Catriona, how tragic for those poor young girls. I wonder if some you knew then managed to leave the country. I've been reading too much depressing news recently, but you write about this with such a sad, gentle touch. It's just so upsetting that a handful of bad people can turn so many lives upside down, all over the world. Are you in touch with anyone over there, or is it impossible?
Thanks for your message - yes unfortunately their story is the is the story of so many young people in Myanmar at the moment.
I have met a few young people in Dubai who came here with hardly anything to avoid being recruited into the military. It is really tough as they don't really know much English or how to navigate Dubai (I found it hard to move here with a company sponsored visa - so can only imagine how complicated it is for them).
Most of my Myanmar friends left the country, so we are in touch on and off - it is easier to speak when they are out the country - as there are less security risks/risks the call is being tracked.
Some are claiming asylum, a lot managed to get visas through connections in Thailand or get grants to study in Australia or NZ. Some are in prison and it is hard to find out details about what happened. Some are just trying to keep going in Yangon. It is mixed and hard to keep track of everyone.
I have asked around to try and find out what happened to those companies and girls after the coup - so will update you when I find out more.
Catriona, I find it so lovely that you care so much. We need more caring people as leaders in the world. I would love to know about them when you hear. Love, Cesca
Thank you Catriona for this poignant story of your research and bringing attention to the horror of what’s happening in Myanmar it’s a terrible anniversary to have to be marking. My oldest and dearest friend and her family lived in Yangon from 2010-2020 and are still in daily contact with people there, so am hearing from her, often very distressed, about what’s going on there. It’s hard to fathom the suffering in the country, and so tragic to see hard won freedoms and opportunities disappear from the lives of the young especially. Many refugees are in Thailand, where my friend is now too. Last week she tells me Myanmar refugee schools there were closed down and teachers arrested. Hard and disheartening times indeed. From what I hear, knowing that people outside of their country care matters hugely to the people of Myanmar
Thank you for your comment Sally. I wonder if I knew your friend as we had many years of overlap in Yangon. It is very distressing to watch Myanmar right now as there is so little external support, there is a lot of very horrific violence and people are having to find solutions from very little. Plus there are so many complicated dynamics to the politics that it can be hard to capture the nuances. Many of my friends are in Thailand now and some have received support to move to other places. I find it saddest for this generation I wrote about - as they grew up with all these ideas and possibilities and lots of international opportunities - Yangon physically transformed during the time I lived there - I feel for them it must be hardest to adapt their dreams and ambitions to the political changes.
Yes so much sadness and complexity, its a lot for you to hold Catriona , especially as you say when there is little awareness or support for Myanmar in the midst of all all else going on in the world. Always terrible to see young people's dreams and aspirations being snuffed out. Thnakfully some have made their way out of the country, as hard as it is, there is quite a community here in Australia. My friend is Annie Bell who founded several social enterprises while she was there ( Helping Hands and Pomelo) while her partner Gerry Fox worked for Pyeopin and British Council. I also know their friend Mel Sanderson who still visits there teaching at the Film School. All very good people. It seems all who go to live there lose their heart to the people and place.
Hi Sally - ah yes - Pomelo and Pyeopin were great organisations - I didn't know Annie well but I remember her name and Gerry's too. I wasn't in those sectors as I was more involved in the land/climate space. I think I have quite a few products I bought from Pomelo.
Myanmar does draw you in - although at a certain point, I felt I had to reclaim my own life and not be so closely tied to everything going on there - however it appreciated the opportunity to know so many parts of the country and so many people's stories. Travel/life abroad has tied me to parts of the work and cultures I wouldn't have known much about. And once you know those stories it is hard to forget them.
Oh how nice to know you have some Pomelo treasures in your life too!
What I have seen in Annie and Gerry is that life working in many countries grows your heart and mind in so many ways, and changes you forever. You are all courageous souls!
Thank you for bringing their stories. What horrors they continue to go through.
I didn’t know a lot about the conflicts in Myanmar until I read this and I really appreciate you highlighting these hidden stories. It is hard to digest all the horrific wars happening across the world, but we can’t turn away.
Thanks for the read and comment Jo. Yes the conflict has been very undercovered in press, despite its scale and impact. I find it tricky writing about it because its sad to go through the information of what is happening/see pictures of places I have visited completely destroyed - and there are so many dynamics to what is going on there. But I wanted to do something to mark the anniversary as so many of my Burmese friends feel their situation has been forgotten by the rest of the world. Very glad to know these stories reached you.
