
SPRING CHRONICLES
SUM PUBLICATIONS

May is a civil servant who joined the Civil Disobedience Movement after the military staged the coup in February 2021. She joined a bag-making business and became a tailor to support herself. She fled to Mae Sot after the junta's security forces seized the shop she worked in and arrested her colleagues. She currently works for a bag-making business started by activists and CDM police officers in Mae Sot, and the group is called CDM Unity. May continues to support the CDM community in Myanmar with the income generated from making bags. CDM Unity products are available for purchase on their Facebook page.
On February 1st, 2021, the military junta staged a violent coup and forcibly took over power...
Six days after the military staged the coup, U Min Ko Naing and U Win Htein went on social media and urged civil servants to oppose the coup by refusing to show up for work. They talked about how civil servants could halt all governing mechanisms by participating in peaceful protests, and February 8th became the day civil servants across the nation stopped showing up at work.
When the news began circulating among the civil servants, some commented, “Our years of service would go to waste if we quit. There is no way we can join the Civil Disobedience Movement. Who will provide for us when we no longer have our jobs? We have families to take care of.” Some of my colleagues tried to convince me not to make hasty decisions after reading some posts on social media. We also could not discuss the prospect of joining CDM at work since we had a few retired majors and lieutenants working in administrative positions at the office.
I could not sleep whenever I thought about how I was going to support my family if I no longer have my job. While at the same time, I can feel my blood boil when I think about the political leaders who are unlawfully detained by the junta. I care about my country more than my job, and I do not want to see it sink to the bottom. I especially do not want Amay Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, whom we all love and admire, to be arrested again. She already sacrificed herself and spent many years behind bars for her people and country.
Whenever I had these thoughts, I felt determined to do whatever I could to help with the revolution. It does not matter how trivial my contribution may be. It was my chance to be a part of it, and the opportunity was in my hands. I finally made up my mind and informed my parents that I decided to join CDM. I announced my decision on Facebook, I mentioned my position and my department, and I invited my colleagues to join me. I also sent a letter to the director of the department explaining my decision.
I felt relieved after making the decision, and I felt proud of myself when my friends congratulated me. I thought to myself that I could finally carry out my duty as a civil servant.
On February 15th, I proudly wore my uniform, carried the protest signs, and joined a demonstration with my colleagues in front of our office. During the demonstration, we spotted some of our colleagues, dressed in plain clothes, attempting to get into the office without anyone noticing. They used to be like my second family, we used to sit and have meals together, but all of them looked like strangers to me at that moment.
We choked with emotion as we shouted, “Do not go to work, break free!” on the side of the road. We also witnessed the color of our logo and office signboard suddenly change from red to blue, and we were infuriated. We felt we had been bullied around, and we had no say in what was going on. The people, however, saw us protesting and came out to support us. They gave us water, snacks, and they cheered for us until the deafening sound of applause filled the street. Tears began to run down my face, and I used them to give me the strength I needed to become a civil servant that stands in solidarity with the people. The fascist terrorists started killing peaceful protesters soon after, and we witnessed similar incidents in our neighborhood.
We saw the junta's security forces came into our street and fired their weapons, arrested the residents, and later tortured them. I am a CDM civil servant, and I was afraid for my life, so I decided to move. I also avoided the soldiers when they came into my street during the day. I had to move from place to place, and it was especially difficult for a mother with a toddler like me. I had to stop myself from breaking down and bursting into tears many times.
My daughter occasionally asked me if the soldiers were coming to arrest me when she saw military trucks. I would catch a glimpse of her looking worried, so I would go ahead and console her.
“What is the color of your father’s uniform?”
“It’s green, mom.”
“Is it the same color as the uniform those soldiers are wearing?”
“Yes. It’s the same, mom.” Her eyes would sparkle as she said.
“Then you don’t need to be afraid because your father is just like them.” She would go back to being her usual self and continue playing happily, and I could let out a sigh of relief only then.
You are correct in case you might be wondering. My ex-husband is someone from the military who did not join CDM. If I ever get a chance one day, I would like to take a photo of my daughter when she is scared, and I would like to show it to people like him. I want to let them know how much she is hurt and distressed because of what they are doing.
As time went by, it became more and more difficult for CDM civil servants to support themselves. My friends and I got an idea to start a small business to help CDM civil servants
who are struggling to make ends meet, and I took the initiative to lead the group. One of my ex-colleagues had a bag-making business during that time, and she offered to help us. She gave us job opportunities, and she supported us with everything we needed. We took care of each other, and we made sure no one in our group abandoned the movement and went back to their previous jobs. We carried on with unbreakable determination to make sure CDM remained strong, and we did not look back on our decision.
On March 14th, 2022, the junta's security forces seized our shop and detained two of my colleagues who were CDM civil servants. They also detained eight young men and took everyone to the interrogation center. As someone who is part of the group, I was in shock, and I was in fear for my life. I decided to leave my home and go into hiding.
My daughter looked at me with her eyes full of tears when she saw me packing in a hurry. I pretended not to notice she was standing there. I did not want my daughter to see me like this if I was going to be arrested. More importantly, I need to stay alive for her. I left my daughter that night and fled to a neighboring country with the help of a friend.
Although I faced many difficulties in my life, this was by far the worst experience I have had. I contacted my mother and informed her of my situation when I got somewhere safe, and she wept as we talked on the phone. I consoled and reassured her that I would be gone for a while. While it is true that I could only go back home after we win the revolution, my situation is nothing compared to those who are imprisoned or do not have a home to go back to. That being said, I have already spent countless days crying my eyes out after thinking about home.
I arrived in Mae Sot with my friend, who was the owner of the bag-making business that supported us, and we started a group called CDM Unity. We launched a bag-making business together with activists and police officers who joined CDM. It was surreal for me to work with the police officers since I used to be afraid of them. However, they are police officers who made the conscious decision to stand in solidarity with the people, and I am very proud of them for what they did. Everyone in the group is now like my second family, and we work well together.
We are trying our best during these uncertain times.
We have our own traumas, we are dealing with them in our own ways, and despite these challenges, we are trying our best to stay united and face everything that lies ahead of us together.
Nowadays, we are able to provide more support to CDM civil servants still living in Myanmar. We receive letters from them, and I would like to do my best to help them in anyway I can. Myanmar communities everywhere are also doing their best to work together and pull Myanmar out of the crisis, and we only have ourselves to count on during these trying times. I would like to end this essay by expressing my sincere appreciation to those who have been supporting us mentally, physically, and financially throughout the revolution.
