The 140,000 Burmese refugees living in refugee camps along the Thai-Burma border represent one of the most critical refugee crises in the world. But just as the camps are made invisible by their locations deep in the monsoon jungle, so too does their situation go largely underreported by the western press and unnoticed by the collective western conscience.

The Karen are the largest ethnic minority in Burma. Individuals, families and entire villages have fled across the border into Thailand to escape the ongoing civil war and relentless persecution by the Burmese military dictatorship.

Among the refugees - some of whom have lived in the camp for over 15 years - an atmosphere of resignation prevails. However, the youth maintain hope for their future. Many of them are fluent in Karen, Burmese, and English and are determined in their pursuit of education and a better life for themselves and their community.

One individual, Saw Hai Nay Htoo, left his family and his village in Burma and fled to Thailand in search of educational opportunities. He is now one of the AjA Project’s Photography Program instructors.

Photography Program Weaving Vocational Program