Nang Moan Moan Pao an IDP helper with empathy

“I have suffered from the impact of fighting since I was five. At that time, I had to sleep on a htamein (sarong) under a tree with my aunts. It motivates me to become more involved in social work, helping IDPs with a sense of purpose, empathy, compassion, and loving-kindness”.

Nang Moan Moan Pao, from Hsipaw, northern Shan State, helps IDPs and is involved in social and charity work. She was one of the constituents in Hsipaw constituency (1) in 2020, and won a seat in State Parliament. Below is her personal story about helping IDPs and the challenges she is facing.
 
Where I live, there are a lot of EAOs, and the Burmese military is active. So, fighting happens very often and it caused many IDPs in the areas. Around 2015 – 2016, the situation was politically unstable in Shan State. As a result, a lot of IDPs were in trouble. I connected with the Shan Literature and Cultural Association (SLCA), and we collaborated and collected donations for IDPs. I continue to work with SLCA now.
 
“I feel sad when I am helping IDPs, especially when I see their houses destroyed, clothes scattered, and ongoing human rights violations.  I try to help them as much as I can, as I have similar life experience and can empathize.”  

Read the full article below.