We will win the revolution.
“áĄáááşá¸áá˛áážáŹ”
áĄáááşá¸áá˛áážáŹ áĄááťááşá¸ááŹá¸/áĄááťáŻááşááŹá¸ (ááá)áŚá¸ áážááááşá áĄá˛áˇááŽáĄáááşá¸áá˛áážáŹ ááŽáá°áŚá¸ááąááᯠááááşá¸ááťáŻááşáá˛áˇ áĄáááşá¸áá°ááźáŽá¸áá áşááąáŹááşáážááááşá áá°ááźáŽá¸á áááąáŹááŹá¸ááąáŹááşá¸áááşá á ááşá¸áááşá¸áĄáááşá¸ááááşá¸ááźááşáá°á¸á ááŤááąáááşáˇ áá°áᏠááźááşáááąáŹááá˛áˇ áááşá¸áá˝áŹááąáᏠáážá áşááąáŤááşá¸ (áá) ááťáąáŹáşááźáŽááááŻáˇ ááśáááşááśá፠áá°áˇáĄááźáŻáĄáá°áá˝áąá ááŤáááŻáˇáááŻáá°áá˝áąáĄáá˝ááş áĄáááşá¸ááźáąáŹááşáááşáááŻáˇáááşááááşá áĽáááŹ- ááźááşááŹááśá ááşááŽááťááşá¸áá˝áąááᯠáĄááťááşááźáŽá¸áá˝ááşáˇááŹá¸ááąáŹááşáááşááŹá áá°á¸áá°á¸á áśá áááşáˇá áášááŹáááŻááşá ááąáááşááŹá¸áá˝áąáááŻáˇá áá°áˇáĄááźááŻááşáá˝áąáá˛á áá°ááźáŽá¸á ááźáąáŹááşáááŻáᲠáĄááąáŹáşáááşáá˝ááşáážáŹáááşá (áĄááşá¸….. ááźáąáŹááşáá˝áąááᯠááááşááťá áşáááşáá˛áˇ áĄá˛áˇááŽááąáŹááşáááąá¸ááᯠáááááá)
áĄáááşá¸áá˛áážáŹáĄáááşáᏠ(á) ááŻáśá¸áážááááşá áĄáááşá¸áá˛áážáŹ ááąáŤáşááŽáááşáˇááąá¸áá˛áˇ áĄáážááşááźáŽá¸áážááááşá áĄáááşá¸áá˛áážáŹ áááá˝áąáážááááşá áĄáááşá¸áá˛áážáŹ áááťáŹáá˝áąáááŻááťá áşáá˛áˇ áá°áááşáá áşááąáŹááşáážááááşá áĄá˛áˇááŽáá°áááşáᏠáá°áˇááťá áşáá°áááŻááşáá˛áˇ áááźáŹá¸áá áşááąáŹááşááᯠá á˝á˛áááşá¸ááąááááźáąáŹááşá¸ ááŤáˇáááŻáááşááśáááşá áá°áážá áşááŹááážááşááźáŹá á˝áŹ áá˝á˛áá˛áˇáá˛áˇáá°ááᯠááŹáááŻáˇáá˝á˛áá˛áˇááááŤááááşáˇáá˛áˇá ááŽáá°áááşáᏠáá°ááťá áşáá˛áˇááąáŹááşáááąá¸ááᯠ“ááááşá¸áááťááŻááąá¸” áááŻáá˛áˇ ááŹááşá áŹá¸ááŻáśá¸áááşá áĄáááşá¸áá˛áážáŹ áááŹáá˝áąáážááááşá áá°á¸áá áşáááŹáá˝áąá áá°áááşáááŹáá˝áąá áá°áááŻá¸áááŹáá˝áąá á á áşá ááşá¸/áá˛á ááşá¸áááŹáá˝áąá áĄáááşá¸áá˛áážáŹ ááśááźáąááťááşá¸áá˛áˇ ááąáŤááşáá˛áˇ áĄáááşááśááŹá¸ááá˛áˇ áĄáááŻáá áşááąáŹááşáážááááşá áá°áĄááźá áşáááşááąá¸ááśáááźááşá¸áĄááźáąáŹááşá¸áĄáááşá¸á ááŻáśá¸áá˝ááş/ ááŻáśá¸ááźááşáážáŹ ááąá¸áá˝ááşááźáŽá¸áááşáá˛áˇáááááŻáˇá áĄáááşá¸áá˛áážáŹ áááşáá°áá˛áˇááž ááąáŹááşá¸ááąáŹááşá¸áá˝ááşáá˝ááş ááąáŤááşá¸áááşá¸áááŻáˇáááá˛áˇ áá°áˇáĄááŽá¸ááťááşáá áşááąáŹááşáážááááşá áĄáááşá¸áá˛áážáŹ á áŻáśááŽáá˛áˇááŹááŹááąá¸áá˝áą áážáááąá¸áááşá áĄáááşá¸áá˛áážáŹ ááŤáááŻáˇáá áşááąáŹááşááŻáśá¸áá˛áˇ ááąá ááşáá˝áąáááŻáŚá¸á áŽá¸áá˛áˇ ááŻááşáááŻááş (á)ááąáŹááşáážááááşá áá áşááąáŹááşáá˛áˇááŤá áááşáááşááąáááşáˇ áá áşááąáŹááşáááąáŹáˇ áááşáááşá¸áááşá¸ááŤáá˛á ááŤáááşáá˛áˇáá áşááąáŹááşá ááŤáˇááąá¸áážáŹáĄáááşáááşá áá°áˇáááĄááźáąáŹááşá¸ááŻáśááźááşáá˝áąááᯠááŹá¸ááąáŹááşááá˛áˇáĄá፠ááŤáˇáážáŹááŹá¸ááąáŹááşááŻáśáááşáááşááąááááşá áĄáááşá¸áá˛áážáŹ á áŹááźááşáˇááŻááşáááŻááşáážááááşá ááŤáááŻáˇáá˛áˇááąáŹááşáááşá áŹááąá¸áá˝áąááŹáááş áĄá˛áˇááŽá áŹááźááşáˇáááŻááşáááŹá¸ááᯠááŤáááŻáˇáááąá¸ááťá˝áąá¸ááááşá ááŤááŹáĄáááŻááşáááááąá¸ááźááşá¸ááŤáá˛á ááŤáážáᏠáá áşáááşáá áşáááşááᯠáááşá ááŹá áŹáĄáŻááşáá˝áąááážáŹáááŹá¸á áĄáááşá¸áá˛áážáŹ ááąááŹááťááŻá¸á áŻáśáááŹáá˛áˇ áááŻááşááśááąá¸áĄááťááşá¸ááŹá¸áá˝áąáážááááşá áááťááŻáˇáááŹáážááşá¸áááá áááťááŻáˇáááŹáážááşá¸áááá ááŤááąáááşáˇ ááŤáááŻáˇááŹá ááşá¸ááŻáśá¸ááźáááşá áĄáááşá¸áá˛áážáŹ ááąá¸áááşá¸áááá˛áˇáá°áá˝áąáážááááşá áááşááŹááážááá˛áˇ áĄáááşá¸áĄáááşááąáŤááşáážáŹ áá°áááŻáˇáĄáááşááááşá áĄáááşá¸áá˛áážáŹ áááŽááťážáá˛áˇáĄáá˝ááşáˇáĄááąá¸áá˛áˇ áážááşáááşááąááźáá°áá˝áąáážááááşá áĄáááşá¸áá˛áážáŹ ááąáŹáášááááąáŹ ááááşá¸ááááŻááąáŹ áĄáááŻááşááťáŻááşááŹá¸áá˛áˇáá°áážááááşá áĄáááşá¸áá˛áážáŹ áááŻááşáˇááťá áşáá°áááŻááşáááşáá˛áˇááźáŽá¸ áĄááááşáážáŹáᲠáĄááááşáážáąáŹááşááśááąááá˛áˇ ááźá áşáááşáážáŻáá áşááŻáážááááşá áĄáááşá¸áá˛áážáŹ áááŻááŹáááŻááŹá