Myanmar is one of the poorest nations in Asia, ranked 145 out of 188 on the Human Development Index (2016).
Kawthaung (known in colonial times as Victoria Point), is Myanmar’s southernmost town. An important trading point with many people often making the 20-minute trip across the water from the Thai border town of Ranong for a visa run or a bit of sightseeing and shopping. Myanmar is home to a great array of ethnicities, religions and cultures. Burmese people do not say they are Burmese, they say they are Shan, or Karen, or Rohingya, indicating the ethnic group they belong to within Myanmar. This was evident in Kawthaung were tens of thousands of internal migrants and refugees call home. But beneath this seemingly easy going lifestyle lies a frontier town which is a hotbed of human trafficking and houses a desperate population who often move between the two border towns in search of new opportunities to stave off destitution.
The RNDM Sisters have been working in Kawthaung since 2011 and their focus is education, particularly with vulnerable women and children. Specifically, sex trafficking of women and children is common and men from Kawthaung are used as slave labour by Thai fishing companies and often spend months at sea which leaves mothers alone with children.
The RNDM Sisters have four main projects:
- Sewing project provides skills training to vulnerable women and then offers employment. At present there are 15 young women learning sewing and 10 working at the centre.
- Education tuition is provided after school so the students can gain help with their school work. Classes are offered and Saturday and a meal is provided to encourage the children to attend rather than idle in Kawthaung and become victim of trafficking. 45 children currently attend.
- HIV/AIDS clinic for 30 patients. This program is partnered with the Marist Fathers in Ranong and they send patients across the border for blood tests and medical check-ups by Thai Doctors.
- General health clinic for 300 patients
Recently, Ashley Bulgareli (AMS Project Coordinator) visited the RNDM Sisters to see firsthand their work in the community (From the field: Kawthaung, Myanmar). Central to their work is the partnership with Lenity Australia and Medacross, Turin for which has provided a generous donation to continue the RNDM Sisters vital work. This work sees women, vulnerable adults and teenagers, young girls and boys given the opportunity to become confident and self-sufficient. They can continue to develop skills and an expertise in a particular field and this enables them to seek work and a livelihood.