Wide Awake Productions

Some footage from out time in Myanmar's Kachin state was used in this insightful documentary on Jade mining in Hpakant, Kachin state. Well done to Ali and co
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/tv/tvshows/undercoverasia-s3/blood-jade/2669972.html

Blood Jade Jade mining in Myanmar is a multibillion-dollar industry shrouded in secrecy and corruption and controlled by some of the most notorious figures from the military past. Jade and the Junta digs deep into the world of desperation and death that surrounds the race for one of world's most valuable gems.

Today our newsfeed is populated with posts from a vast array of beautiful and inspiring people we had the pleasure of spending time with during almost two and half years I spent in Myanmar.

Changing the status quo and taking power from those who have it isn't going to be easy, but I hope todays historic election at least sends a strong message from the people of Myanmar that they want to see something different.

Many of you have worked tirelessly and regardless of the outcome today will continue working tirelessly for justice, human rights, equality, peace and a nation free from tyranny. To you I take my hat off.

Peace to all Myanmar

Yesterday on the third anniversary of the Kachin war Fortify Rights released this reporthttp://www.fortifyrights.org/downloads/Fortify%20Rights_Myanmar_9_June_2014.pdf , about ongoing human rights violations in Kachin

www.fortifyrights.org

The Global Post have used one of our photos taken on Hka Ya mountain outside Laiza in Kachin state last year in an article highlighting ongoing human right abuses in Kachin state Myanmar http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/myanmar/140605/myanmar-army-abducts-civilians-guides-human-shields

Yesterday we were delighted to be able to assist the https://www.facebook.com/KachinPeaceNetwork?ref=br_tf on the third year anniversary of fighting in Kachin state. This war has gone on for far too long and needs to stop now!

www.globalpost.com

If MSF are forced to leave Myanmar it effectively puts a death sentence on at least 30,000 people who are dependent on MSF for their survival.


Here is a video we produced on the Myanmar HIV crisis in 2012
http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/video/2012/may/09/burma-aids-crisis-doctor-video

Burma's Aids crisis: 'For a doctor, it's a horrible situation' – video Doctors in Burma describe the 'devastating gap' between people's need and their access to HIV and Aids treatment

Our website is up and running once again http://www.wideawakeproductions.co.uk/

http://www.wideawakeproductions.co.uk/

Checkout our photos taken in traders hotel this morning capturing the aftermath of last nights bomb blast. Surprisingly very low-level security in the hotel this morning and a general sense of normality bare one tourist who said they were getting out of the country. After we took these photos there was another bomb scare just where we were having a meeting. It seems as though authorities are questioning three suspects. We can only speculate as to motives behind this.

http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/8490-us-woman-injured-in-blast-at-traders-hotel-in-yangon.html

http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/8491-false-alarm-bomb-scare-in-downtown-yangon.html

US woman injured in blast at Traders hotel in Yangon The injured woman was taken to Yangon General Hospital with wounds to one side of her body.

The team are working on a script for a film provisionally titled "The Rhetoric and Reality of land reform in Myanmar". All going well release date will be mid-november. Watch this space.

Sad news. There have been further skirmishes in Kachin state only days before peace talks are due to start between the KIO and Myanmar government. Mizzima used our photo from January for this article.
http://www.mizzima.com/mizzima-news/ethnic-issues/item/10230-continued-fighting-in-kachin-state

Continued fighting in Kachin State The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and Mone Dane Par residents have reported that the clashes between the Kachin Independence Army(KIA)and governmental forcesin Man Si Township, Ba Maw District, continued to rage untilfinally ceasing on the morning of 1 October.

Tomorrow is International Day of Peace, Myanmar. Last year in Yangon hundreds of people from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds marched across Yangon in solidarity. It was a joyous and positive day.

Sadly the day after the march all those who organized it were arrested and charged for not having permission to go ahead with the march. Since then all of the organizers have been dragged from one township court to another without any of the cases being resolved. This prolonged and unnecessary legal process has greatly impacted the daily lives of some of the most inspirational civil society figures in this country. The ongoing court cases highlight how selectively laws are applied in this country, with organizers of other marches not being arrested.

Please support International Day Of Peace, Myanmar 2013

Here are a selection of photos we took from this beautiful and positive day.

So much debate about Wirathu at the moment. Here is our piece on him from a couple of months back http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2013/apr/16/burma-bin-laden-buddhist-monk-video

Burma's Bin Laden, the Buddhist monk who fuels hatred - video Meet Wirathu, the 'Burmese Bin Laden'. He is a Buddhist monk who is stoking religious hatred across Burma

http://www.time.com/time/covers/asia/0,16641,20130701,00.html

TIME Magazine Cover: The Face of Buddhist Terror - July 1, 2013 TIME Magazine Cover: The Face of Buddhist Terror