"Even there, it was better than Burma"

In speaking with a friend the other day, she shared with me her story of how she came to live in Mae Sot. I already know her to be a remarkably determined and able woman, but her story left me with a new sense of awe at her strength, and bravery.

My friend is from a border area in southern Burma. As a teen, she became involved in the opposition movement, working with the Women's League of Burma and other organizations, to promote the cause of democracy and equality within her country. She was (is) dedicated to the cause, works incredibly hard, and became known as a voice for the movement in her area. It was not long, however, before officials in her families village recognized her in news coverage of opposition events, at the microphone with other well known opposition leaders. She was targeted, and her family was questioned. It because imperative for her to leave Burma.

This is the last thing that she wanted - she loves her country, and is dedicated to the idea of seeing it dawn in a new era of democracy. She left only for the safety of her family, and to be able to continue to work for that goal, which she could no longer do inside. She came to Mae Sot, still only 19 years old, and found work. Like many not so legal migrants, she obtained counterfeit travel documents, so that she could travel outside of Mae Sot. While using these on a trip, she was caught, arrested, and sentenced to 18 months in jail.

They sent her to a jail in another border town, south of here. Inside were many other Burmese migrants. She described her time there as 'impossible to do the thing you want, at the time you want to do it'. Living in a communal cell, personal items often went missing. She tried to study language, to improve her English and learn Thai, but notebooks and dictionaries also went missing or were confiscated. She did learn some Thai, it was necessary to communicate with guards and jail officials. This was actually how I came to hear her story - I heard her speaking Thai, which I didn't realize she spoke, and she told me she learned it in jail.

In jail, only the the very minimum was provided. Most of her fellows were supported by their families on the outside, who would bring them money or food and clothes. My friend's family was still inside Burma, so they could not come visit. It was difficult for her to even notify them of her situation. Her friends and colleagues were in Mae Sot, also unable to travel. She said the food was minimal, and often unpallatable. The rice was of very low quality, and often full of stones.

After one year, four months, and ten days, she was released. She risked traveling back to her family's town, as she had heard that her father was ill. She could only stay a couple of days, because if he authorities caught her, she could be arrested. She said goodbye to her family, and began the journey back to Mae Sot, once more sliding across the border to become an illegal migrant. Her father died not long after. She was not able to go back for his funeral, and does not think she can go back to her home ever again, pending major change in Burma's leadership.

Last year, my friend began a new job, which offered to support her in obtaining the papers needed to stay in Mae Sot, and to travel, legally. In order to do this, however, she had to travel back inside, go to Rangoon, and obtain a passport. This meant crossing back across the border, which she did in the south, crossing the mountains on foot. Although she gave her home a wide berth, she still changed her appearance to avoid recognition, taking the risk that Rangoon bureaucrats would not associate her application with her former work. Fortunately, her mission was successful, and she reentered Thailand, and returned to Mae Sot, on a legal visa. It was a lot to risk, and she was still only 22 years old.

My friend describes her time in jail as one of, if not the, most difficult experiences of her life. And yet, she told me with conviction that 'even there, it was better than Burma'. In Burma, she had witnessed and experienced corruption, oppression, repression, censorship, violence, and other forms on injustice. Her own captivity was not as painful as the captivity of human dignity and freedom in her country.

Despite this, my friend maintains hope for a better future, and continues to work in what way she can towards that. Now, at 23, I think she has perspective and experience far beyond her years. I am glad to know her, and am inspired by her strength, conviction, and bravery.