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Soe's Family   Errol's Family

Updates from the ZCO Burmese Family Coordinator Nan Whitaker-Emrich**

**To receive regular updates about this family, and other ZCO news, email Carrie and ask to be put on the listserve.

6/15/08:
Bill Coddington, Carrie Sneider, Allen and I just saw the new family at SOAR for the first time.  After our meeting Allen and I spent most of the day with them.  Soe Myint (42) arrived Thursday night from Burma with Kyi Win (33) his wife and their daughter, Dah Ler Paw (21 months).  Soe was born in the countryside and grew up "without an education".  He herded cows until his early teens for his father who was a farmer.  He went to live in Bangkok at 16 and has lived there working as a carpenter, mason and electrician.  He lived in the Umpiem Camp in Thailand for two years.  Soe's native language is Karen.  His wife, Win, lost her mother at birth.  She reads and writes Burmese which is her native language.  She lived with Buddhist nuns until she was 17 years old and then with her Aunts until 2002.  She met Soe in Bangkok in 2002 and they were married.  She has been employed for one year in a clothing factory doing ironing.  Neither speak any English.  Dah Ler is about as bouncy a young person as you could imagine seeing after a round the world trip.  Carrie brought beads and toys to keep her occupied through mountains of paper signing.  And she got lots of pictures!  All three of them seem to be in good health.  They were all animated, interested in the world around them despite the shockingly long journey and the obvious culture shock.  Soe, Win and Pur will be staying with Errol for the next one-two months.  We will hold off on finding a temporary apartment to give them some time to settle in. They will enjoy the support and comfort of Errol's family while they get acclimated. 

We were accompanied throughout the first meeting by Moses Rain (40-ish) who has been in this country for seven days and speaks excellent English, Burmese and Thai. Since he had already been through the SOAR system and thru Social Security, he was a great help getting the family through the process.  Moses was brought up in the Church of England, and had early schooling in English.  He told us that he had been active in the resistance movement against the current Burmese regime and that it was no longer possible for him to make a living in Burma.  He was also sponsored by Errol's father-in-law and he is staying with them as well. Moses will probably test out of IRCO's ESL classes next week and will be looking for a job ASAP.  Since he arrived alone, his finances are even tighter than the families that we are assisting.

Soe and Win will spend the next week in medical and social service appointments.  Their first meetings with IRCO for ESL, employment and bus travel will begin their second week here and continue until they are employed (and for several months after).  Pur will stay with Sarah's father's wife who is certified as a child care provider while the parents are going to classes and appointments. 

Because the State Department regulations for refugee finances are very complicated, I do not as yet know how we will assist this family without jeopardizing their other monies.  I will be talking with SOAR tomorrow about what can be done and what not.  I will also talk with Errol today about what equipment the family may need immediately. 

6/05/08:
We will need to find a short term apartment for the new family arriving June 12th.  We have been told by the apartment complex that a place will not be ready for them until August at the earliest; and it is worth the work of two temporary situations so that they can finally be with their community. We have time to find it since they have a temporary home with Ngwe Tin. 

I have also heard that Errol is in intensive care for a liver problem.  The receptionist at SOAR who is Burmese visited with him yesterday and says that he is in good spirits.  Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. While she was visiting, Olga was enrolling the children in a summer program that will be focused on their English skills and will help with childcare now that Sarah has a job--beginning today--at a local hotel.  These SOAR people are certainly amazing.

Please let me know of any apartment possibilities in the SE 28th and Rhone neighborhood.  The family is required by the federal rules to have a one bedroom.  We will be supplementing their income because their monthly allotment is so small prior to their employment.  It will be extremely valuable for this family to stay close to Errol's family for companionship and support, including childcare for the little one.

6/04/08:
The arriving family is made up of a man and his wife and their 2 year old girl.  We will be doing much more for this family than the last as we will be their only sponsor.

The family will be greeted by Ngwe Tin (a sponsor with us for this family) at the airport.  Ngwe Tim (pronounced?? Nawetine as one word) is Sarah's father and the father-in-law of Errol.  The new arrivals will stay with their family for the first two months, until a more permanent home can be found.  

Friday, June 13th will be the first meeting with the family at the SOAR office. We will get introduced and make initial plans for driving and future support.  Please let me know if you can come.  I will let you know the exact time as soon as I know. 

We will be driving the family to their appointments with Social Security, doctors, SOAR, etc.  There are usually about 10-12 appointments in the first two weeks.  Please let me know at what times you might be free to drive. The more drivers, the easier the load for everyone.  We will also need to supplement income for this couple as they have no relatives here and their income from the government will be considerably less than Errol and Sarah's.  We will know more about this soon.  We will also be furnishing their apartment (so let me know if you have any furniture to donate).

Information about this new family is scarce.  They lived in the same refugee camp as Errol and Sarah and their family.  Neither one knows any English.  The father has worked as a day laborer and a carpenter.   The mother has no known work history.  The child will be two on the 8th of August.  Perhaps we can give a birthday party??!!  The family belongs to the same church as our other family and so will have considerable emotional and psychological support from that source.  Ngwe Tin's wife is a licensed child care provider and will most probably take care of the toddler while her parents are in ESL classes and working.  This is an invaluable gift for the new family.

At the Friday meeting they will get a check for a considerable amount that is a one time gift.  However, they may need coats, shoes, etc. before this check.  I will be calling Errol to ask what is the immediate material support that this new family needs.  And I will send out a request as soon as I have that information. 

I will send information out on the listserve on a regular basis.  Please feel free to respond using the listserve** or to contact me (Nan) here. 

 

 

 

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Updated: May 16, 2008
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