Building Digital Resilience in Exile

How Exile Hub’s Hummingbird Workshop fostered both safety and strength in Myanmar’s exile community

At Exile Hub, we believe resilience is not just about surviving, it’s about thriving, even amid uncertainty. That belief guided our recent Hummingbird Workshop, in partnership with Stop Online Harm, held both in person and online, bringing together journalists, human rights defenders, and community members from Myanmar’s exile network.

Named after the hummingbird symbol of agility, adaptability, and endurance, the workshop provided practical tools to help participants navigate the growing threats of digital harassment and online violence, while caring for their mental well-being.

Understanding the Threat

Online harassment has become an all-too-common experience among Myanmar’s exiled communities.

Every participant reported witnessing some form of online harassment.

60% had experienced it personally. 

65% said they were unaware of organizations offering support to survivors.

These numbers reveal an urgent need to build safer digital spaces and stronger psychosocial support systems for those at risk especially women, journalists, and frontline defenders.

What We Learned Together

Throughout the sessions, participants explored:

• How to recognize and respond to online harassment.

• Best practices in online safety and privacy.

• Digital security strategies for prevention.

• The importance of mental health awareness in responding to digital threats.

Each workshop began with an emotional check-in, which participants described as  grounding and empowering. These moments allowed everyone to reflect on not just risks, but resilience and the importance of collective care in digital spaces.

Voices from Participants

We’re proud that 100% of participants said they would recommend the Hummingbird Workshop to others.

One participant shared:

“It was amazing to learn practical ways to protect ourselves from online harassment. I gained greater awareness of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), as well as insights into network and data security. I also appreciated the facilitator’s gentle and supportive teaching approach.”

Another participant, Ko Kyaw, added:

“It would be great to have more online workshops for wider reach, and to include mindfulness or breathing exercises. In-person sessions would also help deepen connection and learning.”

 Moving Forward

The Hummingbird Workshop reminded us of that digital safety and mental health are deeply intertwined. Protecting one’s digital rights is not just about firewalls and passwords, it’s also about community, care, and emotional resilience.

As we mark World Mental Health Day, Exile Hub reaffirms its commitment to supporting the holistic well-being of exiled journalists, educators, and activists.

Through our ongoing Culture of Care initiative, led by our Wellbeing Coordinator, Carol, we continue to design programs that integrate psychosocial support with digital resilience empowering communities to stay safe, tell their stories, and heal through connection.

Because resilience, like the hummingbird, is not about size or strength; it’s about heart, movement, and the will to keep going.

Join Our Culture of Care

If you or someone in your network needs support or guidance, our Wellbeing Coordinator is available for confidential one-on-one and group sessions. Together, we can build communities that are not only safer online, but also stronger, kinder, and more resilient in spirit.

Through this blog, we also want to remind our community that our Wellbeing Coordinator is on standby to provide one-on-one counselling and group sessions for anyone experiencing stress, anxiety, or simply in need of someone to talk to. We’re here to listen, support, and care. Together, we can build communities that are not only safer online, but also stronger, kinder, and more resilient in spirit.

Exile Hub will continue to design programs that help our community stay safe, tell their stories, and heal through connection. Because resilience, like the hummingbird, is not about size or strength; it’s about heart, movement, and the will to keep going.