I was sitting and conversing with a young woman whose bravery and dedication to her people surpassed anything I could comprehend. What do you say to someone whose relatively short life has been filled with so much stress and pain that smuggling medical supplies through a land-mine ridden jungle war-zone is just normal?
This is what I said (abridged)
"So did alot of your family resettle?"
-My parents and little brother and sister resettled to Canada. My older brother is in Nebraska.
"Did you choose to stay in Thailand?"
-Yes. (staring blankly off into space)
"So, do you have an ID card to work in Thailand? How do you live here?"
-Yes, I have a work permit (still staring)
"Oh good. I know it can be hard to get them"
-Yes, this is confidential. I used to get arrest every day. I bought my ID, paid money. That is why I do not resettle
"Do you plan on staying here in Mae Sot forever? Or maybe only a few years?"
-I dont know. I have to see. I travel alot.
"Really? What for? Around Thailand?"
-I go back and forth between here and Karen state.
"Burma! Across the border? Oh wow. Is that dangerous?"
-Yes, but for Karen people its normal.
"What do you do there? Do you have to walk?"
-We bring supplies, have meetings. We go by foot, by boat, and by walking, but we have gaurds"
"Wow, umm (me staring off into space) thats so brave.... You are so brave. (stare)..... Is the government still attacking the Karen?"
-(She looks me in the eye) Yes. Always.
"You are so brave.... Elve wants to come back to Thailand and be a nurse. Does she want to work with you?"
-All my relatives resettle (pause, thinking) yes. all of them except my grandparents in the Camp and my aunt, my dad's brother, he is still in Karen state. Cannot be resettled.
(I mumble) "so you are alone... lonely....... How often do you go to Karen state?
-Maybe 3 times a year, but for me its more, for special trips. I just got back this morning.
"You just got back -today- wow- thanks for meeting with me. You must be so tired"
-Yes, I am a little sick I think... from walking. We walk full days into the night.
"Through jungle.."
-Yes, on paths, but we have guards. Defense force.
"wow..... What do the Karen people think of Aung San Suu Kyi? Do they care about her?"
-Some, they care, but for me, personally, she can do nothing to help my people.
"Cause she is in prison..."
-Yes, but even if she got out, she could not help my people. Still, I stand in solidarity with her and her struggle as a woman.
Our conversation went on for over an hour. Perhaps equal time talking and sitting in silence staring. I told her stories about her cousins in America. She thanked me, but she never smiled, never laughed, just stayed flat, rigid, and kind. She took some of the photos I brought to give to her aunt (uncle?) in the Karen state on her next trip. I cannot post a picture or her name because she is in Thailand illegally on a fake ID and is also wanted by the Burmese government. I am inspired by her courage, but saddened that she has had need to be so courageous.
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