– Visiting ACU fellow Maya Cranitch shares her experiences lecturing the first of the units in the ACU Diploma in Liberal Studies.

It is 8.45 and I arrive half an hour early to begin class at the MMR online learning centre in Ranong. All 9 students are already there, smiling, bright eyed and eager, eating breakfast, reading their textbooks or at the computers researching for an assignment. During the six days of teaching no one misses a minute of class time. There are no complaints, no distractions, only rapt attention and enthusiastic participation. When the access to education is gained through struggle and hardship, it is not squandered but a prize to be valued. What teacher would trade the opportunity to teach such students?

The first subject in the Diploma in Liberal Studies is English Communication. Students are introduced to English for academic purposes. They explore different types of writing, develop reading skills, strategies for research and become familiar with academic referencing conventions. This course was delivered face to face but also had an online discussion board which allowed Ranong students to collaborate with their colleagues: the 30 students in Mae Sot. The first discussion posts asked for a personal introduction as well as a reflection about previous educational experiences. These posts, often highly personal, talked of long journeys from villages to refugee camps in search of education, schooling interrupted by warfare, schools with poorly trained teachers and no resources.

A continuing theme was the belief that education was a source of hope in the future.

Students at work in the e-learning centre

I was fortunate to be able to spend a week with Fr John Larsen and the Marist community in Ranong. I first met Fr John when I was staying with the Marists in Davao, Philippines in 2003 just prior to him starting the Marist Mission in Myanmar and now in Ranong working with Burmese migrants.

Kirsten Sloan

I was warmly welcomed into the Marist home and it was wonderful to also see the familiar faces of Fr Kevin, Ronald, Ian John and Joey all of whom I had previous met in the Philippines. Each day began with personal meditation in the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. As the sun rose over the hills to greet us I joined in morning prayer followed by mass with the Marist community, a reminder that Christ is with us, the focus for our day.

Ranong is a fishing town on the Thai Burma border. It is a town of many colours, of wealth and great poverty, hardship, inequality and where basic needs are not available for all. Despite the struggles the people have not lost hope for their future and that of their families.

I see the Marist Mission in Ranong as God’s love in action. I was privileged to visit patients with HIV and AIDS in their homes with staff from the Marist HIV/AIDS team. Life is very basic, with many challenges and difficulties. The team assist with basic food supplies, hospital visits and access to medication. But more importantly is the being there, listening and supporting. The smiles on patients faces as they see you arrive says more than a million words. The presence of the team gives hope, gives quality of life and shows they have not been forgotten.

In the Marist education centre a learning centre is run where young children energetically experience their first encounter with learning. Basic education and hygiene is taught. While at the centre a class of older children were learning computer skills and I spoke with a small class of 12-16 year old Burmese students learning English. They were eager to learn and all found the courage to practise their English with me. Education for Burmese children is often not available and there is also an expectation that by 11 years old you will be working to support your family to help provide basic necessities. At a meeting for the parents of the class of 12-16 year olds it was clear that the parents were like any parents in the world just wanting what was best for their children and their future. Allowing their children to be educated also bought with it sacrifice, as the family often struggled to provide basic needs for daily living and they now had one less income. But through the Marist Mission they had hope, hope for a better future.

In a predominantly Buddhist country a Catholic Mission has many challenges. It was evident to me that this was a Christ lead mission. A small team of Religious and Lay living and working in the Marist Spirit. Following Christ by serving the poorest of the poor. I was very privileged to have spent a week with this community. A week where I was able to spend time with God, reflect, be challenged and to see Gods love in action.

Kirsten visiting with a Burmese family

I left the Marist Mission of Ranong feeling torn. Wanting to stay and work with the HIV and AIDS team and patients in Ranong but also knowing that God was calling me elsewhere. Calling me to continue discerning and begin my postulancy with the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary.

Thank you to the Marist Community and the team of faithful workers at the Marist Mission Ranong.

Kirsten Sloan

(New Zealand)

Ranong Reflection

In early December 2007 we were in the town of Ranong in southern Thailand where my brother, John Larsen SM, and his merry band of men have set up a mission to the many Burmese people in the area. The mission is an outreach from the Marist mission in the Philippines.
 

Ian and Gabrielle Milne visit from Australia

While there we, (my husband Ian and I), were given a tour to some of the areas where they work.We visited two or three education centres where we saw bright happy little round faced Burmese children being taught Thai, English and their own native Burmese language. As many of the children have been born in Thailand they are stateless, as neither country acknowledges their existence. Volunteers assist the team and, as Father John says, extra volunteers turn up when most needed. While in Ranong we were impressed by a young couple from New Zealand who were teaching the children the rudiments of bargaining, a popular Thai pastime, in English. These lovely young people were spending half of their holiday helping Father John’s team and the other half touring Asia. After that it will be back to their university studies.  

Education centre

T he education centres were in hot, open sheds, very noisy with the smell of the fish factories wafting through and would certainly not meet Australian (or Thai) standards. Unfortunately, at this stage, the children are only being educated up to the age of 12 when they can then be employed in the fish factories. A 100 baht a day (about $AUD3.50) payment is their expectation for their labour. Father John would love to set up a secondary education facility but he is competing against the need of families to put rice on the table – if they have a table. 
   

The Marists also minister to HIV/Aids infected adults. This disease is often not recognised as a problem by the officials and, accordingly, patients are cared for by their families who are living in hovels with no sanitation. The flushing of the latrines is twice a day, by tidal action in the estuaries. Anti-viral dugs are not readily available to these forgotten people although Caritas Italy does provide some funds and assistance.  

We also visited the drop in centre, again with the all pervasive stench of fish. Here the Burmese people can attend English and computer classes. There is a small chapel and a few offices. As the majority of the Burmese are Buddhists, the chapel is mainly used by the missionaries and itinerant helpers.  

Ian and Gabrielle renew their marriage vows. Fr John presided the ceremony.

The Marist group have rented a house for their accommodation. Because of the comings and goings of both Priests and lay people it is difficult to ascertain how many live in the house at any one time. The hospitality and friendship was outstanding and we were made to feel very welcome. A highlight for us was the celebration of Mass by three priests (two from New Zealand and one from the Philippines) on our 40th wedding anniversary. It was a memorable and moving occasion.  

The Burmese people, coming into contact with Father John’s team of dedicated men and women are treated with a respect and dignity they would not otherwise receive in Thailand. The impact is both positive and obvious. As in all countries education and health are of paramount importance. In Ranong the Burmese are receiving, from Father John’s team, a level of support not available from the Thai or Burmese Governments. We trust that they will respond to the love of Christ flowing from this remarkable outreach team.  

Gabrielle Milne