ááźááşááźáŹááąá¸áá˛áˇ ááąá¸áá˛áˇááąáŹááş ááśáˇááąáŹáşáááşá¸á ááŽá¸á áá˝áŹá¸áááŻáˇá Facebooká áá°á¸áĄáááşáááşáá˛áˇáááťáŹá áá˝ážááşá¸áá˝ážááşá¸áá˛áˇ áĄááśáá˝ááşáá˝ááşá áááźááşáááşáá˛áˇáĄááźáŻáśá¸á áĄááąáˇáá°áá°ááś (ááŻáááşááś) ááťáąáŹáşáĄáąáŹááşááášááááş ááá ááŹááşááŽáááśáˇá áááşá¸á áŹá¸áŚá¸áĄááááşá áááşá¸áážáŽá¸ááąáŹááťááşáážáŹááťáŹá¸á áááąáŹááşáááźáŹááťáážáŻá ááźááşááźá˝áąáážáŻááŻáśááááşá áá˝ááşáááşááąáŹáĄáááşáááşá áĄááźáŹááąáŹááşááťáąáŹááźááşá áááźááşáĄáąá¸ááąá¸á ááźááşááźáŹááťáŹá¸(ááŽáááŻáá˛á ááąáááşá¸ááąáŹááşá ááąáŹáşááąáŹáşáĄáąáŹááş)á áĄááááááááşá¸á áĄááşá¸ááťáŹá¸áááşá Ramen ááąáŤááşáá˝á˛ ááŹáááŻááŹáážááážáááŤá áĄáááşá¸áá˛áážáŹ ááąáááŹááąá¸áážááááşá áááŻáˇááąáŹáş á áŹáĄáááşáá˛áá˝ááş ááťá˝ááşááąáŹáşáˇáááşáááşáĄáŻáśáá˝ááşááŹááąáá á
â
“áááşááťáąáŹááşá¸áááąá¸ááťáŹá¸”
(á)
ááťá˝ááşááąáŹáşáááŻáˇáážáąáˇáá˝ááşáážáááąáŹ áááŹá¸áá°ááźáŽá¸áááş áááşá¸áááá°á¸ááźááşááž á áŽá¸ááťááŹááąáŹ ááťá˝áąá¸á ááşáááŻáˇááᯠááŻááşáááşáááşá¸ á áŹá áŽá áŹáááŻááşáááşááźááşáˇ áááşáááşáááşáááŻááşááąáŹááşááąáá áĄááťááşá¸ááąáŹááşáááşá¸áĄáá˝ááşá¸á áááŹá¸áá˝ááşáááş áá°ááąáŹááşáá°ááśááąáááşá áááŹá¸ááŻáśá¸áážá ááťááşáážáŹááťááşáá˝ááş áááşááąááąáŹ áááşááŹ(á)ááŻáážáááźáŽá¸ áááşá¸áááŻáˇáĄáąáŹááşáá˝ááş á ááŹá¸áá˝áąááᯠáĄá ááşáááźááşááźáąáŹáááŻááąááąáŹ áááŹá¸ááśáᯠáĄá á˝ááşá á˝á˛ááśááá° áĄááąáŹááş (áá) áááşááááşá¸áážááşáˇ áážáąáˇááąááťáŹá¸áážáááąáááşá áá˝á˛ááťáážáąáˇááąá ááŻááşá¸ááŻáśá¸ááąáááşá ááťá˝ááşááąáŹáşáˇááąá¸áážá áŚá¸ááąá¸ááźáŽá¸á áá˝ááşá¸áááźáŻáśáˇááźáŻáśáˇááŤá¸ááąáá ááąááźáŽá¸áááş áá°áˇáĄáááşááááŻáˇáááŻááşááąáŹ ááŻááşáˇááťáŹá¸áááŻá áŹá¸ááąáááşá ááťá˝ááşááąáŹáşá ááťááşááŻáśá¸áĄá áŻáśááá° áááşáááşá¸ááťááşáážá áááşáááşáážáŻááşáážáŹá¸áážáŻááťáŹá¸ááᯠá á°á¸á ááşá¸ááąáááááşá “ááąáˇ áááááá°á¸ááąáŹáşá áĄáááşá¸ááŽá¸ááŽá¸áááşáááşááąáá˝ááşáˇááážááá°á¸” áᯠáĄáááşáááşáážááşáˇáá˛áá áşááąáŹááşáááş áá°áážá áşááąáŹááşááᯠááťááşááťááşááąáŹááşááąáŹááşáááşáˇááŹá¸áááŻááşáááşá áĄááźáąáŹááśáááŻááşáááąáŹ ááąáŹááşááąá¸áááťááşáážáŹáááş á áááşááťááşáááşááąáŤáşáá˝áŹá¸áááşá áááŻááąáŹááşááąá¸áĄááŹá¸áá˝ááş áááŻááşááąááąáŹ ááąáŹááşáááąá¸áážáŹáá° áá˝ááşáˇááŻááşáá˝ááşáˇááŻááşááźá áşáá˝áŹá¸áá ááá˝áąáˇááŹááźáŹááźáŽááźá áşáá˛áˇ ááťá áşáá°áážá áşáŚá¸á ááŻáśáá˝áąáˇááźáááąáŹáˇáááşá¸ áááŻáĄáááşááᯠáá˝ááşáááşá á˝áŹ áá˝áąáˇáááşáááŻááşáá˝ááşáˇááážáááąáŹáˇá ááťá˝ááşááąáŹáş áá°áááŻáˇáážá áşáŚá¸ááᯠááąá¸á ááŻááşááźááşáˇááąáááááşá ááąáŹááşááąá¸ááááşááąáĄááźá áş ááŹááąáŹááşáá˝ááşáááŻááąáŹ ááąáŹááşáááąá¸áááş á áąáŹá áąáŹááĄáąáŹáşááąáŤááşáá˝áŹá¸ááąáŹ áá˛ááŹá¸ááᯠáá áşááťááşáááŻá¸ááźááşáˇááťááş áá°áá (áááşáááşááž) áááşáážááŻá¸áááąá¸ááᯠááąáŹááşááąá¸ááś ááááááŹááąá¸ ááá˝áąáˇáá˝áąáˇáááŻá¸áá˝áąáˇááąá¸áááŻááşáááşá ááąáŹááşááąá¸ááááşá¸ áá°á (ááŹáááşááž) áááşáážááŻá¸áááąá¸ááᯠááąáŹááşáááąá¸á áááşáážááŻá¸áááąá¸ááśáááŻáˇ áážááşá¸á áá˝á˛ááťáááşááŹá¸áááŻááşáááşáˇááźááşáá˝ááşá¸áááş áĄááşááááşááž áááŻá¸á ááşá¸ááźáŽá¸ áážáááŤáááşá áá áşááąáŹááşááááşááťáąáŹááşá¸áááąá¸áážááşáˇ áá áşááąáŹááşááááşááťáąáŹááşá¸áááąá¸áááŻáˇ áááá˝áąáˇááąááŻáśáá˝ááş áĄááťá áşááᯠááťá˝ááşááąáŹáşááźááşááąááááşá (ááąáŹááşáááąá¸á áááşáááşáááąáŤáˇááąáŤáˇááŤá¸ááŤá¸áááŻááąáŹáşááźáŹá¸ ááąáŹááşááąá¸á ááŹáááşáá˝ááşááŹá¸ áĄááťáŻááşáĄáážáąáŹááşáá áşááŻáážááá)
(á)
