enote 52 March 16, 2009
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I am writing this enote from a Bangkok hotel on our
last day before returning home. Since our last message we have
finished our work in Mae Sot, taken a holiday in Burma (our very
first official trip to that country, the source and subject of our
concern for many years), said our goodbyes and finished our
business.
Dr Cynthia Celebrates:
Last month, Dr. Cynthia celebrated twenty years of work at the Mae Tao Clinic. She was gracious in extending her thanks to Liz and I and our organization for helping her in the early days and in continuing to support her school since we started it in 1997. The picture at right shows me receiving an award at the ceremony.
The Last Interview:
On our last day in Mae Sot all of our usual places
visited, our celebration for alumni and seniors finished, having
contacted and interviewed all but one or two students, Pannee
finally called. Fortunately Tomy Kana was there helping us right at
that time, because I was unable to understand a word she said. He
took the phone, discovered who she was and was able to tell her that
now today was the only chance she had to do her interview because we
were leaving the following morning. Could she get to our hotel
today? “Well, yes, but was there any one to help translate?” Tomy
said if she could not find another, he would be willing to do that.
A few hours later Pannee arrived, and Liz called Tomy for help. And
so it was that Pannee was able to complete her required interview.
I returned to find Tomy leaving the hotel after the interview, and
he told me that Pannee was a very poor young woman, but very lucky
because she had just made the interview at the last possible time
and at a time when he could help. I went up to the room and saw Liz
who told me the interview was a very emotional experience. The
depths of her poverty and her need were very clear to Liz and to
Tomy, and after Tomy had left as Pannee herself was leaving, she
hesitated at the door, turned around, came back to Liz, and said,
“God bless you”. Liz held out her arms, they both embraced and Liz
cried.
Moments like these are our special rewards.
Kudo's from a favorite couple:
Our visit to Burma was largely a tourist trip. We hit
some of the usual highlights including Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan,
Inlay Lake and Pago, but we did make a short trip to Thwante to see
the work of Curt and Cathy and to visit them in Sagaing. Our
friendship with Curt and Cathy goes back to our early days in Mae
Sot where they stopped by on a bicycle journey around the world.
They met the refugees, became acquainted with their story, and
sought to help them in many ways. Eventually they developed a
process for making ceramic filters capable of purifying water so
that it was safe to drink.
Since then under the auspices of an organization they founded called
Thirst Aid —check it out on the internet, it’s
worthwhile— they have established five factories in
Burma and are starting up another, and have
plans for more. Curt and Cathy are retired engineers and Liz and I
think they represent the best of what bright,
energetic, committed Americans can do in this world of great need.
Actually it is a mutual admiration relationship as
there following comment shows.
Hi Tom and Liz,
Thanks again for making all the effort to see our projects in Twante
and Sagaing – we are truly honored. After you two left Cathy and I
were riding back to the project site and we both agreed that you two
are perhaps the best role models we could imagine and that you’ve
really served as a true inspiration to us since we first met so many
years ago. In short, we hope to someday grow up and be just like
you! ...
All our best and thanks again,
cnc
Thank you Curt & Cathy, we think you are pretty special too. Those interested in Curt & Cathy’s work are invited to look at Thirst Aid.
Activities:
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Feb. 20: Visited St. John's Orphanage at Mae Hla and met with two IDP project directors. Visited No Boh.
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Feb. 21: Visit Maw Kwee & Kler Day and discuss program for next year.
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Feb. 22: Farewell breakfast with Alyson, Barbara and Janice at Dave's.
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Feb. 23: Last Day in Mae Sot. Interview with Pannee described above.
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Feb. 24: To Pitsanulok. Interviewed student nurses at Boromarajonie.
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Feb. 25: One last student interview then on to Bangkok.
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Feb. 27: Last day with granddaughter Erin in Bangkok capped with dinner cruise on the river.
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Mar. 04-13: Vacation trip to Burma.
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Mar. 14-16: Meetings with Chris summarizing trip.
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Mar. 17: Return home exhausted by a very long flight. Met in Syracuse by John Novak.
Our best wishes to all of you,
or send a check to
The Brackett Refugee Education Fund, P.O. Box 8 Hamilton, NY 13346
phone (315) 824-3435 thomas.brackett@gmail.com
Copyright © 2009 The Brackett Refugee Education Fund. All rights reserved.