International Justice Mission leaders said they believe fewer Pepperdine students will “keep ignoring Burma” after their weeklong campaign of prayer and education. Tonight more than 100 students will conclude 24-hours of prayer and fasting for the Burmese people with a feast in the Waves Café at 6 p.m.
“I think I’ll make it said freshman Beverly Cawyer, who is participating in the fast. I stuffed my face right before 6:00 … it is worth it though to spend time thinking about what’s going on there.”
Burma Week is a collaborative effort of IJM President Allison Moomey a senior and Project Burma led by junior Rachel Ryon.
“I think by the end of the week it will be hard to find a student on campus who doesn’t know at least that something is wrong in Burma said Ryon.
Since Wednesday at 6 p.m. student prayer has continued ’round-the-clock, which participants say is a meaningful experience.
I think that sometimes we get so caught up in our own mundane routine that we forget to pray and center our thoughts said freshman Clay Karels.
IJM members said they have achieved their goal of sparking dialogue about Burma on campus. ?
We’ve had great conversations with people said University Ministries intern and 2008 Pepperdine graduate Jesse Martansen. Its piquing people’s interest as they hear about it for the first time.”
Advertising across campus seems to be paying off. Ryon said several students who were inspired by Burma Week have approached her about working beyond this week’s events.
“The response we’re getting is phenomenal and the dedication of all the people involved was key to that Karels said.
The conflict in Burma has personal significance to Moomey and Ryon, who both spent a semester in Thailand, where they visited a Burmese refugee camp. They attempted to convey the faces of Burma” during the kick-off convocation Monday evening by adding a human dimension to the statistics of injustice.
“These are real people real names real families real oppression said Ryon during her convocation presentation. ?
Some students said the convocation was eye opening. ?
I had no idea about [the conflict in Burma] before said freshman Jordan Fraley. I definitely know more now about what’s happening in Burma.”
Ryon and Moomey said they are thrilled with the large turnout at the week’s events particularly at Monday night’s standing-room-only convocation.
“I was blown away by how many people were here and how many people were here early said Moomey, who also noted that IJM had to turn away approximately 40 students.
Students said they are grateful to IJM for directing Pepperdine’s attention to Burma.
It’s crazy that something like this has been going on for 50 years and most people don’t know anything about it said junior Andy Smith.
While attending Pepperdine’s Thailand program in the spring of 2008, Smith spoke to Burmese people about the injustices they face. He said he commends IJM for educating students about Burma and hopes Pepperdine will be a force for change, though he admits there is little students can do from Malibu.
Just knowing about it is important for all of us but some will find a way to do something about it Smith said. ?On Wednesday, complementing the start of the fast, IJM hosted a convocation that consisted of a panel of five experts on the Burmese conflict in Stauffer Chapel.
Malibu Presbyterian Church, which is working alongside IJM during Burma Week, hosted UM Cares on Tuesday night. IJM has a table set up in the Waves Cafe until Friday, where students can purchase T-shirts and find more information.
Project Burma meets on Thursdays at 10 a.m. at the Coffee Bean. IJM meets Mondays at 9 p.m. in the HAWC. Moomey and Ryon encourage all students who want to continue helping Burma to attend the meetings.