I was born in Myanmar. At the age of 9, I fled the genocide in Myanmar with my family, and we became refugees in Thailand. I lived in a refugee camp for 10 years. We crammed in our little tents not two feet from the next one. Thousands upon thousands of people lived there. Conditions were not clean either. The air made it hard to breathe and the lack of sanitation made the environment miserable. We lived on rations of a small cup of rice, salt, and oil each day or whatever we could gather together.
As a kid, I didn’t know what to think, but I learned to trust God even when I didn’t understand. I inherited this belief from my mother, as I watched her day-to-day life, praying in the morning to ask God to carry us through the day and again in the evening thanking him for keeping us safe. I realized how wonderful our God is and how he helped my mom overcome and persevere through our extreme poverty. That sincere trust in God and His love for us now lives in me.
In 2005–2006, the UNHCR [United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees] came to the camp — they saw the situation there. They saw the conditions; they started to take people to third countries, and I came with my young wife to America in 2007.
When we first arrived, we didn’t not know the neighborhood or America, but Urban Vision soon approached us and provided us with a safe social space, educational resources, and help living and proclaiming Jesus Christ as our true savior. Soon, our whole family became involved. My eldest started before she was in school and continued through 10th grade. She still loves to come help in any way possible because Urban Vision instilled the mindset of servant leadership in her. My two sons went through the On Your Mark preschool program and are still a part of the afterschool program. Urban Vision has implanted the mindset of a servant leader, and they continue to grow in the behaviors and character that I always wanted to see as a father. I am proud of them and proud of what UV has done for them. I know that other parents feel the same as I do.
I wanted to get involved in the work for Christ at Urban Vision. I first started off as a board member, but then a few months later God opened a door for me to start working here. There is no better feeling than having the opportunity to work at your favorite place. I never thought working at UV would have been possible for me in any way, but I always say, “Where there is no hope, God can help.”
Though I have only begun to work at Urban Vision, I have seen how Urban Vision makes an impact. For example, many children feel proud of themselves when they can buy a Christmas gift at the Christmas Store for themselves and their loved ones without having to ask their parents. I can see the power of self-confidence. Presents are good but they are being taught that loving and caring for one another is more important and they do believe that. You see it when interacting with one another.
I look forward to being the bridge between the Karen community, other refugees, and Urban Vision, especially by coming alongside the parents. I see a divide between the parents who came here as adults and the kids being raised in America. I work to see mutual understanding between parent and child so that the child’s future will benefit and live in a stronger North Hill community. My vision is a deep partnership between Urban Vision and community parents so that students will be empowered to live God’s plan for them.
Thanks to all of you who support us and make this work possible!