|PIC1|Release International is rallying to the support of Burma's orphans with a Christmas campaign to raise more than £20,000 to help child victims of poverty and conflict.

Release aims to help some of the country's most vulnerable children, who are preyed upon by the voracious sex trade and the military.

Young boys face the constant risk of being picked up by the army, and then forced to commit atrocities against villagers, never to see their family again.

Attacks against Christians and the closure of church buildings are commonplace. And the children of Christians have been forcibly removed from their homes by the predominantly Buddhist military junta, who are seeking to promote a single national identity.

"They want to destroy their faith," explained Release partner Barnabas. "They want to convert this country to Buddhism. So many times they take the children without their parents' permission. They force them into the Buddhist school and they never see their parents again."

"Christians do not have the same rights as Buddhists," adds Release partner, Thomas.

Thomas was sentenced to life imprisonment for trying to move orphaned children from Chin State to the capital Yangon, so he could care for them.

The Government accused him of human trafficking, and locked him in a cell with 70 other prisoners. Although sentenced to life, the charges against him were dropped when his papers were found to be in order.

Release has launched a special project to help Burma's orphans, including young children such as 13-year-old Ester, who is now being cared for in a Christian family centre. Her story is sadly not unusual.

"My mother died when I was born," she says. Her father is unknown.

"A Chinese couple adopted me, but when I was nine the couple died. I had no home and no parents."

A pretty girl, living on the streets, she was soon abducted and sold on in another city. "A lady bought me," she recalls. "There were many girls in the house."

One day, however, Ester was playing under a tree when she was rescued by one of Release's partners, and brought to a safe, Christian-run home.

"Everything is new for me," says Ester. "Here they sing, but I could not sing."

"I came to faith in Jesus, and I have peace. Now I can sing."

Release is working with a Burmese Christian partner, Kids Alive, to provide 24-hour care for orphaned children such as Ester and hundreds of others through a network of secret Christian family centres. These provide a safe, loving, environment, as well as education.

Children at risk are cared for from infancy until they can function as independent members of society. Some go on to university.

Release is aiming to raise £15,000 to build a new Christian family centre to provide a secure home for 12 orphaned children.

Release also wants to raise £7,500 to buy 'Christmas packages' for 300 children already being cared for in Kids Alive family centres. A gift of £25 will provide an orphan with a new mattress, sheet and mosquito net.

Release said, "This is a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate God's love to vulnerable children in Burma."

Through its international network of missions, Release International serves persecuted Christians in 30 countries around the world by supporting pastors and Christian prisoners, and their families, supplying Christian literature and Bibles, and working for justice.