to win our freedom won him the love and respect of not just the Karen people, but also the Burmese democracy movement and of freedom loving people around the world. He will be remembered by many not only as an inspirational leader, but also on a personal level for the many acts of kindness he performed for those who needed help. We are proud to be his children, as all Karen people and all people who long for freedom in Burma are proud of him. Our father may be dead, but we will remember him. He taught us that it was our duty to work for the Karen people, and as his children we will continue his dedicated work towards true freedom for our people and peace in our country. His determination for freedom and democracy lives on within us and within the Karen people. He did not live to see freedom for our people, but his dream will be fulfilled. The Karen, and all the people of Burma, will be free. We will be establishing a foundation in memory of our father. Donations can be made online at http://www.zoyaphan.com/
Saw Say Say
Nant Bwa Bwa Phan
Nant Zoya Phan
Slone Phan
A brief biography of Padoh Mahn Sha
Padoh Mahn Sha Lah Phan was born in Rangoon on 5th July 1943.He graduated from Rangoon University in 1966 with a degree in history.He joined the Karen National Union (KNU) in 1963. In 1964 he became a member of the KNU Central Committee, and was elected Joint General Secretary in 1995. He was elected General Secretary in 2000, and is also a member of the Secretariat of the National Council of the Union of Burma, the umbrella organisation representing organisations in the Burmese democracy movement. Padoh Mahn Sha married Nant Kyin Shwe in 1976. She passed away on 31st July 2004. He is survived by four children, two sons and two daughters; Saw Say Say, Nant Bwa Bwa Phan, Nant Zoya Phan, Slone Phan
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