Tribute to Louisa Benson Craig aka Naw Lwe Hser 1941—2010

Thramu Louisa was a patriot who in every situation available, had stood up for her people and for the welfare of the ethnic peoples of Burma. She is known and respected not only by her own people but also by others as well.

She was a Karen leader and a  founder of the Karen American Communities Foundation (KACF)  established in December of  2007, a director and a staunch supporter of the organization.

In spite of her health situation, Thramu Louisa  attended the  KACF  conference held at Camp Loma Mar,  San Mateo,  San Francisco  in August  2009 , when  some 50  Karen community leaders from 15 states  participated. She was there  from the  very beginning of  the conference on  August 21st,  until  it was over on   August 25th, 2009. For most of us,  it was the last time that we had the opportunity to sit down together with her and discussed about the numerous problems encountered  by refugee new arrivals and what KACF can do to help.    We will draw strength from her wise counsel and fondly remember her for her tenderness, her soft voice  and for her warm and sincere smiles.

The  news  on February 2, 2010  that Thramu Louisa had passed away filled our hearts  with a profound feeling of sadness.  She left behind  her beloved husband, her  beloved children and  grand children,  her beloved siblings, and us  her friends  and  coworkers, together with  her beloved  Karen people.

Her passing away  is a great loss to her family and loved ones, to KACF,  to the Karens and to other people of Burma. May her  spirit be upon each and everyone  of us  and may it be  especially upon our youths of today   who have  the  solemn  obligation  to take on national responsibilities  in the days to come.

Thramu Louisa was a patriot who in every situation available, had stood up for her people and for the welfare of the ethnic peoples of Burma. She is known and respected not only by her own people but also by others as well.

She was a Karen leader and a  founder of the Karen American Communities Foundation (KACF)  established in December of  2007, a director and a staunch supporter of the organization.

In spite of her health situation, Thramu Louisa  attended the  KACF  conference held at Camp Loma Mar,  San Mateo,  San Francisco  in August  2009 , when  some 50  Karen community leaders from 15 states  participated. She was there  from the  very beginning of  the conference on  August 21st,  until  it was over on   August 25th, 2009. For most of us,  it was the last time that we had the opportunity to sit down together with her and discussed about the numerous problems encountered  by refugee new arrivals and what KACF can do to help.    We will draw strength from her wise counsel and fondly remember her for her tenderness, her soft voice  and for her warm and sincere smiles.

The  news  on February 2, 2010  that Thramu Louisa had passed away filled our hearts  with a profound feeling of sadness.  She left behind  her beloved husband, her  beloved children and  grand children,  her beloved siblings, and us  her friends  and  coworkers, together with  her beloved  Karen people.

Her passing away  is a great loss to her family and loved ones, to KACF,  to the Karens and to other people of Burma. May her  spirit be upon each and everyone  of us  and may it be  especially upon our youths of today   who have  the  solemn  obligation  to take on national responsibilities  in the days to come.