So much of our world is in turmoil and suffering!!! There are many places in the world experiencing tremendous suffering at the moment … Ukraine, the Middle East, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo to name but just a few.
In Myanmar, we – the Myanmar Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions – are one with our people who have been evacuated for safety’s sake from Sittwe and Thandwe in Rakhine State in the north-west of Myanmar. Our Sisters went there in 1897, and have lived, worked and suffered there for well over 100 years. Their experiences these last few are similar to the experiences people, including our Sisters, went through during the Japanese invasion of our country in 1942.
The Arakan Army (anti-government) advised all the people in Sittwe and Thandwe to leave immediately, warning that as well as troops fighting on the ground, there would disastrous air-raids. In early 2024, Sisters and children left by car and on foot through Taungup Pass, almost 1000 metres above sea level, Sittwe and Thandwe are seaside towns, so a big climb. They had to pass through many police and military check-points, and experienced much anxiety, hunger, thirst, and illnesses.
However, with the help of the church personnel – bishop and priests, sisters and laity – they reached Pyay, more than 600 kilometres south of Sittwe. Their journey took longer than expected as they had to travel on foot to escape the unexpected attacks by the military. They were often hungry, and despite the risks involved from mosquitos, snakes and wild animals, they slept in the jungle, they ate bamboo shoots, banana barks and tender leaves, and collected water from the natural flowing springs they found, and which they safeguarded in their plastic bottles. They had to drop off all the unnecessary things from their back packs in order to travel light because the journey was tough. When the old people and the young children could no longer walk, those who were stronger, carried them on their backs. They dared not enter villages in case they were traced and attacked.
The experienced men brought with them ropes for the younger children and women to help when climbing mountains and hills which were often steep. No matter what the difficulties, they all had kept going, and after three weeks, they reached their destination – our big compound in Pyay.
On their arrival, we wholeheartedly welcomed them and met their pressing needs – lodging, food, medicines and clothing because they had left off such items on the way and some were really tired and sick. After they had rested, we listened attentively to their heart-rending stories. They are sad to leave their homes, their cultivated land, their livestock and their close relatives and neighbours who were unable to flee with them. As I write this, the children are well looked after and are sent to different communities in Pyay and Thayet to continue their life and school education.
We sisters have tried our best for those who are seeking jobs to earn some money. We are helping them to find jobs in the schools, we are putting them in touch with local hotel managers and business people who may be able to offer them employment. They are not familiar with Pyay and look to us for contacts.
At the same time, our hearts go out to those who cannot escape, and remain in their villages where life can be so dangerous. The Way of the Cross is a painful reality for these people indeed.
In all of this, I am encouraged by a picture I have of Mary holding a globe with a cross super-imposed on it. This reminds me of my mission to reach out in mercy and compassion to all creation but above all at this time to those who are refugees here in Myanmar.
I am Noreen Mya Sie. I made my first profession as a Sister of Our Lady of the Missions in 1966. In our province here in Myanmar, I have been involved in teaching, leadership, formation, and at the Catholic Religious Conference of Myanmar (CRCM). I love it that I have been called to the world community of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, and with so many others am committed to bringing about the reign of God in today’s multi-cultural and globalised world.
At present, I am our Province Archivist, and every day I am enriched by learning more about our pioneer sisters, their different ministries and the hardships they endured. Their experiences encourage me to more forward freely and courageously. It is great that I can make this journey with so many others in this age of technological advances.
Thank you very much for sharing the plight and flight of the Sittwe and Tgandwe peoples. Our late Pope Francis in his Easter message encouraged us to seek God in many places. These refugees are far from me but I see through your RNDM sisters, how God’s presence is in such places and people, guiding them to safety and new life in Pyay. All we need to do is look. God is there in many circumstances.
Thank you Linda for your insightful comment – and the reminder of Pope Francis’ Easter message where he encouraged our seeking God in many places.
I am also grateful that you see through the RNDM sisters, “how God’s presence is in such places and people …”.