Building Skills, Preserving Hope: Peoples’ Goal September Highlights
September 2025 has been another month of resilience and creativity for Peoples’ Goal (PG). From traditional weaving in Mae Sot to technical repair training in Mae Sot and sewing workshops in Aizawl, PG’s efforts continue to nurture self-reliance, solidarity, and dignity among CDM members, activists, and displaced families.
Weaving Heritage, Weaving Futures
In Mae Sot, women from CDM families and political activists began a 16-week Karen traditional Jap Khuat weaving course. Guided by two trainers, participants are learning fabric weaving, design, and embroidery. The training is not just about crafts — it is about preserving cultural heritage, strengthening women’s roles in the movement, and creating new livelihood opportunities in the midst of displacement.
Skills for Survival: Repair Training Graduation
On September 2, PG celebrated the graduation of its first Home Appliance Repair Training in Mae Sot. Eleven defectors, CDMers and activists attended the six-week course, with nine successfully completing it. They learned how to repair motors, washing machines, and electrical appliances - essential skills that can quickly translate into income and self-reliance in displaced communities.
Sewing New Beginnings in Mizoram
On September 22, PG launched its first Basic Sewing Training in Aizawl, Mizoram. Ten CDM family members and displaced women joined the 8-week program, which combines classroom teaching with hands-on practice in sewing, embroidery, and crochet. For women who fled conflict, the course provides stability, dignity, and a path toward supporting their families in exile.
Humanity in Practice: IHL Training at the Border
Together with Principles of Humanity (PoH), PG organized a two-day International Humanitarian Law (IHL) training along the Thai–Myanmar border. Thirty-five participants - CDM soldiers, PDF veterans, activists, and their families - explored battlefield ethics, the protection of civilians, and humanitarian law obligations. For PG, this is more than a workshop; it is a step toward building a movement grounded in responsibility, accountability, and international legitimacy.
From Content to Career
In September, PG invited applications for its new “From Content to Career” Video Content Creation Training Program. Designed for CDMers and activists, this month-long training aims to teach participants how to film, edit, and monetize videos across YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok. With guidance from Padetha Channel, the program offers more than just technical skills — it opens a pathway for young revolutionaries to share their stories, build digital careers, and sustain themselves in the struggle.
Standing with Defectors on the Frontline
PG extended direct support to 13 CDM soldiers serving as PDF members in the Southern front, providing stipends amounting to 910,000 MMK. This assistance helps cover basic needs while they remain on the frontlines. Beyond the material aid, PG’s support is a sign of solidarity - a reminder that those who risked their lives to defect from the military are not forgotten.
Brave Stories that Inspire
This month’s Brave Story featured Sergeant Tun Han, one of the first Air Force defectors to join CDM. He shared his reasons for defection, the hardships of leaving the military, the trauma of resistance, and his unwavering determination to support the people’s movement. His journey is a testimony of courage and sacrifice that inspires others to endure.
📺 Watch here: https://youtu.be/6uzVry7vbUg?si=oJPjJR_cTVWocTHg
Looking Forward
For Peoples’ Goal, September was a month of weaving skills, rebuilding confidence, and keeping solidarity alive. From repairing appliances and sewing clothes to weaving traditions and telling stories, PG’s work continues to equip people not only to survive but also to preserve hope and dignity in the face of adversity.