Karen Ladies Enjoying A Christmas Party, Thailand

Photography by El-Branden Brazil

Photography by El-Branden Brazil

Photography by El-Branden Brazil
Times have changed since this photograph was taken, back in 2010. At that time, we were campaigning for Aung San Suu Kyi’s release from imprisonment. Now, she is the de facto leader of Burma.
In 2012, mobile phones had started to become widely available in Burma. I remember being very surprised at seeing monks obsessed with their mobile phones, as this photo demonstrates.

Jump to 2016, smart phones are now everywhere. Within just one year, there was a 50% increase in the number of smart phone subscribers in Burma. It is progress, but I can’t help but feel that something has been lost.