Sunday, June 23, 2013

World Refugees Day and Young Burmese students in U.S.






Dear Stakeholders in Burmese Communities
This year's Refugees' Day passed with many milestones laid down inside and outside of Burma (Myanmar). June 20th marks the anniversary for all refugees around the world. Many civic and humanitarian organizations celebrate to commemorate and convened awareness events both local and abroad.
Myanmar, in its first ever time, celebrates in low profile by military-turn-civilian government inviting very selected grass-root organizations. Although critics remained, the government has made every effort to recognize the internally and externally displaced citizens who were born but their residency were historically and consistently denied for almost century. The Government first demonstrated its willingness to assist Burmese refugees at and around Thai-Burma borders; population estimated by UN and refugees umbrella organizations at a million or more. High profile ceasefire teams led by cabinet and executive officials visit the camps and sat down with all stakeholders concerned. After bilateral and multilateral meetings, government discharges series of repatriation and resettlement for various ethnic groups to their native lands. Temporary residency IDs were issued. With signs of  willingness to assist minorities to revitalize their lives, international organizations cautiously welcome Myanmar Government's humanitarian approach. But ongoing religious and ethnic conflicts and discrimination is still tainting Burma's future. Beside Thai-Burma borders, Northern border sharing with mainland China and Burma (Rakkhine) -Bangladesh borders are largely considered as harsh human settlement. Countless centuries-long Muslim and Buddhist conflicts are still unresolved due to lack of compromised atmosphere from both sides. Many political, regional and military leaders are still in the same old mindset they have decades ago. It seems government is starting to realize and accept the concept of "One World" mission chartered by United Nations decades ago. Some high profile government officials make few working trips to Malaysia and Southeastern Asian region to assist Burmese refugees and migrant workers. It is in fact a "leap" development!
With changing tone of internal political atmosphere, many Burmese abroad are considering to return to their motherland for the first ever time. Few neighboring countries offer camp residents either to expedite their resettlement at 3rd country or return to motherland or persuade to move to other countries at their choices. United States has already announced that Burmese refugees priority acceptance program has reached the maximum cap beginning of this year and will only accept on case by case basis for the future. Since U.S. is the biggest recipient of the world's refugees, its announcement will greatly affected other 3rd countries around the world.
Now is the time to focus on uplifting lives of those who are already resettled in U.S. and around the world. Due to harsh background, many refugees are still facing the tremendous amount of struggle even in the great nation like U.S. Refugees are still within the refugee state! Differences of cultural and language shadow their lives in many ways. In some incident, their fortunes turn into tragedy. Simple fights, arguments and domestic violence end up giving their lives; leaving the rest of their family in despair. Due to massive influx of Burmese refugees in single location, has led to vacuum of living assistance. Local advocacy and resettlement VOLAGs are overwhelmed with work-overloads.
But very few make and even pass the benchmark. Today, I would like to take a moment to elaborate few of those who work hard and become outstanding in their communities. I am sure there are many similar outstanding Burmese who quietly achieve the goal of "American Dream".
Jay see Moe (her name was mistakenly spelled - in stead of "Kye-zin-moe")(Arizona) accompanied her parents Mai Ra Pe and Maimona all the way from California to Kansas and finally settled in Arizona. Due to economic downturn, Jay's parents are impacted along with many other refugees forcing them to look for jobs from state to state. Even within the promised-land like U.S., Jay's family find out survival in U.S. is not easy and sometimes miserable. But the family as a one, straighten the things out. I was overjoyed when I found out Jay has been inducted to state honor roll this academic year. Even though she is an elementary grade student, she fully understand how to read to me of the important correspondents her parents received from time to time. She even understand how to scan and email some letters. She is willing to be a health professional.
Anna Htoo (Southern California) consistently demonstrates she return her homework and participate in class projects. She has been cheered by her peer classmates. I was amazed when she showed me more than a dozen of academic achievement recognitions/awards given by her school and district; carefully prepared by her parents Gwel Moo and Eh Lor Joy. I can't be more than proud of her parents when I found out she has been awarded with "President's Outstanding Academic Achievement Award". She is planning to participate actively in civic and academic interest organizations when she starts middle school next year. Of course, she wants to be a doctor!
Raw Nay Htoo (Southern California) had no idea, few years ago, when his physical education teacher gave him a tryout of track-and-field. His parents have no clue either. The poor knowledge of athletic sports in the family and neighbors could not stop him to what he is today. His father is the only member who luckily got employed in a local manufacturing plant. Even though his father has to change his jobs due to mass lay-off, Raw stays course on his athletic program while he maintains good academic performance. Last week, he proudly brought me a plaque he has been recognized by his school district. The picture in the plaque has no way to match Raw but he assure me it is him and the name itself engraved on it. He is a "spear" my family murmured! I can imagine he is going to be a successful athletic student.

Dear friends. Like I mentioned earlier, there are many hidden treasures in Burmese refugee families in U.S. and around the world. Due to differences in political and geographical backgrounds, many countless people (especially minorities) are excluded or denied their potentials. Unfortunately many infants and children are among them. They are innocent. We cannot deny their birth-rights they deserve because of their races, skin color, faith, ethnic or backgrounds. The mindset of "ethnic cleansing" has no place in today's modern history. Consider every child, who is being abandoned on the streets around the world, has potential. They are seeds of tomorrow's world.
Please do not ignore if you find a child who is making streets his/her home. Find the best solution or answer that best match for that child. Consider he/she is your own child. Consider they all are Jay, Anna or Raw. Feel the same way they are facing. Open your arms and embrace them with love they truly deserve.Oh! Remember, always remind them to "pay-it-forward" to those who need in their future.
After all, we all are immigrants in any given nation!

with metta