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2,600 Dollars Raised at Memorial Concert For Padoh Mahn Sha - 100 people attend London concert.

100 people attended a memorial concert for Padoh Mahn Sha in London last night, raising more than $2,600 for projects to fight poverty and provide education in Karen State, Burma.. The concert was the first public event to raise money for the fund set up following the assassination of Padoh Mahn Sha.

The Iuventus Quartet performed classical music by Haydn and Dvorak at the concert. They had performed the same music to Padoh Mahn Sha and other Karen leaders on a visit to the Thai-Burma border just days before he was assasinated.

Speaking at the concert Zoya Phan, daughter of Padoh Mahn Sha, described how he was a loving husband and father as well as an admired political leader. “He loved us, his children, but he also loved all the Karen people and all the people of Burma.”

Saw David Thackerbaw, a friend of Padoh Mahn Sha and spokesperson for the Karen National Union, described how Mahn Sha’s strong spirit lives on in the Karen people and gives them strength in their continuing struggle.

Mark Farmaner, Director of the Burma Campaign UK, said; “When we lost Padoh Mahn Sha we lost not just the kind of leader the Karen need, and that Burma needs, but also the kind of the leader the whole world needs.” He also paid tribute to the four children of Padoh Mahn Sha, who are carrying on his work.

In a message from Benedict Rogers, Advocacy Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide and friend of Padoh Mahn Sha, he talked of the kind and generous man he knew as well as the inspiring political leader that he was.

There were also readings of poems about Padoh Mahn Sha by Juliet Rogers, and Rimond Htoo of the Karenni National Progressive Party.

The memorial fund that the concert was held for will soon be formally established as the Phan Foundation. It will support projects promoting education and fighting poverty in Karen State, Burma. It was established by the four children of Padoh Mahn Sha;  Saw Say Say Phan, Nant Bwa Bwa Phan, Nant Zoya Phan, and Slone Phan.

“We are very encouraged by how many people came to the concert and the generous donations they gave,” said Zoya Phan. “It shows how people loved and respected our father. We will continue to work towards our father’s dream of a Burma without poverty and disease, and where there is education for all.”

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