Columban Fr Kurt Zion Pala (back row) with the participants from the Student Leadership Camp. - Photo: Kurt Zion Pala
Just in time for the celebration of Laudato Si' Week, the annual Student Leadership Camp for new members of the Catholic Student Action Myitkyina Juniors was conducted from May 24 – 28, 2025 at the Centre for Learning Alternatives for Youth, Pa La Na, Myitkyina, Kachin State. A total of 27 participants aged 14 to 18 joined.
The war has taken the joy of childhood from many children in Myanmar. In some places, they have to run to dugout bomb shelters every time the air raids come. Many schools and monasteries have been bombed recently. Besides the war, many children and young people face the impacts of the climate crisis, such as flooding. In July 2024, the biggest flood in twenty years destroyed many parts of Kachin State. Our centre had to move all our things and the generator to higher ground to prevent the floodwaters from destroying them.
As the ongoing conflict has increased mining activities in the State, destroying much of the remaining forest areas and mountains of Kachin land, we decided to tweak the camp to include environmental awareness. People are becoming more aware of the unwelcome consequences of some human activities.
Besides Catholic Social Teachings, the See Judge Act Method and Leadership kills, we also introduced the participants to Laudato Si', biodiversity and practical solid waste management. The Student Environmental Leadership Camp is designed to form future leaders of the Catholic Student Action Myitkyina (CSAM). The Camp has three focuses: Community, Environment and Leadership.
Participants from the previous year's camp also joined as volunteers and even presenters. Philip Zau Mai Du, who was elected the president of the Catholic Students Action Myitkyina Juniors committee, presented to peers at the Catholic Social Teachings, together with Helen Ban Li. Both Philip and Helen are also students of the Positive Youth Development certificate program of the Student Learning Resources Centre. Peter just completed the nine-month Positive Youth Development certificate program of the Student Learning Resources Centre, where he is now doing an internship in administration.
Philip introduced himself as a student from Myanmar who was always eager to learn new things. He explained his philosophy thus: “I believe that even small actions can make a big difference and I want to use my knowledge and energy to do something good for my community and my country. I want to tell the world that every young person deserves peace, hope and opportunity. Even though we face many struggles, we still have dreams and the power to make a difference. Please listen to the voices of young people from countries like Myanmar. Support us, stand with us and help build a future where all young people can live in dignity, freedom and love.”
The camp also included team-building games, which the participants enjoyed a lot and a cooking showdown allowed the participants to show off their cooking skills. They also prayed the Ecological Prayer, which allowed them to incorporate environmental concerns while praying the rosary.
The team-building activities were designed to allow the participants to get to know each other, to have fun and build camaraderie. I overheard one young person say, "That was the first time in a long time that I felt like a child again and had fun!"
A teacher from the Young Christian Men's Association (YMCA), Myitkyina, introduced Human Theatre to the participants. A script was prepared because of the lack of time and the participants had to enact the prepared script. Human Theatre is a tool to educate communities about certain issues through drama. It is interactive and creative. Through the drama, we could admire the acting skills of the participants. The drama was later presented to the public at the close of the camp.
On the last night, the participants showed off other talents such as singing and dancing. The talent show lasted for almost three hours, with still more participants and volunteers wanting to show what they could do.
The five days and four nights provided these youth with some respite from the uncertainties of life that they face every day. Many of them, especially the boys who are turning 18, will also have to face the reality of the conscription law, which requires all men aged 18–35 to serve in the military.
Most participants found the camp topics relevant and useful, mentioning that the camp had inspired them to act on environmental or community issues.
Columban Fr Kurt Zion Pala lives and works in Myanmar.
Listen to "Becoming children again"
Related links
- Read more from The Far East - March/April 2026
