- Lay Kler, thirty years old,
has been in the KNLA for seventeen years. He has M-79 fragments in his side, shoulder
and face from the large battle known as Sleeping Dog Hill.
- Htoo Wah fled from his village many times, both during the day and night. When
the SPDC came, they questioned the villagers about the KNLA. If they did not like
the answers that they received, the villagers were beaten and in some cases killed.
Htoo Wahs brother, also in the KNLA, was killed in action. Htoo Wah has
had eight children, but four of them have died. His wife is ill.
- As a young boy Kyaw Di was carried away by his mother when the SPDC came and
burned their house. His pregnant cousin was killed because the SPDC thought that
her husband was in the KNLA (but he was not!).
- Wah Po had to flee when his village was bombed.
- Steel, who would not agree to have his photo used in this exhibit,
fled from his village many times. One time the SPDC asked his mother about the
whereabouts of local KNLA, but she did not know where they were. Later, the SPDC
had a firefight with the KNLA nearby. After this, they came back and killed her.
Steel has been shot twice, in the nose and leg. He has been in the KNLA sixteen
years, from age nine, since the death of his mother.
- Ler Baw has been shot in the leg. His father-in-law was hanged by the SPDC.
He has been in the KNLA since he was a small boy, although when young he was not
allowed to go to the front. He joined after his mother died of disease. His father
had gone to the border, and he followed a trader to find him. On the way he met
the KNLA, and stayed with them.
- Saw Gay was caught by the SPDC and forced to work as a porter. He escaped after
only three days. He has been wounded twice. The second time, an 82mm mortar exploded
beside him and he nearly died. He has a wife and six children (two girls and four
boys).
- When the SPDC came to Nay Wahs house at night, the family only knew it
when their dog barked. They had only a few seconds to flee. The house was burned
and all their possessions were stolen.
- When Mee Htoo was a small boy, his mother would put a cloth in his mouth when
the SPDC came so they wouldnt hear him cry. The family would have to hide
in the forest each time for more than a week. An uncle in the KNLA was killed
in action. His father, who was in the KNLA for two years, left the group to return
to their village. The SPDC captured, beat and tortured him - by putting boiling
water in his mouth. The family paid a ransom for his release, and he is still
alive.