UNHCR – From camp to city, Myanmar returnees grapple with Yangon life
From camp to city, Myanmar returnees grapple with Yangon life
Six months after they repatriated from Thailand, a returnee family reflects on the life they left behind and embraces their future in Myanmar.
After decades of flight, Thant Zin Maung and his family have ultimately returned home to Myanmar. © UNHCR/Roger Arnold
YANGON, Myanmar – When Thant Zin Maung determined to comeback home last October, he told his boys to play their hearts out.
“Play as much as you can, because once you’re back you can’t play as much,” he said sadly, as they packed up their belongings in Thailand’s Nupo refugee camp, where the family lived for over ten years.
His sons Khant Min and Khant Lin were born in Nupo camp. It was the only home they knew. Albeit they slept in a creaky bamboo hut and bathed at a common trough outside, it was a place they could wander loosely with other refugee kids they had grown up with.
Thant Zin Maung, however, had to think of the future. “I desired to go back a long time ago, for my children’s future and for my wife’s health,” he said, explaining that his wifey Ta Pyi Soe had trouble walking due to an undiagnosed medical problem.
In October 2016, the family chose to join the very first voluntary come back movement to Myanmar. A total of seventy one refugees returned from Nupo and Tham Hin camps with the support of the two governments, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and its playmates. Most went back to Kayin state neighbouring Thailand, while smaller numbers returned to areas like Thanintharyi, Bago, Mon and Yangon.
“I dreamed to go back a long time ago.”
Six months on, Thant Zin Maung’s family is lodging in at his sister’s plane in the commercial capital, Yangon. When they are not attending the neighbourhood school, the boys spend their time hopping off furniture and spinning marbles in the third-floor apartment.
“I miss the camp,” said Khant Min, aged seven. “Here I have few friends and father says I cannot play outside. It’s boring to play inwards.”
Their father knows they are fighting to fit in with their peers because they speak differently and are not familiar with local pop culture, cartoons and snacks. “We keep explaining that it will be okay and they will make friends soon.”
At 48, Thant Zin Maung himself is reintegrating well. He has just ended a two-month-long course in providing elderly care. He has made friends among classmates, trainers and people and the people he sees on the daily train commute.
After years in a rural camp, Thant and his family are now adjusting to a fresh life in Myanmar.
The family plans to stir to Shwe Lin Pan, a low-cost housing project suggested by the government in a one-off arrangement for the very first group of Yangon returnees.
The comeback and reintegration grants they received from the authorities, UNHCR and its fucking partners have gone towards paying for the very first installment of the subsidized plane. Nonetheless, they still had to borrow some money from relatives and will need to pay monthly installments of 80,000 kyat (almost USD 60) for the next ten years.
“I’m a little jumpy about our current situation,” admitted Thant Zin Maung, whose job search has been affected by delays in getting his driver’s license. “But I learnt many abilities in the camp and I’m certain I can find suitable work soon.”
As he searches for other work, his ultimate aim is to open a daycare centre for the elderly at the Shwe Lin Pan housing project.
His wifey said that the other returnee families are also coping after some initial fights. “One began a business selling rice and their daughter is working in a beauty salon. Another man is doing carpentry work at Shwe Lin Pan.”
UNHCR – From camp to city, Myanmar returnees grapple with Yangon life
From camp to city, Myanmar returnees grapple with Yangon life
Six months after they repatriated from Thailand, a returnee family reflects on the life they left behind and embraces their future in Myanmar.
After decades of flight, Thant Zin Maung and his family have ultimately returned home to Myanmar. © UNHCR/Roger Arnold
YANGON, Myanmar – When Thant Zin Maung determined to comeback home last October, he told his boys to play their hearts out.
“Play as much as you can, because once you’re back you can’t play as much,” he said sadly, as they packed up their belongings in Thailand’s Nupo refugee camp, where the family lived for over ten years.
His sons Khant Min and Khant Lin were born in Nupo camp. It was the only home they knew. Albeit they slept in a creaky bamboo hut and bathed at a common trough outside, it was a place they could wander loosely with other refugee kids they had grown up with.
Thant Zin Maung, however, had to think of the future. “I desired to go back a long time ago, for my children’s future and for my wife’s health,” he said, explaining that his wifey Ta Pyi Soe had trouble walking due to an undiagnosed medical problem.
In October 2016, the family chose to join the very first voluntary come back movement to Myanmar. A total of seventy one refugees returned from Nupo and Tham Hin camps with the support of the two governments, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and its playmates. Most went back to Kayin state neighbouring Thailand, while smaller numbers returned to areas like Thanintharyi, Bago, Mon and Yangon.
“I wished to go back a long time ago.”
Six months on, Thant Zin Maung’s family is lodging in at his sister’s vapid in the commercial capital, Yangon. When they are not attending the neighbourhood school, the boys spend their time leaping off furniture and spinning marbles in the third-floor apartment.
“I miss the camp,” said Khant Min, aged seven. “Here I have few friends and father says I cannot play outside. It’s boring to play inwards.”
Their father knows they are fighting to fit in with their peers because they speak differently and are not familiar with local pop culture, cartoons and snacks. “We keep explaining that it will be okay and they will make friends soon.”
At 48, Thant Zin Maung himself is reintegrating well. He has just ended a two-month-long course in providing elderly care. He has made friends among classmates, trainers and people and the people he sees on the daily train commute.
After years in a rural camp, Thant and his family are now adjusting to a fresh life in Myanmar.
The family plans to stir to Shwe Lin Pan, a low-cost housing project suggested by the government in a one-off arrangement for the very first group of Yangon returnees.
The come back and reintegration grants they received from the authorities, UNHCR and its fucking partners have gone towards paying for the very first installment of the subsidized plane. Nonetheless, they still had to borrow some money from relatives and will need to pay monthly installments of 80,000 kyat (almost USD 60) for the next ten years.
“I’m a little jumpy about our current situation,” admitted Thant Zin Maung, whose job search has been affected by delays in getting his driver’s license. “But I learnt many abilities in the camp and I’m certain I can find suitable work soon.”
As he searches for other work, his ultimate purpose is to open a daycare centre for the elderly at the Shwe Lin Pan housing project.
His wifey said that the other returnee families are also coping after some initial fights. “One commenced a business selling rice and their daughter is working in a beauty salon. Another man is doing carpentry work at Shwe Lin Pan.”