Written by: Htet Myint
Writer’s Note: As the son of political refugees who sought sanctuary in America in the winter of 1999, my upbringing is firmly embedded in the soil of Burma/Myanmar’s complex history. My parents’ journey shapes my perspective and has ignited my passion for uncovering tales of my homeland. Through my writing, I aim to shine a light on the forgotten narratives of Myanmar’s refugees, weaving threads of resilience and hope to inspire readers.
“Back in those days, there were times when we would go without food. Sometimes we would only be able to eat rice with water and sugar, and that was it,” reminisces Issac Eh, an alumnus of Southern Adventist University. His poignant words offer a glimpse into the harrowing experiences endured by refugees like him.
Southern is a sanctuary of diverse stories. Among them are the stories of two refugees, Isaac Eh and Joseph Htoo, both born in a refugee camp on the border of Myanmar and Thailand, who now call Southern home.
Isaac Eh, a 2022 graduate from Southern with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, vividly recalls his early years in the Mae La camp, located along the border of Myanmar and Thailand, before moving to Fort Wayne, Ind., at the age of 8.
The eldest of four children, he was born in the refugee camp to his mother, Eh Gay, and his father, Eh Dah. Reflecting on his time in such surroundings, Eh vividly remembers living in the bamboo houses, walking to school with friends and helping his mom sell snacks in her shop. He recalls the absence of electricity and having to use torches for light.
“I remember living in the refugee camps a lot more vividly than going to elementary school here in the States, actually,” Eh said.
Describing the unsettling atmosphere in the camps, Eh recalled the regular sound of gunshots and yelling. He shared a particularly harrowing incident where internal conflicts involving the Thai and Burmese military prompted his family to flee into the woods, where they remained for several days before returning to the refugee camp.
“I woke up to people screaming,” Eh said. “My dad came into the house with a machete, and I heard gunshots. Because it wasn’t safe, we had to run back into the woods for a few days.”
“Back in those days, there were times when we would go without food. Sometimes we would only be able to eat rice with water and sugar, and that was it.”
Eh recalled how the sight of soldiers on guard with guns was commonplace for him in the refugee camps.
“I was pretty scared growing up, but I trusted my parents and did whatever they told me to do,” Eh said. “The yelling and shouting became normal. People in the village would be yelling and fighting. This one time I saw a person chop off another person’s hand with a machete. I was about 7 years old when that happened.”
Food was scarce in the refugee camps, according to Eh. He recalls rations delivered sporadically by the Thai government and people lined up behind a truck that would hand out bags of rice. He also recalls missionaries dispersing supplies, bags of food and snacks, which helped lead to his survival.
Political Upheaval
Myanmar’s political landscape has long been defined by military rule and ethnic tensions, despite efforts toward democratic government since gaining independence from British rule in 1948. The brief period of democracy was abruptly halted by General Ne Win’s military coup in 1962, ushering in decades of authoritarian rule marked by the systematic persecution of ethnic minorities, notably the Karen people. The Karen, also known as K’nyaw, primarily located in southeastern Myanmar and along the Thai border, have faced severe oppression and genocidal actions. Particularly under General Ne Win’s regime, the Karen people endured tactics such as forced relocations, forced labor, rape and murder.
In response to these atrocities, the Karen people have engaged in armed conflicts while seeking autonomy within Myanmar’s complex ethnic and political landscape, contributing to the country’s enduring civil war, the world’s longest-running conflict. This struggle intersects with the political upheaval following the 2021 military coup, when the military seized control of the government, detaining State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) after the NLD’s landslide victory in the 2020 elections. The military has alleged rampant fraud.
“I woke up to people screaming. My dad came into the house with a machete, and I heard gunshots. Because it wasn’t safe, we had to run back into the woods for a few days.”
The coup marked a severe setback for Myanmar’s already fragile journey toward democracy, sparking widespread domestic and international condemnation. For the Karen and other ethnic minorities, the coup added another layer of complexity to their long-standing conflicts. Some ethnic armed organizations, including those from the Karen community, intensified their opposition against the military regime, leading to renewed clashes and further instability.
“Now personally for me, I hate when people start yelling. It makes me feel anxious, jittery; it’s probably a form of PTSD.”
The refugee population from Myanmar has surged due to ongoing displacement and humanitarian crises. In 2017, around 86,000 predominantly Karen refugees were recorded in nine main camps along the Thai-Myanmar border. Additionally, between 2006 and 2017, 109,402 refugees from these camps were resettled in third countries, including the United States, according to The Border Consortium. This number has continued to rise following the 2021 coup d’état.
A New Life
Eh arrived in America in 2007 with his mother, father and two siblings, Peeter and Eh Htee. They are among more than 35,000 people from varying ethnic backgrounds originating from Myanmar who call Indiana home, according to statistics reported in the Indiana Capital Chronicle. Immigrants from Myanmar account for 80% of all refugees arriving since 2007 in Indiana.
Contrasting life in Indiana with his time in the refugee camps, Eh noted the ease of affording food, emphasizing his family’s newfound ability to consistently enjoy meals without anxiety.
When asked about the effects of trauma experienced while living in the refugee camp, he said, “Now personally for me, I hate when people start yelling. It makes me feel anxious, jittery; it’s probably a form of PTSD. Everytime someone starts yelling, even if it’s within my relationship, if she even starts talking with a loud tone of voice, I have to step out and take a breath.”
