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Back in February of this year, Celebrations of Love sponsored a fundraiser for Burma Humanitarian Mission, an an all-volunteer organization of individuals who train locals to become backpacking medics, treating villagers in need. These volunteers risk their lives to bring urgent medical supplies to people in need.
BHM provides several medical relief operations each year, in which volunteers backpack from Thailand into Burma, to deliver urgent supplies. COL's Scott Catamas will be joining the BHM team for such a mission in early 2009. If you are interested in participating in such a journey, please call Scott and/or attend one of our FUNdraising parties.
Now, in the aftermath of the devastating cyclone that ravaged so many villages and people who still need urgent relief, coupled with the utter lack of basic care and support from the ruling junta, we are again helping in the efforts to provide much needed support to this truly worthy organization.
During this short window of time that the world's attention is drawn to Burma, we are urging all of our friends to provide some support for Burma Humanitarian Mission as well.
You can help by attending a fundraiser here and in the Los Angeles area, or by participating in our Silent Auction. Details below.
FUNdraising Parties
We'll be holding three FUNdraisers this month, repeats of the one we held in Southern California last month. Please join Scott Catamas and other hosts for one or all:
• Wednesday, July 23 in beautiful So. Marin, by RSVP Only, 7:30 to 10 pm, with guest, Scott Hitchens of BHM
Please call to register - Directions given at that time.
• CANCELLED -Thursday, July 24 at The Temple of Yes, Santa Cruz, 7:30 to 10 pm
• Friday, July 25, at Lucky's residence in Marina del Rey, 7:30 to 10 pm by RSVP only. (See poster from June 9 below for some details)
click on poster for larger image (now July 25)
Silent Auction
Otherwise, you might choose to participate in a month-long silent auction. You can help by donating time or services! Or by bidding on (and, hopefully, winning!) one of our items (short list below; more to come). Perhaps you would be interested in helping to host another event. Scott Catmas, working with Jennifer, is considering offering more fundraising events in both Southern and Northern California.
Of course, straightout financial donations are terrific, too. The money goes towards purchasing medical supplies in Thailand, where the BHM backpackers pick them up and then hike into Burma.
Please contact Scott and let him know how you can help or to bid on items.
Scott Catamas: 415-336-1276 or newearthscott@aol.com
Namasté.
We urge you to take a moment to read the article (linked below), about how the Military Junta that rules Burma is treating its own people; they are evicting cyclone victims from shelters.
Click here: T r u t h o u t | Burma's Junta Evicting Cyclone Victims From Shelters
(http://www.truthout.org/article/burmas-junta-evicting-cyclone-victims-from-shelters)
Silent Auction Items
Stay tuned. More will be added.
A. One week (7 days, 6 nights) at beautiful Hale Akua Garden Farm in Maui.
(Donated by Lori Grace. $2,000 value)
For details, please visit http://www.haleakuagardenfarm.com.
B. 4-hour evening or half-day of Compassionate Communication with Scott Catamas.
(Donated by Scott Catamas. $300 value)
This can be for anyone in Southern or Northern California. I will arrange to come to their location and provide up to 4 hours of Compassionate Communication (a.k.a.: NVC). What I provide is very flexible, to support what ever need they might be having. Some possibilities:
1) Coaching a couple on how to be more compassionate in their relationship(s);
2) Coaching room-mates or a family;
3) Coaching a small business;
4) An introductory class, for a family, small business, club or non-profit organization.
C. 2-hour Tantric Massage Session for anyone in the San Francisco Bay Area with Shakti Trinka.
(Donated by Goddess Shakti Trinka. $300 value)
D. A non-sensual therapeutic session for anyone in Southern California with Dagny.
(Donated by Goddess Dagny. $200 value)
E. 1-hour Lightarian Reiki Healing Session for anyone in Southern California (details to come).
(Donated by Samuel (of Sacred Friends). $150 value)
 
Scott Catamas and Jennifer Zurick (Director, BHM)
Burma Humanitarian Mission (BHM) is an all-volunteer organization of U.S. individuals who travel in the opposite direction of Laura Bowman. Remarkably, each year they trek through mountains from Thailand to Burma to support the backpacking medics’ efforts.
The people of Burma have been struggling to have a free and democratic society for nearly 50 years. The ruling military junta (SPDC) has engaged in the brutal and systematic oppression of its own citizenry to enrich themselves and deny the will of the people to have basic freedoms and rights.
At one time, the Burmese health care system was respected and admired. Today, the World Health Organization ranks Burma as 190th of 191 surveyed nations in terms of its ability to care for the medical and health needs of its population. Between one and two million people have fled their homes and now hide in the Burmese jungles or exist in refugee camps inside Thailand.
Flower, a BHM Medic, offers prenatal care to a villager.
In the face of this tragedy, Burma Humanitarian Mission was formed in 1999. While other organizations pursue a political solution, BHM is dedicated to providing immediate humanitarian medical assistance to the Karen tribes in eastern Burma and the camps. BHM volunteers have provided medical aid, key training for the backpacking medics, and funded the construction of training facilities for medics as well as the construction of a traditional herbal clinic.
 
BHM works with local and village leaders to train committed Karen men and women to become backpack medics. The nine-month training program covers a range of subjects: emergency medical and trauma care, midwifery, pediatric care, and community health practices to prevent basic illness and disease. Each year, BHM trains 30 to 35 new medics. Each medic can support anywhere from 100 to 2,000 people. Last year, BHM provided more than 35,000 doses of medicine to help fight infection and disease.
 
BHM Medics and Supplies being readied for distribution.
Burma Humanitarian Mission is an all volunteer organization. Volunteers pay for their own travel expenses and administrative costs, so all donations go directly to medical aid and training. Contributions are tax deductible under IRS code 501(c)3.
Burma Humanitarian Mission members on humanitarian expedition in 2000.
Members of the Burma Humanitarian Mission will be with us at the event to answer questions and talk more about the recent events in Burma as well as their upcoming humanitarian expedition.
Jeremy was an extraordinary soul who passed away in November 2007 of prostate cancer at the age of 36.
Jeremy was a dedicated activist who worked full-time with Greenpeace and was one of the founding members of Burma Humanitarian Mission. Jeremy’s widow and his mother traveled with BHM to Burma in late February to deliver medical supplies as part of a memorial trip in honor of Jeremy.
Learn more about the recent events in Burma, and support these remarkable individuals as we give tribute to the life of this amazing man!
Burma Humanitarian Mission
2134 37th Street NW, Washington DC 20007
info@burmamission.org • www.burmamission.org
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