You can read about some of my own students here. They're doing some great work here; research, community development, and journalism. But for the most part they have to learn as they go. Right now, the best chance they have for furthering their knowledge is through independent study. When the time comes, these guys, and others like them, will be on the front lines of rebuilding their nation - an education is not only something they deserve in its own right, but it is essential to the success of their cause and their nation.
Books for Burma allows people to help their cause by donating new and used books. This is how it works: we keep a wish list over at Amazon.com, and anyone who wishes to help can either A) purchase a new or used copy through Amazon and have it shipped here, or B) send over their own used copy of book, either one from the wish list, one on a similar topic, or one they'd think would be useful. When you send a book, you just send us an email letting us know to expect it. The wish list will also be kept here at Burma Underground (see below).
Where will the books go? In the first place, they'll come here to us. There are at least seven guys operating out of this particular house, working for various organizations - three of them attend an informal course taught by myself, where we're learning about anthropology, development and research techniques. Our wish list is currently geared towards this course, and the one here includes both titles, as well as topical areas my students have expressed an interest in. Any copies we don't need here will be passed on to individuals doing similar work elsewhere. There's a strong network of ethnic activist organizations around Chiang Mai, full of young people wanting to learn, so it's guaranteed the books will be put to good use.
The Wish List
Topics of Interest
- Indigenous Issues: cultures, land-use rights, political issues relating to indigenous peoples, etc.
- The Environment: social impacts of environmental degradation such as logging, mining, hydroelectric dams; community forestry.
- Education: Informal education, grass-roots/community development
- Human Rights: Human rights issues outside Burma, social activism, human rights education/documentation
- Social Impact Assessment: practical methodology and theory.
- Practical Research Methodology: Participatory research, writing skills, etc.
Book Titles and Authors
- Paolo Freire: Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Pedagogy of Hope, Pedagogy of Freedom, Education for Critical Conscienceness
- Robert Chambers: Enacting Participatory Development: Theatre-based techniques, Participatory Workshops: A Sourcebook of 21 Sets of Ideas and Activities
- Teaching to Transgress: Education As the Practice of Freedom by Bell Hooks
- Social and Cultural Anthropology: A Very Short Introduction by John Monaghan
- Conformity and Conflict: Readings in Cultural Anthropology (11th Edition) by James Spradley
- Understanding Culture: An Introduction to Anthropological Theory by Philip Carl Salzman
- Power and Participatory Development: Theory and Practice by Susan Wright
- Methods for Community Participation: A Complete Guide for Practictioners by Somesh Kumar
- The Origins of Indigenism: Human Rights and the Politics of Identity by Ronald Niezen
- Indigenous Movements, Self-Representation, and the State in Latin America by Kay B. Warren
- Dangerous Harvest: Drug Plants and the Transformation of Indigenous Landscapes by Michael K. Steinberg
- Human Rights, Culture and Context: Anthropological Perspectives (Anthropology, Culture and Society) by Richard A. Wilson
- Universal Human Rights in Theory and Practice by Jack Donnelly
- A Global History of Indigenous Peoples: Struggle and Survival by Ken S. Coates
- Rivers for Life: Managing Water for People and Nature by Sandra Postel
- Conservation and Globalization: A Study of National Parks and Indigenous Communities from East Africa to South Dakota by Jim Igoe
- The Myth of Community: Gender Issues in Participatory Development by Irene Guijt
- Democracy and Education by John Dewey
Guidelines
Books should be in English only. If you have a copy of something in Burmese, it will probably get used, but English is preferred. Books which might be used for a first or second year university course would be ideal - something 'introductory' in style. Case studies or compilations of essays are particularly good. They'll be read by speakers of English as a second or third language, so books full of dense and obscure language may not be so useful.
As for postage, you should be able to get a 'book rate' for shipping. It's okay if it takes 4 weeks to get here, so don't pay extra for express shipping, registration or insurance is up to you. The customs label should be marked as 'gift'. It is probably a good idea to make sure it's wrapped in plastic, as well. It can get rainy in these parts, and the postmen aren't always as careful as one would hope. Send us an email whenever you've sent a book - and we'll send you a thanks to let you know when we receive it!
Books should be sent to the following address:
(Soon to be updated)