áĄááťáŻááşááŹá¸ááąáŤáşááᯠáááşáááŻááşááąáŹáˇ áááŻááşá ááŹááąááŹáá áşááŻááá ááááşá¸áááąá¸áá˝áąáááŻááŹá¸áᏠááąáŹááşáááşá¸á áĄááŽá¸áá˝ááşááźá áşáááşá áĄááťááşá áááŻáᲠááťá˝ááşááąáŹáşáááşáááŻááşáááŻááşáááşá ááťá˝ááşááąáŹáşáˇááąáŹááşááž ááá ááşáááŻááşáááşááŹáááşáˇ áá°ááťáŹá¸áááąáŹáˇ áááŻááşáá˝ááşáˇááááąáŹáˇá áá°áá áşááąáŹááşá ááťá˝ááşááąáŹáşáˇáážáąáˇáážáŹ áááşáááşáááşááťááş ááąáŹááşáááşá¸áááŻááźááşáˇááąáááşá ááááşáááźáŹááŽáážáŹáááş áĄááťáŻááşááŹá¸ááźáŽá¸áááş ááźááşáˇááááşááąááąáŹ ááťá˝áąá¸ááśáˇáá˝áąááᯠáááşááąáŹááşá áá°áˇáááŽá¸ááᯠá áááşááąááąáŹáˇáááşá áááŻáĄááŤááťááž ááťá˝ááşááąáŹáşáˇ áážáąáˇá áááşáááşáááşááąáá°á ááąáŹááşáááşá¸áááŻááźááşáˇááąááźááşá¸ áĄááźáąáŹááşá¸áááşá¸ááᯠááťá˝ááşááąáŹáşáááááąáááşá ááááşá¸áááąá¸áá˝áąááŹá¸ááŹááąáŹááşáááşá¸áážááşáˇ ááťá˝ááşááąáŹáşáááŻáˇáĄáááşá¸áááŻááźáŹá¸ááŹá¸ááąáŹ ááśááśááŤá¸ááťááşáááş áááźááşá¸ááźááşá¸áážááşáˇáá˝ááşáˇáááŹáá áááşáááşáááşááąáá°áááş ááąáŹááşáááşá¸áážáá áşá áŻáśáá áşááąáŹááşááᯠá ááŹá¸ááťáŹá¸áážááşá¸ááźáąáŹááąáááşá “ááŹá¸ááźáŽá¸ áĄá˛áˇá፠áááşá¸ááąáŹááşáááąá¸ááŹá¸” áááŻáá°áááąá¸áá˝ááşáážááááşáˇ áá áşááąáŹááşá áááşáááşáááşááąáá°áááŻááąá¸áááşá áááŻáá°ááᲠááąáŤááşá¸ááááşáᏠáĄááźáąááąá¸áááşá ááťá˝ááşááąáŹáşáááşá¸ áááŻáá°áááąáŹááşáááąá¸áááŻáá°ááᯠááźááşáááąáááŹá¸áĄáá˝áąá¸áážááşáˇ ááąáˇáá˛ááźááşáˇáááá áááŻáˇááąáŹáş áááşáááşáážáŹá¸áážáŹá¸áááźááşáá áážááşááťááşááźáŹá¸ááąáááźááşáˇ áá˛áá˛áá˛áá˛ááášááŹááşááąáŹááşááŹáá˝áąáˇááááşá ááźááşáˇááąá ááşáážáŹáááş ááśáááŹáá˝ááşááťáŹá¸ááźáŹá¸ááž áááşáááşá¸ááŽáááŻá¸ááąá¸ááąá¸ááťáŹá¸ ááźááşáááŹá¸ááąáŹ áááşááťáąáŹááşá¸áááąá¸ááťáŹá¸áá˝ááşááŹáááşááᯠááťá˝ááşááąáŹáşááźááşááááşá ááááşáážááŹáá˛á ááŽáááŻáĄááŹáá˝áąááᯠááŤáááźááşáááąáŹáˇáᏠáááşááąáŹááşááąáŹááşáážááá˝áŹá¸ááźáŽáᲠááááá°á¸áááŻááźáŽá¸ áááŻááşáˇáááŻááşáááŻáá˝áąá¸ááááąáááşá áááŻá ááş áááŻááźááşáááŹá¸ááąáŹ áááşááťáąáŹááşá¸áážáážááąá¸ááťáŹá¸ááᯠááťá˝ááşááąáŹáşáˇáážáąáˇáá˝ááş áááşáááşáááşááąáá°á áážááşá¸á áááşá¸ááŻááşáááŻááşááąáááşá áĄááᯅ.. ááťá˝ááşááąáŹáşáˇ áážááŻáśá¸ááŹá¸áážáŹ áá áşá áŻáśáá áşááŻááᯠááŻáśá¸áážáŻáśá¸áá˝áŹá¸ááááᯠááśá áŹá¸áááŻááşááááşá áááŻáˇááąáŹáşáááşá¸ áááŻááźááşáá˝ááşá¸áááąá¸ááᯠááťá˝ááşááąáŹáşááźáŻáśá¸áááşáᏠááźááşáˇáážáŻáá˛áˇááŤáááşá
â
â
áĄááąáˇáĄáááşáááŻáˇáááşá¸ááťááşá¸
ááťážáąáŹáşáááşáˇááťááşáá áşááŻááᯠáááşáážáŹáááŻááş
áĄáá˝áąá¸áá˝áąá¸ááŻáśá¸ááŤáááŻáá˛áˇ áĄááąáˇáĄáááşáááŻ
ááťáąáŹáááŻááşá¸áá˝ááşáá˝áŤáá˛áˇáá˛áˇ ááŹá¸áááŻááşáá áşááąáŹááş
ááąáŹááşáááşá¸áá˝áąáážááá˛áˇ áĄáááşááŽ
ááąáŹááşááŹáá˛áˇáááşá
áŚá¸áááşááŹáá áşááŻááᯠáĄáŹááŻáśá ááŻááş
áĄááąáŤááşá¸áĄáááşá¸áá˝áąáá˛áˇáá˛
ááąá¸áá˛áˇáááşá
áĄááąáˇáĄáááşáááą ááá˝á˛áá°á¸áá˛áˇááŤ
áĄáááşáá˛áˇáĄááąá¸ááŻáśá¸áááŻáá˝áŹá¸
ááťááŻá¸áááşáá áşáááŻáˇ ááąáŹááşá¸á áŹá¸ááąá¸áááŻáˇ
ááŹáááşáá˝áąááᯠáááşá¸áá˛áˇáááşá
áá áşááąáˇááąáŹáˇ áááŻáá˛áˇ ááťážáąáŹáşáááşáˇááťááşáá˛áˇ
ááťááŹááŹáááş áááşá¸ááąáŹááşáááşá¸
áĄááąáˇáĄáááşáááŻáá˛áˇ áĄáááşáááŻ
áĄááąáˇááŹá¸ áá˝ááşá¸ááąáá˛áˇááźáŽá
-Vanzo
â
The Road Ahead is Uncertain, but I am not Giving up
May
On February 1st, 2021, the military junta staged a violent coup and forcibly took power...
Six days after the military staged the coup, U Min Ko Naing and U Win Htein went on social media and urged civil servants to oppose the coup by refusing to show up for work. They talked about how civil servants could halt all governing mechanisms by participating in peaceful protests. February 8th became the day civil servants across the nation stopped showing up at work.
