BENEFIT FOR REFUGEE CHILDREN OF BURMA

FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT THE CHILD PROTECTION AND EDUCATION CENTER AT MAE TAO CLINIC

New York, NY - On Wednesday, April 7th, 2010, Free Burma Alliance (501C3) and Network 355 will hold a fundraiser to benefit the Burmese children refugees at Mae Tao Clinic in Thailand (www.maetaoclinic.org). The event will expose New Yorkers to Burmese culture, while raising funds to support the renowned clinic. The fundraiser will take place from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm at the famed Friar’s Club, located at 57 East 55th Street in New York City (www.friarsclub.com). Guests will include VIPS such as celebrities, politicians, and philanthropists.

Approximately 2,500 Burmese children currently live on the premises of Mae Tao Clinic, many of whom are orphans and former child soldiers. Established in 1989, the Mae Tao Clinic provides free health care for refugees, who cross the border from Burma to Thailand, escaping armed conflict and rampant human rights violations in their homeland. The clinic is led by Dr. Cynthia Maung who has received many honors for her humanitarian work including recognition as an “Asian Hero” by TIME magazine in 2003, and a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004, just to name a few.

The fundraiser will draw attention to this important cause and raise much-needed funds for the Mae Tao Clinic. The evening's program will include a traditional Burmese dance performance, Burmese arts display, live performance by fabulous SARINA- Violin Diva from Japan , who is an exclusive resident performer at clubs Nikki Beach and Arena, magic tricks by Oz Pearlman, photo exhibition by The Open Society Institute, a presentation by Dr. Cynthia Maung, Thomas Van Dyke, Morgan Spurlock and a video clip from Burma: An Indictment by Jeremy Taylor. Silent auction includes exciting items from Chanel, Michael Kors, Lancome, Swarovski, Gemma Kahng, Origins, M.A.C. Cosmetics, Diamond Club International, N : F : P (New Form Perspective), Delirius Design, Kimberly Hotel, Julia Dale Group, Aroma M, BeautiControl as well as works of art from Naxart, Momo Art (Tomosuke Nakayama), Paul Miller (DJ Spooky), Hye Rim Lee, Reka Nyari Photography, Joe Ongie and Jeffrey Hellman. Among the sponsors and contributors are Elle Magazine, Ito En, Lindt Chocolates, Sapporo Beer, TR Luxury, COCOANEWYORK (Mie Iwatsuki), Crunch Fitness, Kunduru Music, Mednik Events, Thai Express, TSR Sushi , Sabina Les, Bedford International Wines and Causecast.

Premium Open Bar and Buffet Style dinner (Burmese, Japanese and Western) will be served. Music by DJChkalov.

FREE BURMA ALLIANCE (FBA) (www.freeburmaalliance.org) is a coalition of human rights and humanitarian relief organizations dedicated to raising awareness about humanitarian crisis in Burma and to present a unified voice focusing attention on the crimes against humanity in Burma. Organizations collaborating with FBA include Mae Tao Clinic, National Council of the Union of Burma, Heroes Serving Humanity, National League for Democracy-Liberated Area, Burma Point, Backpack Health Workers Team, Burma Global Action Network, and Amnesty International USA.

NETWORK 355 (www.network355.org) is a NYC based network of women who volunteer their expertise to raise awareness about humanitarian and cultural causes. Network 355 Vision is to create a global network of people with diverse backgrounds, who recognize the importance of living with purpose and giving back to society and who come together for inspiration and support.

Tickets on sale now at burmabenefit.eventbrite.com

Contact info: Jeremy Taylor jeremy@freeburmaalliance.org & Elena Tchainikova et@network355.org