WHEN Richard Dove began working as a multicultural liaison officer for Werribee police six years ago, he never imagined he would end up writing Australia’s first picture book dedicated to the Karen people.
But that’s exactly what happened. With the help of Wyndham Community and Education Centre chief executive Jennie Barrera and Karen artist Tha Do La, Mr Dove has put together Us Karen, a picture book depicting the journey of the Karen people from Burma to Australia.
Mr Dove, who has written other books, said he jumped at the chance to write the book when he was approached by Ms Barrera.
“Over the six years I have worked with [the Karen people] I have made friends in their community,” he said.
“I’ve learned about them and what they have been through.”
Mr Dove said Us Karen, which took two years to complete, told of the community’s plight in a way children could relate to.
The book will be sent to Wyndham, Geelong and Hobsons Bay schools to help students understand what their Karen classmates have been through.
Mr Dove hopes the book will build a sense of pride, admiration and acceptance of Karen culture in kindergarten and junior primary schools, as well the wider community.
Copies will also be sent to other parts of Australia where Karen people have settled and to refugee camps on the Thai-Burma border. About 1000 copies will be sold at the community and education centre. More than 300 were snapped up at the book’s launch on February 22.