When the news began circulating among the civil servants, some commented, “Our years of service would go to waste if we quit. There is no way we can join the Civil Disobedience Movement. Who will provide for us when we no longer have our jobs? We have families to take care of.” Some of my colleagues tried to convince me not to make hasty decisions after reading some posts on social media. We also could not discuss the prospect of joining CDM at work since we had a few retired majors and lieutenants working in administrative positions at the office.
I could not sleep whenever I thought about how I would support my family if I no longer had my job. While at the same time, I can feel my blood boil when I think about the political leaders unlawfully detained by the junta. I care about my country more than my job and do not want to see it sink to the bottom. I especially do not want Amay Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, whom we all love and admire, to be arrested again. She sacrificed herself and spent many years behind bars for her people and country.
Whenever I had these thoughts, I felt determined to do whatever I could to help with the revolution. It does not matter how trivial my contribution may be. It was my chance to be a part of it, and the opportunity was in my hands. I finally made up my mind and informed my parents that I had decided to join CDM. I announced my decision on Facebook, mentioned my position and department and invited my colleagues to join me. I also sent a letter to the department director explaining my decision.
I felt relieved after making the decision and proud of myself when my friends congratulated me. I decided to finally carry out my duty as a civil servant.
On February 15th, I proudly wore my uniform, carried the protest signs, and joined a demonstration with my colleagues in front of our office. During the demonstration, we spotted some of our colleagues, dressed in plain clothes, attempting to get into the office without anyone noticing. They used to be like my second family, we used to sit and have meals together, but they all looked like strangers to me at that moment.
We choked with emotion as we shouted, “Do not go to work, break free!” on the side of the road. We also witnessed the color of our logo and office signboard suddenly change from red to blue, and we were infuriated. We felt we had been bullied around, and we had no say in what was going on. The people saw us protesting and came out to support us. They gave us water and snacks and cheered for us until the deafening sound of applause filled the street. Tears began to run down my face, and I used them to give me the strength I needed to become a civil servant that stands in solidarity with the people.
The fascist terrorists started killing peaceful protesters soon after, and we witnessed similar incidents in our neighborhood. We saw the junta's security forces enter our street and fire their weapons, arrest the residents, and torture them later. I am a CDM civil servant and was afraid for my life, so I decided to move. I also avoided the soldiers entering my street during the day. I had to move from place to place, which was especially difficult for a mother with a toddler like me. I had to stop myself from breaking down and bursting into tears many times.
