By Fr. Kurt Zion Pala, SSC

It has been two years since we last hosted the Student Leadership Camp, and much have changed since then. While most parts of the world have already recovered from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Myanmar (formerly Burma), sadly, has not.

While the world is slowly recovering, Myanmar is yet facing another crisis – a deadly war between one of the world’s most vicious military regimes and the people of Myanmar, led by courageous young citizens, and various armed ethnic groups. On the second day of the camp, we started to hear the sound of bomb shelling as we prepared for the outdoor team-building games. The set-up resembled a military-style training camp. The participants had to crawl under some ropes tied across each other. Then, the teams had to bring each member into a circle. After that, each member carried water to fill up a big bottle. Then, the two teams had to compete in the tug-of-war game.

One volunteer remarked, “Wajau (Father), this is like the training I went through just early this year.” I was curious and asked about the training. He mentioned that in the town where he lives, most young men enlisted to join the training of the KIA (Kachin Independent Army). “Were you scared?” I asked him. He answered, “I am no longer afraid to die, Wajau.”

Many young men and women volunteer and enlist in armed ethnic groups like the KIA. Others, however, choose to serve in different ways. Several of the students I used to work with in the Catholic Student Action Myitkyina (CSAM) movement are now working in church-based organisations or non-government organisations. At the same time,  a growing number of young people, especially young men, are fleeing because of the new conscription law that requires all young men between the ages of 18 and 35 to serve in the Burmese military.

After preparing the grounds for the outdoor team-building activities, we returned to the main hall to listen to the lectures given by one of the newly ordained priests in the diocese. The whole camp is designed to help young people discover who they are – personally, as Catholics, and as members of the Catholic Student Action Myitkyina (CSAM) movement.

From the first camp we hosted to this recent one, we have covered a wide range of topics, including Leadership and Communication Skills, Baptism and Eucharist, Catholic Social Teachings, See-Judge-Act Review of Life Method, and Laudato Si’.

For the Catholic Social Teachings, I invited Chris – one of the original members of the movement -who had recently undergone two months of military training. He has been journeying with us in the Student Leadership Camps, first as a participant, and now as one of the speakers. I was very proud listening to and watching him as he interacted with the new group of students.

This year, we invited students between the ages of 15 and 18 still attending “government schools”. Because of the conscription law, many young people over 18 have left Myanmar or are not active in parish activities. This age group is also often left out of parish activities. They do not join the Holy Childhood movement because they feel they are too old for it, but they are too shy to join the older youth group in their parish as well.

After the intense team-building activities, the participants shared a meal they had prepared together. In the evening, they were introduced to the concept of servant leaders, where every one took part in the washing of the feet. Many were deeply touched by the exercise.

The following day the participants learned about the history of CSAM, its vision, mission, and activities. They also selected a new set of leaders for the Catholic Student Action Myitkyina Juniors. That night, we concluded the camp with a talent show showcasing the participants’ and volunteers’ talents in singing, dancing, and drama.

This year’s Student Leadership Camp gathered about 36 students, ten volunteers, and seven resource speakers at the CLAY Centre, Palana, Myitkyina, Kachin State in Myanmar. In the future, with a new set of officers and members, we hope to gather more students from government schools and start school-based groups of CSAM Juniors.

The day after the end of the camp, the new set of CSAM Juniors leaders met and decided to conduct a fundraising campaign called “Option for the Poor” to help provide basic needs like cooking oil, potatoes, onions, garlic and rice plus clothes for families displaced by the ongoing war.

Below is a short reflection from Chris, a CSAM alumnus who served as both a volunteer and speaker during the camp.

“Before I joined the Catholic Student Action Myitkyina (CSAM) movement, I was just a simple, ordinary teenager and university student. I spent my time doing nothing useful and had no interest in society, community, church, or other people. I was only interested in the progress of my studies and lived like a blind man. I did not have confidence. I was afraid to speak to others. Even if I wanted to participate, I didn’t know where to go, and there was no one to guide me. When I became an active member of CSAM, my attitude completely changed, and I was reminded that I needed to change my lifestyle. By participating in CSAM programmes and activities, I gained a lot of experience and knowledge. I was one of the first to attend the Student Leadership Camp, which I will treasure for life.

In the leadership camp, I have learned many useful skills like leadership, team building, public speaking and facilitation, and Catholic Social Teachings. The team-building activities were my favourite. After I attended the leadership camp, I learned how to participate in my community and how to live out Catholic Social Teachings. I also learned that we need to care for our common home and act now.

Through CSAM, I got to make more friends, which helped me build a strong network. Now I can also speak bravely in public, and I feel more confident about myself. I have team spirit and can work well with others. As a result of participating in CSAM, I have become a youth leader in my parish in Mogaung. If I had not participated in CSAM, I would not be brave enough to be a youth leader. I believe that. The experiences and knowledge I gained from CSAM continue to influence my leadership style and my life. Now I can share that knowledge and those skills with my younger friends.”