MMR students show off the posters that they made during the group dynamics

Last week, MEC students, both past and present, and their parents attended a three day workshop on Human Rights. JRS in collaboration with MMR and Catholic Surathani Foundation, led this workshop to make families aware of their human rights in terms of international laws, as well as Thai law. Many people who become targets of human trafficking do not know their rights and the laws of Thailand which can mean that they are more vulnerable.

Students created posters, participated in group discussions and learnt how to connect human rights with their own situation.  The training highlighted the fact that many Burmese living in Ranong often do not have their basic rights fulfilled because they do not have or cannot get the correct documentation. A Burmese person who doesn’t have papers is often not able to receive proper health care – a fundamental human right.

One eye-opening moment occurred when a student asked whether they would be able to see their father, who lives in another Thai province. This student has a right to see their father but isn’t able to due to documentation issues. This is ongoing challenge for many Burmese, and for MMR.

Students were enthusiastic participants, and it was great to see parents involved and asking questions. The training was held at Eiffel hotel and a big highlight for the students was the delicious food. Father Kevin, who attended all three days of the training, said he was amazed at the level of English of our MMR young people, and highly impressed with the their reasoning and critical thinking skills. This workshop will hopefully empower them with knowledge that they can share with their family and friends..

One of the first things that caught my attention when I arrived in Ranong, Thailand in June 2010 was the white painted faces of children, men and women. Later, I knew that those white painted faces were distinctive to Myanmar people. The cream they use to paint their faces is called “tanaka”.

Tanaka is a yellow brownish paste made of a fragrant ground bark from Tanaka tree. The paste is applied on face, neck, arms and legs to moisture the skin and protect from the sun. It has been used for over 2000 years in Myanmar.
Wearing tanaka symbolizes beauty, culture and tradition among Myanmar people. Young and old, men and women are wearing tanaka on their faces.                                                                                                                                               

Living in Ranong for more than two years, I see the real faces behind the tanaka; faces of suffering HIV-Aids patients, neglected youth and children and exploited workers. They are the underprivileged people from Myanmar who live in Ranong as migrant workers.

Yet despite of the difficult situations where they are in, one can see how they bear all those hardships for the sake of, at least, experiencing a better life that they haven’t experienced in their own country.

Teaching the students at MEC and relating with other people enables me to immerse much deeper into their own situation. Students and our Burmese staff whose parents, brothers and sisters are in Myanmar, or working somewhere in Thailand, mother and father separated from each other, hide their loneliness behind the “tanaka”.

Tanaka, once applied to the skin, gives a cooling effect. It makes someone feels beautiful. As I perform my task as a teacher and as a friend, somehow I am able to help them realize that there is something greater, something good in life than the difficulties they experience. I like them to see that life is beautiful spite of the ugliness they feel in own lives.

As we continue our work amongst the Myanmar migrant workers in Ranong, our presence may give a soothing effect to the difficulties they carry. We may somehow be a “tanaka” to them.

_________________________________________                                                                                                                                             

“Rev. Arnold Garferio, sm is a Marist deacon. He was the first Filipino Marist to be ordained as deacon in Ranong, Thailand.  In this article, he reflects on his journey on mission in the Thai-Burma border. This journey was part of his  Marist Mission Experience (MME) in Ranong, Thailand. “

Education is a tool for one’s hope and dignity.

“Education is hope and dignity.” This was the core message of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon during the launching of UN’s global education initiative entitled: “Education first.” The said launching was attended by state leaders from all over the world.

One of the attendees during the launching was Burma’s Nobel Prize for Peace Laureate, Aung San Su Kyi. During the military regime in Burma, education was one  of those who have been left behind. Truly, with the help of this initiative, Burma will be able to reclaim their right to education. (to see the video of the launching, click this, video from:  UNECOSOC)

As to this note, the Marist Mission Ranong Team (MMR ) is so pleased that their education initiatives for the Burmese migrants are in lined with this global education promotion. For more than 6 years now, MMR education program has been giving the poor Burmese migrants, here in Ranong, hope and dignity through education.

One of MMR volunteers during his class with the burmese students.

A few days ago, I went back to the Education Centre  tired, after attending several meetings and concerns in a long rainy day here in Ranong.  I thought my day has just finished, and I was excited to take a rest and do some physical exercise, until I saw a little girl. She was trying to reach the huge rubbish bin near our education centre to get some junk stuffs, take them to a shop and sell them there.I took the courage to approach her and be able to talk to her.

Shwe (not her real name, means gold) is nine years old, daughter of Burmese migrant workers.  Her mother died already and the father has a new wife and family.  She is now staying with a neighbor who survives by collecting rubbish for recycling.

I invited her and her adult companion to collect the empty bottle and plastics in our education centre.  I ask one Burmese teacher to talk to the girl and invited her to study with us.

My heart was deeply disturbed to see her collecting rubbish along the road.  She should be in the classroom enjoying classes with other children rather than checking every garbage bin in a rainy crossroad.

I hope the world will pause for a while and listen to the stories of children like her. 

The United Nations’ (UN) ‘Education First’ Programme                                                                      

Last Sept 26 was a historic moment when UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon personally launched “Education First“ (click here for the UN’s article) in the presence  of Heads of States and Government Dignitaries, from all over the world, during the 67th Session of the United Nations’ General Assembly.

In the said Assembly, the Secretary General highlighted the three priorities of Education First Campaign:

1. putting every child into school

2. improving the quality of learning

3. fostering global citizenship

He declared, “We are here today because we know every child everywhere deserves that same chance. Education is hope and dignity. Education is growth and empowerment. Education is the basic building block of every society and a pathway out of poverty.”

Mr. Ban Ki-moon challenges the leaders of the world by saying,  “We cannot stop until every child, youth and adult has the opportunity to go to school, learn and contribute to society. This is our assignment. This is our homework. Let us pass the test for the world’s children.

“Let us put Education First”

I hope and pray that children, like Swe, will be in school soon instead of collecting the garbage for survival. May she enjoy soon the education, “that is quality, relevant and transformative.”

Fr. Kevin Medilo, sm

MMR Director

Shaun and Carmel amazed by the story of an MMR student.

The Marist Mission Ranong (MMR) team is delighted of the visit of Mr. and Mrs. Shaun Davison & Carmel Henry, all the way from New Zealand. Fr. Kevin Medilo met Shaun in New Zealand. He is a director of Religious Studies in a Marist school in New Zealand. With that acquaintance, Shaun planned to make a connection with what the Marists are doing in Ranong.

The couple stayed in Ranong for a week, and had an opportunity to experience to teach the students in Marist Education Centre. They were also able to visit Burmese migrants’ abode, especially the HIV patients. Before they left, the couple write something about their personal experiences in Ranong:

‘Our stay with the Marist Mission in Ranong has been a powerful combination of deep Marist Catholic values sharpened by a clear vision of social justice outreach to the poorest of the poor. It has been inspiring to see the commitment of Religious and lay working side by side at the education centers and health programme.

It has deepened our faith to be sharing prayers and Eucharist with the Marist family. Mostly it has been a humbling experience to

Shaun and Carmel initiated group dynamic to which they actively participated also.

meet members of the Burmese community, to hear of their dreams despite the overwhelming obstacles in their way.  Although our stay has been brief, we feel we have formed the basis of a strong connection between the students of the Marist Education Centre and Pompallier Catholic College in New Zealand.

Thanks to Fr Kevin and Br Arnold for the warmth of your welcome.

Kia kaha!

Shaun Davison & Carmel Henry.’