Karen Organization of San Diego
Karen Organization of San Diego advances educational, civic, & economic opportunities for ethnic groups from Burma (Myanmar) while honoring cultural heritage.
About Us
Established in 2009, KOSD supports Karen and other refugees from Burma in San Diego. We help refugees navigate social service systems, access leadership and employment opportunities, and stay connected to their community and culture.
Programs
KOSD’s programs are informed by community input and needs assessments, and are conducted through a Community-Self Help model:
We support the community and empower them to help themselves. Our programs are possible with funding from various Funders
Find Support
KOSD provides case management services for individuals and familieswho are refugees from Burma. Learn how you can access welfare, educational, and health resources.
News & Events
Stay up to date with the latest announcement and events from KOSD!
KOSD's senior club is more than just taking our seniors on fun trips, it's also about celebrating life with our community, especially in old age when community becomes harder to find! On February 9, we hosted a birthday celebration for seniors born in December, January, and February. We celebrated the birthdays of eight seniors, and ten seniors and two KOSD staff members join us for this celebration. We began with some light exercises followed by a fun team-building activity. The seniors were divided into two groups and worked together to build a structure using straws. The team that built the tallest structure won! It was truly wonderful to see everyone collaborating, supporting one another, and sharing lots of laughter along the way. After the activity, we moved on to the birthday celebration. The seniors blew out the candles as we sang “Happy Birthday,” and we wrapped up the event by enjoying lunch together. The seniors had an amazing time, and the room was filled with smiles, teamwork, and celebration.
awww amazing!
A new year means new adventures for KOSD's Senior Club! On January 21, nine of our seniors, accompanied by two staff members, went on a field trip to the San Diego Botanical Garden. As they walked through the garden, many of the plants reminded the seniors of Burma and their home villages, which brought back fond memories and sparked joyful conversations. They enjoyed taking their time walking around the garden, admiring the different plants and scenery. The seniors took many pictures together to capture the special moments and beautiful surroundings. After exploring the garden, we all sat down and enjoyed lunch together, sharing stories and laughter. We are so glad we were able to create such an enjoyable and meaningful experience for our seniors!
KOSD's Women's Group is back in action for 2026! For our first two meetings of the year, we enjoyed some refreshing exercise at Chollas Lake and hiking at Mission Trails, followed by picnics where we shared food and meaningful conversations. Our Women’s Group meets every other Thursday to connect, uplift one another, and navigate the challenges of womanhood and motherhood together. We encourage regular physical activity and also teach the women to practice mindfulness to support both their physical and mental well-beings in their daily lives. Our group is a safe, welcoming space where women can grow, learn, and empower one another. If you are interested in joining please reach out to Paw Shar Wah at pawsharwah@karensandiego.org Hope to you see at our next meeting!
