Ashin Issariya – aka King Zero – is one of the founders of The Best Friend. He is well-known for his political activities and played a major role in the 2007 Saffron revolution. He fled the country and has been in Mae Sot since 2008. Apart from these political activities, King Zero has also been very active in the social field.

King Zero got involved in social projects in 1999, when he started the first library at State Sasana University in Rangoon. “At the time, I started this library to help monks read books; that is why we started it at the university. It is not very common for monks to be involved in projects like founding a library. Later more monks joined us, because we gave them more information. At first they were afraid: the military regime knew about the library and our activities. In Burma, it is risky to be involved in projects like a language school and library. And it is difficult to run libraries because of that. Some monasteries were closed. Some monasteries wanted to open a library, but were afraid to do so.”

“When I was in Burma, I opened thirteen libraries. It was very difficult to set up libraries under the military junta. People want to read, they really needed books. I decided to open up libraries everywhere. The regime made it difficult for me. I never gave up, though, and still continue to open new libraries. At the moment, we have two libraries in Thailand: one in Mae Sot and one in Chaing Mai. We also teach languages and offer computer classes. My plan is to open up a new library in NoPo refugee camp . I am now collecting and buying books to do that. Our school – 42km – currently has 400 students and needs a library too.”

“The goal of these projects is that we want to educate the people. Many Burmese people inside are lacking information, they don’t have the opportunity to read books, there are no libraries. They do not know anything about their country’s situation. They believe in Kamma as a predestination: we are in this situation in this life and we cannot change it.”

“If they have knowledge, the regime cannot control them as easily. I believe knowledge is power. I want to open up libraries and language schools so that the people can have general knowledge. Educated persons can understand things and other persons better. And it is also easier for us to explain more of our ideas and plans to an educated person.”

“The situation inside Burma at the moment is terrible: many people are very poor. The regime announced elections for 2010. We decided to boycott these and will demonstrate again. We are currently in discussion with the NLD and other political leaders inside and outside and also with leaders of the monks about new demonstrations. Can the NLD lead or not? We are talking about things like that.”

“We talked with leaders about whether or not to boycott the elections. They will win anyway. We have to demonstrate again. We talk about how to organize all the people. If all people join new demonstrations, we must win.”

“What we need most in terms of support at the moment, is computers and books. We are working on a mobile library and mobile computer classes. Many of the factory workers in Mae Sot cannot come to join, so we must go to them. We need computers and laptops for this. And also books. Books in Burmese, English and Thai languages. But also about politics and topics like education.”

“I am still in danger now. I live very close to Burma. But I decided to offer my life to my country. It is not safe here for me: I have no Thai ID card and if they check me, they can send me back into Burma anytime.”

The last two years, support for The Best Friend has grown, especially in Europe. In Scandinavia, Germany, Holland, Spain, many people are active for the organization.
“In Germany and Holland, our friends help us for the libraries. Because of this support, we can do more work for our country. Thank you very much for helping us! If the people help us more, we can do more. Thanks a lot for your support and helping us. There is much to do inside and outside Burma: we want to help monasteries set up free education centers and libraries in Burma. All our libraries are in need of books and computers, so we need money to purchase these. The more people support us, the more we are able to do for Burma!”

- See more at: http://www.thebestfriend.org/2010/06/30/king-zeros-message/#sthash.FYuHiBYY.Sfg0V2bP.dpuf