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Phan Foundation Announces £8,000 of Grants

On the third anniversary of the assassination of Padoh Mahn Sha La Phan, then General Secretary of the Karen National Union, the Phan Foundation announces grants of £8,000 to carry on his work.

The Phan Foundation was set up by the four children of Padoh Mahn Sha and Nant Kyin Shwe, in their memory.

Recognising the need of organisations to receive long term grants which they can depend on, the Phan Foundation has committed to the following annual grants

£700 for a community run orphanage in Doo Tha Tu District
£1,000 to Karen Education Department for teacher salaries
£200 to the European Karen Network for its work promoting human rights
£600 to Kwekalu for its news services which provide education, protect Karen culture, and promote human rights

The annual Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader Award will continue to be made, with a grant of £1,500 to support the work of the recipient. This year award will be announced and presented at the Karen Unity Seminar.

In addition, the Phan Foundation announces the following grants:

£1,000 to the Karen Education Department for teacher training
£1,000 – to Kwekalu for its news services which provide education, protect Karen culture, and promote human rights
£250 – for a school in Mutraw
£650 to Karen Student Network Group for production of its magazine
£200 – to support students in Pa’an.
£800 – Students in Kler Lwe Htoo District.

“We are pleased to announce these grants, in memory of our parents,” said Zoya Phan, Founder and Director of the Phan Foundation. “We think this is one of the best ways we can pay tribute to our parents, and continue their work. The organisations we are supporting do fantastic work which deserves support. We hope than in the future the Phan Foundation will be able to grow and increase the projects it can support. We are grateful to all our donors who have enabled us to make these grants.”

On 14th February 2008 Padoh Mahn Sha was assassinated at his home in the town of Mae Sot, on the Thailand Burma border, by agents of the Burmese dictatorship.

The Foundation has four main objectives: To alleviate poverty; To provide education; To promote human rights; To protect Karen culture; For the Karen people of Burma.

People wishing to donate to the Phan Foundation can do so at http://www.phanfoundation.org

Note to Editors: The Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader Award for 2010 will be announced in May 2010 during the Karen Unity Seminar.

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