He also shared the effects that growing up amid so much violence has had on his family.
“I noticed my brother and I were very violent growing up,” Eh said. “We would get into fights. The violence was all that we were used to growing up in the camps. We grew out of that eventually.”
Eh credited his journey of healing to the guidance and support of mentors and teachers he encountered along the way. He recalled the profound impact certain individuals had on his life at Aboite Christian School (ACS)and Indiana Academy during elementary and high school, respectively.
Eh is particularly grateful for the influence of a man named Mr. Schultz.
“Especially in the U.S., I wasn’t the most obedient kid,” he said. “There were a lot of family problems at home, but I remember that at ACS he would notice that I would be going through something, and he would check up on me, sometimes more than once a week. He would talk to me, and eventually, I opened up about life. There were also times he would open up his home to my siblings and [me].”
“We would get into fights. The violence was all that we were used to growing up in the camps. We grew out of that eventually.”
In addition, Eh mentioned the pivotal role of Mr. Riechert at Indiana Academy, particularly in addressing the violence prevalent in his family.
“Mr. Riechert and Mr. Schultz were father figures to me,” he said. “They helped me with my discipline and emotional control. There were times I would talk to Riechert about feelings, outbursts of thoughts, and he would help me.”
Eh’s path eventually led him to Southern, but it wasn’t a direct route. When choosing a college, he opted for Indiana University for its affordability but desired to stay connected to the Adventist world. After being baptized his junior year of high school, Eh began his college journey, eventually feeling drawn to serve as a student missionary. After serving in Micronesia for a year, he sought a school and environment better aligned with his beliefs, because he missed the Adventist atmosphere.
Looking ahead, Eh plans to pursue further education in nurse anesthesia while also seeking medical mission trips.
Overcoming Obstacles
Joseph Htoo’s journey from the Mae La refugee camp to Southern is another testament of resilience and faith. A junior theology major, his family resettled in Utica, N.Y. An alumnus of Union Springs Academy, he attributes his family’s success to help from sponsors and fellow church members at Utica International Seventh-day Adventist Church.
“Facing discrimination due to their religious beliefs, Htoo’s family sought refuge in 2000 at the Mae La refugee camp.”
Htoo arrived in America when he was only 4 years old. The youngest of four children, he was also born in the Mae La refugee camp. He remembers being in a pre-kindergarten class at the refugee camp.
As refugees, Htoo’s family faced uncertainty about their future in the United States. Htoo explained how, unsure of the entire resettlement process, they simply followed the protocol of signing up, receiving vaccinations and ensuring that their ID and shots were up-to-date. Unfortunately, Htoo’s grandmother couldn’t join them in the United States, because she had left the camp and therefore couldn’t fulfill the vaccination requirements.
“Basic tasks such as taking out the trash forced a learning curve, and they had no prior knowledge of household items such as bed sheets and matresses.”
Htoo also shared the history of his family’s origins in Ohn Daw, a village in Karen State in Myanmar, where his great-grandmother had been baptized by Eric B. Hare, a celebrated Adventist missionary. His grandmother worked under Hare’s son, who returned to Myanmar after World War II, as a caretaker for his kids.
Reflecting on his mother’s hardships, Htoo revealed that malnutrition had resulted in her small stature, so she prioritized feeding her children well, despite the challenges of obtaining balanced nutrition in the camp, where they relied mainly on rice and vegetables.
The decision to leave Ohn Daw stemmed from religious persecution, as Buddhist authorities took control and destroyed churches and schools. Facing discrimination due to their religious beliefs, Htoo’s family sought refuge in 2000 at the Mae La refugee camp, where they hoped for a safer and more stable environment.
After seeking asylum in Upstate New York in November, Htoo’s family encountered unexpected challenges adapting to their new environment. Accustomed to a different climate, they were bewildered by their first glimpse of snow falling from the sky. Basic tasks such as taking out the trash forced a learning curve, and they had no prior knowledge of household items such as bed sheets and mattresses.
The family received support from the city of Utica’s ESL program. Social workers assisted with job placement during the six-month program, while church members volunteered as designated drivers to transport them to church. The parents, unfamiliar with the language and struggling to find work due to their lack of education, faced particular challenges. Htoo’s mother eventually secured a cleaning job at a casino in 2011, while his father worked various jobs, including as a nursing home employee and a quality inspector of aluminum.
Htoo’s mother made Adventist schooling a top priority for her children. From kindergarten through eighth grade, all four siblings received their education in church schools before transitioning to Adventist academies. Htoo and one of his sisters seized the chance to further their education at Adventist universities, with his older sister graduating from La Sierra University in California, while his other siblings opted for public colleges.
“The ethnic cleansing, the civil war [it’s] sad to see, but knowing that God has been good has been a blessing.”
Choosing Southern was influenced by its strong practical theology program, diverse community and abundant scholarship opportunities. Htoo appreciated the internships and connections with conferences offered by the university, which aligned with his future goals in pastoral and refugee ministry. He feels well-represented within the Asian student population at Southern and looks forward to continuing his education and service in various global contexts.
When asked whether his family has healed from the traumas they experienced, he said, “Yes, this past summer my family and I got the opportunity to go back to Thailand; we got to see other relatives still in the camps. The ethnic cleansing, the civil war [it’s] sad to see, but knowing that God has been good has been a blessing.”