Catriona, how tragic for those poor young girls. I wonder if some you knew then managed to leave the country. I've been reading too much depressing news recently, but you write about this with such a sad, gentle touch. It's just so upsetting that a handful of bad people can turn so many lives upside down, all over the world. Are you in touch with anyone over there, or is it impossible?
Hi Francesca,
Thanks for your message - yes unfortunately their story is the is the story of so many young people in Myanmar at the moment.
I have met a few young people in Dubai who came here with hardly anything to avoid being recruited into the military. It is really tough as they don't really know much English or how to navigate Dubai (I found it hard to move here with a company sponsored visa - so can only imagine how complicated it is for them).
Most of my Myanmar friends left the country, so we are in touch on and off - it is easier to speak when they are out the country - as there are less security risks/risks the call is being tracked.
Some are claiming asylum, a lot managed to get visas through connections in Thailand or get grants to study in Australia or NZ. Some are in prison and it is hard to find out details about what happened. Some are just trying to keep going in Yangon. It is mixed and hard to keep track of everyone.
I have asked around to try and find out what happened to those companies and girls after the coup - so will update you when I find out more.
Catriona, I find it so lovely that you care so much. We need more caring people as leaders in the world. I would love to know about them when you hear. Love, Cesca
Thank you Francesca. That is kind. I find the once I know someone's story its hard not to wonder about them sometimes.
Thank you Catriona for this poignant story of your research and bringing attention to the horror of what’s happening in Myanmar it’s a terrible anniversary to have to be marking. My oldest and dearest friend and her family lived in Yangon from 2010-2020 and are still in daily contact with people there, so am hearing from her, often very distressed, about what’s going on there. It’s hard to fathom the suffering in the country, and so tragic to see hard won freedoms and opportunities disappear from the lives of the young especially. Many refugees are in Thailand, where my friend is now too. Last week she tells me Myanmar refugee schools there were closed down and teachers arrested. Hard and disheartening times indeed. From what I hear, knowing that people outside of their country care matters hugely to the people of Myanmar
Thank you for your comment Sally. I wonder if I knew your friend as we had many years of overlap in Yangon. It is very distressing to watch Myanmar right now as there is so little external support, there is a lot of very horrific violence and people are having to find solutions from very little. Plus there are so many complicated dynamics to the politics that it can be hard to capture the nuances. Many of my friends are in Thailand now and some have received support to move to other places. I find it saddest for this generation I wrote about - as they grew up with all these ideas and possibilities and lots of international opportunities - Yangon physically transformed during the time I lived there - I feel for them it must be hardest to adapt their dreams and ambitions to the political changes.
Yes so much sadness and complexity, its a lot for you to hold Catriona , especially as you say when there is little awareness or support for Myanmar in the midst of all all else going on in the world. Always terrible to see young people's dreams and aspirations being snuffed out. Thnakfully some have made their way out of the country, as hard as it is, there is quite a community here in Australia. My friend is Annie Bell who founded several social enterprises while she was there ( Helping Hands and Pomelo) while her partner Gerry Fox worked for Pyeopin and British Council. I also know their friend Mel Sanderson who still visits there teaching at the Film School. All very good people. It seems all who go to live there lose their heart to the people and place.
Hi Sally - ah yes - Pomelo and Pyeopin were great organisations - I didn't know Annie well but I remember her name and Gerry's too. I wasn't in those sectors as I was more involved in the land/climate space. I think I have quite a few products I bought from Pomelo.
Myanmar does draw you in - although at a certain point, I felt I had to reclaim my own life and not be so closely tied to everything going on there - however it appreciated the opportunity to know so many parts of the country and so many people's stories. Travel/life abroad has tied me to parts of the work and cultures I wouldn't have known much about. And once you know those stories it is hard to forget them.
Oh how nice to know you have some Pomelo treasures in your life too!
What I have seen in Annie and Gerry is that life working in many countries grows your heart and mind in so many ways, and changes you forever. You are all courageous souls!
Thank you for bringing their stories. What horrors they continue to go through.
I didn’t know a lot about the conflicts in Myanmar until I read this and I really appreciate you highlighting these hidden stories. It is hard to digest all the horrific wars happening across the world, but we can’t turn away.
Thanks for the read and comment Jo. Yes the conflict has been very undercovered in press, despite its scale and impact. I find it tricky writing about it because its sad to go through the information of what is happening/see pictures of places I have visited completely destroyed - and there are so many dynamics to what is going on there. But I wanted to do something to mark the anniversary as so many of my Burmese friends feel their situation has been forgotten by the rest of the world. Very glad to know these stories reached you.