My daughter occasionally asked me if the soldiers were coming to arrest me when she saw military trucks. I would catch a glimpse of her looking worried, so I would go ahead and console her.
“What is the color of your father’s uniform?”
“It’s green, mom.”
“Is it the same color as the soldiers' uniform?”
“Yes. It’s the same, mom.” Her eyes would sparkle as she said.
“Then you don’t need to be afraid because your father is just like them.” She would go back to being her usual self and continue playing happily, and I could let out a sigh of relief only then.
You are correct, in case you might be wondering. My ex-husband is someone from the military who did not join CDM. If I ever get a chance one day, I would like to take a photo of my daughter when she is scared, and I would like to show it to people like him. I want to tell them how much their actions hurt and distressed her.
As time went by, it became more and more difficult for CDM civil servants to support themselves. My friends and I got an idea to start a small business to help CDM civil servants who are struggling to make ends meet, and I took the initiative to lead the group. One of my ex-colleagues had a bag-making business during that time, and she offered to help us. She gave us job opportunities and supported us with everything we needed. We took care of each other and made sure no one in our group abandoned the movement and returned to their previous jobs. We carried on with unbreakable determination to make sure CDM remained strong, and we did not look back on our decision.
On March 14th, 2022, the junta's security forces seized our shop and detained two of my colleagues, CDM civil servants. They also detained eight young men and took everyone to the interrogation center. As someone who is part of the group, I was in shock, and I was in fear for my life. I decided to leave my home and go into hiding.
My daughter looked at me with her eyes full of tears when she saw me packing in a hurry. I pretended not to notice she was standing there. I did not want my daughter to see me like this if I was going to be arrested. More importantly, I need to stay alive for her. I left my daughter that night and fled to a neighboring country with the help of a friend.
Although I faced many difficulties in my life, this was by far the worst experience I have had. I contacted my mother and informed her of my situation when I got somewhere safe, and she wept as we talked on the phone. I consoled and reassured her that I would be gone for a while. While it is true that I could only go back home after we win the revolution, my situation is nothing compared to those who are imprisoned or do not have a home to go back to. That said, I have already spent countless days crying my eyes out after thinking about home.
I arrived in Mae Sot with my friend, who was the owner of the bag-making business that supported us, and we started a group called CDM Unity. We launched a bag-making business with activists and police officers who joined CDM. It was surreal for me to work with the police officers since I used to be afraid of them. However, they are police officers who made the conscious decision to stand in solidarity with the people, and I am very proud of them for what they did. Everyone in the group is now like my second family, and we work well together.
We are trying our best during these uncertain times. We have our traumas; we are dealing with them in our ways, and despite these challenges, we are trying our best to stay united and face everything that lies ahead.
Nowadays, we can provide more support to CDM civil servants still living in Myanmar. We receive letters from them, and I would like to do my best to help them in any way I can. Myanmar communities everywhere are also doing their best to work together and pull Myanmar out of the crisis, and we only have ourselves to count on during these trying times. I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for those who have supported us mentally, physically, and financially throughout the revolution.
We will win the revolution.
About the Author
