Meadowlark Voices

General information

After independence from Britain in 1948, many Burmese minority ethnic groups protested and rebelled against the formation of a unified Burmese state, largely in fear of losing their identity and autonomy. In response, the Burmese state started to attack minority groups. Under successive military juntas, Myanmar has suppressed ethnic minority groups and continued a policy of ‘Burmanization’ i.e. the promotion of a single religion (Buddhism), language (Burmese) and culture (Burman). Human rights violations against ethnic minorities, such as torture, physical and sexual violence, forced labor, murder and land confiscation are still widespread. Fleeing these persecutions, thousands have sought refuge in supposedly temporary camps. See www.freeburmarangers.org for more info.

Clarice Swanson traveled to Thailand and Burma from Nov. 2015 through Jan. 2016 to witness first hand the important humanitarian work in Burma of the Free Burma Rangers. This life changing trip has led me to want to serve the work of the Good Life Club, the Free Burma Rangers, their parent organization, newly formed called Free the Oppressed, and to form my own NGO, Meadowlark Voices. Since I am a musician by trade and not a doctor, my focus is to empower "special people, in unique places with specific needs" especially in the areas of education, music and the arts.