Karenni people fled Burmese civil war. After
several years of staying in Thai refugee camp, many chose to resettle in the
United States, including Australia, Finland, New Zealand and so on. However,
arrival in the United States, “the land of opportunity,” does not always
translate into peace, stability, and security, at least for the moment.
As a saying goes “out of desperation comes an
opportunity,” a few Karenni volunteers found an opportunity to build solidarity
while searching for ways to help each other in times of great needs.
On January 1st, 2011, at least 30
representatives from Dallas, Austin, Amarillo, Houston, San Antonio, and Fort
Worth met for the first time in Houston for a two-day statewide conference,
resulting in the formation of DEEKU, also known as Karenni Community of Texas, with
some solid goals mentioned below.
Karenni people firmly believe that DEEKU plays
a major role in bringing people together, preserving Karenni identities, and
helping each other. Thus, there are two main goals: First, helping Karenni
families living in Texas and Karenni State; Second, preserving, promoting and
building Karenni identities.
Therefore, the publication of this very book, of which you are reading, is a privilege for the DEEKU organization to have done as it preserves and promotes the Karenni identity.
Therefore, the publication of this very book, of which you are reading, is a privilege for the DEEKU organization to have done as it preserves and promotes the Karenni identity.
The organization would not have been where it
is today as the biggest Karenni organization ever to exist in the state of
Texas, without the leadership of the founders who are Lu Kayahphu, Nic Shar,
and Oo Sor.