May is a civil servant who joined the Civil Disobedience Movement after the military staged the coup in February 2021. She joined a bag-making business and became a tailor to support herself. She fled to Mae Sot after the junta's security forces seized the shop she worked in and arrested her colleagues. She currently works for a bag-making business started by activists and CDM police officers in Mae Sot, and the group is called CDM Unity. May continues to support the CDM community in Myanmar with the income generated from making bags. CDM Unity products are available for purchase on their Facebook page.
ááŻááşá¸áážááşááąáŤáşá ááťáąáŹááşá¸áááşá¸áááş
áááŻááşá¸ááźááşáĄáážáśáˇá áĄááśáá˝áąááŹ
ááŽááąááşááąáŤáş ááąáŹáˇááşáá˛ááşááąá¸ááŽá ááŹá áŻáááşá
ááááŹááťá˝ááşá¸áá˛áˇááąáááşáˇ ááááŹáážááşá¸áá˛áˇáááŻáˇáşáá
áĄááśááźáŹá¸ ááŻááşáááźááşááá˛áˇ
áááŻáˇáᏠááŽáááşááŹá¸ááŻááşá¸ááźááşááąáŤáşáážáŹá
ááŻáśááźááşá¸áá˝áąáᏠááŻáśááťááşá ááŹáááąáŹááşá¸áá°á¸
áĄááąá¸ááśá áĄááśáá˝áąááᯠáĄáá˝áąá¸ááŹááşááž
ááášááŹááşááąáŹáşááŻáśáᏠáááşáááŻááşáááşá
ááąááŹáŚá¸á áᏠááŻáśáááşá¸áááşá¸ááážááá°á¸
ááźáąáážáŹáá°á¸á áᏠááŻááşáááşá¸áááşá¸ááážááá°á¸
ááťáąáŹááşá¸áážáŹáááŻááşáᲠááźáąáŹááşá¸áᏠáááŻáˇáááşááááşá
áá˝áąá¸áá˝áąá¸áážáŻáááŻáˇ áááşá¸ááąááąáŹáˇ
áá˝áąá¸áá˝áąá¸áážáŻáááŻáˇ áá˛á áąáááş
ááťááşáááşáá˝áąáážáąáŹááşáááşá¸
ááŽááś(áááşááś)áá˝áą ááĄáąáŹááşááąáŹáˇááŤáá°á¸áá˝ááşá
á áŹáááşáááşá¸áá ááŹááťááşá ááşá¸ááááŹáááŻ
áááŹááťááşá ááşá¸ááąáŹáˇááŤáá°á¸ááąá
ááŻáśá ááşá¸áááŻáˇááááşáˇáĄá፠ááŻáśááŽá¸áááŻáˇ ááźááŻáááşá
áááşá¸áááŻ
ááąáŹáşáááşáááťáŹ
â
ááášááŹáááťááşáááş ááźááşááŹáĄáááşááťááşááąáááŹá¸
áááŻá¸áááşá á˝áą áááŻá¸áá˝ááşááąáá˛áˇááŻááŹá¸ááŹ
ááááŹá¸áážáŻááᯠáĄááąá¸ááá°áá˛áˇááąáˇáá˝áąá
áááŻáˇááźááşááá˛áˇ áĄááŻááşáááŹáááŻáˇ áĄáááşáááŻ
áĄááŻááş ááŤáááŻáˇááááşáá°á¸á
áááşá¸áááŻáˇááťááŻá¸áá˛áˇ áááŻááşá¸áĄááźáŹáĄáááşáá˝áąááŹ
ááŤáááŻáˇáá°áááş áááŻááşá¸áĄááŹáááşáá˝áąá
áá˝áąá¸ááťááşáá° áá˝áąá¸áááşááá°áááşá¸
áá áşááźááşááŻáśá¸áᏠáá˝áąá¸áá˝ááşáá°áá˛áˇá
ááŽá á áşááááşá¸ááźáąááąáŤáş ááźááşááťá áşááźááşá¸áá˝áą
áĄáááşááťáąáŹáşáá˛áˇááźáŽááąá
áááŻááşá¸áááşááťááşáá˛áˇ áááŻááşá¸áááşáááşááźáąáŹááşáˇ
áááŻáˇááźááşááąáŹááş áááŻááşá¸áĄáááşáááşáááşá¸áá˝á˛
áá˝ááşáááşááąá¸ááąáŤáş áá˝ááşááźááşááźáąá¸ááąáŹáˇ
áá˝ááşááŻáááş(ááááş)ááąá¸áááŻáˇáᏠááťáąáŹáşááźááŻááşá
ááąááááşááŻááşáááŻáˇ
áĄááąáˇáá˝ážáąááŹá¸áááşáááşá¸ ááŻááşááźáŽá
ááŻááşááąá¸áá˝ááşáá˝áą
áááŻááşááźáąá¸áááşááŻáśáĄáááŻááşá¸áááŻ
ááášááŹáááťááşáááş
ááźááşáᏠáĄáááşááťááşááááşáˇáááşáááşáááşá
áááşá¸áááŻ
ááąáŹáşáááşáááťáŹ
â
áážáąáˇáááşáááşáˇáááşá¸
áááşá¸ááťááť
áážáááŹáááąáŹáˇáááşáˇ
ááśáááşáááşá¸áĄááž
ááźááşááááŻáˇ ááąáŹááşá ááşáá˝áąá¸
áá˝áąá¸ááťážáąáŹáşáááŻáˇááąáááŻááş
áᲠáááŻááş áážáąáŹááş á áŻááşááťááş
áááşáááşá ááşá ááş
áĄáá˝ááşááťáááşáá˝ááşá¸
áá°áááŻáˇ ……
áá°áááŻáˇ ááťááşááŽá¸áá˛áˇááźááąáŤáˇ
á ……
ááąá áŹá¸ááźááşá¸ááśáááŻááşááá˛áˇá
áĄáážáąáŹááşáááŻááşá
áááŻááşááŹááťáá˝ážááşá¸ááŻáśá¸
áážáŻááşááťááťáááşá¸ááąá¸ááąáŹááş
ááŤá¸ ááąáˇ ááą áá˛
áá áşá …….áá áşá
áááşáĄáááşáááşáˇááśáááŻáˇ
ááąáŹááşá áąáááŻáˇáááŻáˇáá˛áˇ
áĄá˛áˇááŽááá˝áą ……
“ááŻáś” “ááŻáś” “ááŻáś”
“ááąáŤááş” “ááąáŤááş” “ááąáŤááş”
áááşááśááźáąáŹááş áááŻááşááťááş
ááááşááś ááźááşááśáááşášááŹáá˝á˛áˇ
áážá áşááŹáᎠááááŻáˇáá˛áˇ
áĄá˛áˇááŤ
áááŻááşáá˝á˛ááąáŤáşááś áĄá ááąáŤáˇ ……
ááŻáśá¸ááťáąáŹááşá¸ááąáŹááş
áááşáá˝áąááźáąáŹááş
áááŻááşááąáŹááş áááťáąáŹááşáá˛
áá˛áá˛áážáąáˇáááş áááŻááşáá˝á˛áááş
ááááŻááşá¸áááşá á˝á˛áážáŹ
áááşááťááşáá˛áˇáážáŹááąáŤáˇ ……
ááŤáááŻáˇ ……
ááŤáááŻáˇáá°áááşááťááşá¸áá˝áąáá˛áˇ
áá˛áá˛ááąáŹááşáá˝ááşáˇáááťááş
“ááťá˝ááşááąáŹáşáááŻáˇá áá°áááşáá˝áąááŤ
áá°áááşáá˝áąáážáŹ áĄááŹáááşáážááááş” áá˛áˇ
áááşáážááşáˇáĄááťáž ááśá áŹá¸ááááąáŤáˇ ……
ááŤáááŻáˇ ……
ááŤáááŻáˇáá°áááşááťááşá¸áá˝áąáá˛áˇ
áá˝áąá¸ááźá˝áąá¸áááŻááąá¸áááşáááşáˇ
ááťááŻá¸áááşáá áş
ááźááşáá°á á áşáá˝áąáááŻáˇ
áááá áĄáážááááŹá¸ ááŻááşáááŻááşááŹá¸ááźáŽá¸
á፠ááźááşá¸áááşáˇáááŽá¸
áááşá¸áááşáˇáááŽá¸áááŻáá
áá˝áąá¸ááąáŹááşáááşá¸ááŻááş
ááťážáąáŹááşáá˛áˇáááş
ááąá¸áááşáážáŻááťáŹá¸á á˝áŹáá˛áˇááąáŤáˇ ……
ááŤáááŻáˇáá˛áˇ
áá˝áąá¸ ….. áĄáááş ……
áĄááŹáááşáĄáá˝ááşá ááąá¸
“áá˝áąá¸áá ášá Ꮤ ááśá ááşáááąá¸áá˛áˇ
á á˝á˛áááşá áąáááşáˇ ááŻáśááááşáá˝áą ……
ááááŻááşá¸á áŹááťááşáážáŹáĄá á áş
ááąá¸áááşáážáŻáĄáá áşáá˝áą
ááąáŹááşááťá°á¸ááŹá¸ááťááşááąáŤáˇ ……
áááŻááşáááŻááşáá˝áąá¸áĄááźááş
áááŻááşáááŻááşááąá¸ááźáŽá¸
ááźááşááá˛áˇ ááŻáśááááşá á áş
ááŽááťá°á¸áá˛áˇ ááśá ááş
áĄáŹá¸áĄááşáĄááźááşáˇáá˛áˇááąáŤáˇ …..
