Kachin ladies witness through community work

YANGON, Myanmar — Military rule often makes everyday life difficult for the approximately 1.2 million people who live in Kachin State in northern Myanmar. However, two women who work as field co-ordinators for the Kachin Community Development Program are acting as dedicated witnesses to how God’s Word can provide support and hope.

The women, 30-year-old Nhkum Mai Ja and 29-year-old Nhkum Ja Lung, were present in July at the Asian Institute for Christian Communication conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand, thanks to support from DanAid, a Danish charity. They wore their traditional Kachin dress with pride, as is their custom at important events.

Other participants, who came from across Asia and Africa, heard how the women use their involvement in local communities as a way of both promoting community development and bringing the Gospel message to people. This is a challenging task in a setting in which almost 58 per cent of the population are Buddhist and animist beliefs are also widespread.

Attending the conference assisted the women in developing more targeted communication strategies and gave them renewed strength for their work. (WR 371/29 - 10.02) [PHOTOS] 

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Nhkum Mai Ja (right) and Nhkum Ja Lung, field co-ordinators for the Kachin Community Development Program in Myanmar, attending the Asian Institute for Christian Communication conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in July 2002. Yangon, Myanmar. Photo: UBS Southern Africa Regional Service Center/Francois Sieberhagen (MYA02DJ-7.JPG)