ááąáŹááşáá˛áˇáá˛áˇáááşá¸áĄáááş
áĄáááşá¸áá áşáááşáˇ
ááááşááźááşááŽáááŻáˇ
áááşáááşááťážáąáŹááşáážááşá¸ááťááş ……á
â
ááŻáśáá˝áŹ
--------
ááŻáśáá˝áŹ áááŻáᏠááááşááąáŹáˇ
áĄááŹááźáąá áĄááŹááŹááŻáśá¸ááźááŻáˇááąá¸ááŤ
áĄááŹááźáąáááŻááźáŽá¸ áĄáááşáááąá¸áááŻááşáá˛áˇ
ááŻáśáá˝áŹáá˛áˇ áááşá¸ááąá¸áá˛ááŹáážáŹ
áááŹáááşáá˝áąá áŽáááşá¸
áááŽá¸áá˝áŹá¸áááşá¸ áá˝áąáááşáĄáąá¸áááŹááąáŤáˇ
áááŤáááś áá˝áŹááąá¸ áááŻááźááŽá¸
ááášáááąá¸ áááŻáˇ áááşááŻááşáááŻáˇááᯠáĄá áşáááŻááźáŽá¸áá˝áąá
ááťáŽá ááşááźááąá¸ááááŻáˇ
ááŹááŽá ááşááźáŽá¸áááźááşááźáąáŹáááŻááşáááş
ááŽáááşá¸ááťá˝ááşáááş ááŹááźááşáˇáááŻáˇ
ááŹáááśáá˛áˇááąáŤáˇá á
ááŻáśáá˝áŹáá° ááŻáśáá˝áŹááŹá¸
áĄááŹá¸ááááŻáááŻáááŻ
á áťáąá¸ááąáŹááşá¸á áťáąá¸áááş áĽáŽá¸ááááŻáá˛áˇ
áááŻááşáˇáááááŻááşááťáąáááşááąááŻáśá
ááŻááşáážááşáááşá¸ááŹá¸ááźáŽá¸áá˝áąáážáŻáśá¸áááąáŹááşááŤááąáˇ
á ááŻááşááŹá ááŻááŹá¸áá˛
áááŻááťážáśááŹá áážááşá¸ ááźáąáá˛
ááťááşá¸áá˝ááşá¸ááźá áşáᲠáááŤáááś
ááŤá¸áááşá¸áááşá¸ááąá¸ááááŻáˇ
áááşá áŻáśááąáŹáşáá˛áˇ ááźááŻáˇááŻáśáá˝áŹ
áááŹááąá¸ááźááşáˇáĽáŽá¸áááŹá¸
The Whole Burma Top áá˝áą ááá˝áŹá¸áá˝áŹá¸
áááşáážáŻáááŻáááşá¸áá°ááá°
ááťáąáŹááşááŹááá˝ááşá¸áááş
ááŻááśááąáŹááş áááşáááşááááşááąá áâ
áááŻááşááśááąá¸áááŻáááşá¸ááááşááŻáśá¸á
áĄáąáŹááşáááşá¸ááźáąá¸ááŻááşáááŻááźááşáˇááŹá¸ ááŤááŻáśáá˝áŹáá˛
áá(áááá)ááŻááşá¸á
áááşá¸áá áşááťáąáŹááşááŻáśá¸áááąáŹááşá¸áááŻááşáá˝ááşá¸
ááŽá¸áááşá¸áá˛áˇáá˛áˇááźááŻáˇ
''ááŻáśáá˝áŹááá˝ááşáááášááŹáááş''áááŻáˇ áá°ááŻááąáŤááşá¸ááąáŹááşááťáŽá¸áá˝ááşá¸áá˛áˇáá˛áˇááźááŻáˇ
áá˝áąáĽáŽá¸áážáŹáááşá¸ááźááşáˇááŹá¸
ááŻáśáá˝áŹáááşá¸ áááşááážáąá¸
áĄáŹááŹáážááşááźáąá¸áááŻáˇáĄááąá¸ ááąáŤááşá¸áá˝áąá¸ááŽááťáŽáááş
áĄáŹá¸ááŻáśá¸áᏠ''ááąáááŻá¸áááŻááş''ááŤáá˛á
áĄááśáááááş áĄááśáááááşáááŻáˇ
áááážáááşááś ááŻááŹá¸ááŽáááşá¸áážáŹ
ááźá˝áąááźáá˛áˇáá˛áˇ áĄáá˝ážáŹááąáŤááşá¸á áŻáśááááşá¸ááťááŻá¸á áááşáá˝áą.....
áááşáá˛áážáŹ ááášáᏠáááźáąáá°á¸
áá˝áąáĽáŽá¸áá˛áˇááąáá°á¸ááᯠáĄáŹááŹáááşáááşá¸áážáŹáĄááşááŻááźáááş
áááşáĽáŽá¸áĄááśááąáˇáááŻááşá¸áá°
áĄáąáŹááşáá°ááŹáááŻááşááááşá
ááŻáśáá˝áŹáĄááźáąáŹááşá¸
ááŻáśáá˝áŹááá°áá˝áąáá˛ááąáŹááşá¸ááąáŹááşá¸áááááş
ááťáŽáááşááź áážáąáˇááąáŹááşááźááź
ááŽá¸ááŻááşáááŻáážááŻáˇááź áá˛áááşáˇáážáŻááᯠááźá ...á á
ááźáąáŹáááŻáśá¸ááąáŤááş ááąáŹááŻáśá¸ááąáŹááşáááŻáˇ
ááŻáśáá˝áŹááášáá áááŻááşááśáááşá¸áááááş
ááášáᏠáááşá¸áááááş
ááŤáááŻáˇáááşá¸áááááş áá°áááŻáˇáááşá¸áááááş
ááŻáśáá˝áŹáĄááźáąáŹááşá¸ ááŻáśáá˝áŹáááááşá á
Myat Minn Treasure-ááźááşáá˝áąáĽáŽá¸
ááŻáśáá˝áŹáááşááááááşá á áşááźáąáŹááşá¸áá˛ááąáŹáşááťáŹá¸áážááşáˇááťááŻáśá¸áá˝áŹá¸ááąáŹááŻáśáá˝áŹáá°áá˛ááąáŹááşá¸ááťáŹá¸áĄáŹá¸áĄááąá¸ááźáŻááŻááşááźáŻááťááşá

