My name is Saw Tun. I am the Engineering Instructor for Earth Mission’s Engineering Technology program. This is my story.
A New Purpose
Simple Times
My childhood was typical. It was peaceful and simple. I am the only child of my parents. My father, my mother, my grandparents, and I all lived in one house. Our house was very full—and very happy! When I was young, my father worked far away in Malaysia to make a living for our family. But when I was 6 years old, he came back to Myanmar to stay with me!
I grew up and went to school in the same city. When I finished school, I went to the engineering university in my city. I chose mechanical engineering because I was interested in it.
I worked for 6 years to earn my degree. But in the final year, when I was 24 years old, COVID happened in Myanmar. I remember the date: March 23, 2020, at exactly 11:00 p.m. The government made a statement that they found a positive COVID test in Myanmar. All of the country’s schools and universities were closed.
I needed to find something to do. In April, I went to the local automotive parts factory. The boss told me I could work permanently in the factory.
In the final year of my degree, I had to write a thesis. So, while I worked in the factory in the nighttime, I researched books and wrote my thesis on car transmission systems during the day. All that was left was the final defense. Once I completed the defense, I could get my degree. Then on February 1, 2021, a military coup happened in my country and I could no longer finish my degree. For almost 2 years I continued to work in the factory, wondering what my future would look like.
A New Path
In October 2022, I got a phone call from my friend. “What are you doing now?” he asked. “I’m working in the same factory,” I told him. Then he asked, “Are you interested to work engineering in Earth Mission?”
“What could I help with?” I asked. I was confused, because everybody wants their engineer to have a degree or certificate. I had no degree or certificate because of the war.
I told my friend, “If Earth Mission wants a degree from me, that is not okay, because I can’t go to the university.” But he persisted: “Okay, but you need to talk with Thera Dan, Earth Mission’s Executive Director.”
In the Karen culture, “Thera” and “Theramu” are terms of respect for men and women, respectively. More precisely, they translate as “teacher.’’ Everyone has something they can learn, and everyone has something they can teach.
I talked with Thera Dan and told him, “I have no degree. But, I think I can help you.” To my surprise, Thera Dan said, “Okay!”
Joining the Mission
I came to work at Earth Mission in November 2022. At first, I was very afraid. This is my first experience working in a foreign place. The new language has been a challenge. I can’t speak English or Thai fluently. I also miss home very much. I had hoped that I would live with my parents for the rest of my life. When I came here, it was the first time I slept alone in the nighttime.
But my worries have disappeared, because here, everybody is very kind to me. All the people have guided me, especially Thera Dan and a few others. They treat me like their own child. I love them. The homesickness is okay now, because almost every night, I video call my parents. We talk for a long time—maybe two hours every night. I’m still having trouble with the Thai language. But it’s okay, because I can use Google translate to communicate.
I got to spend 2 weeks serving at Earth Mission’s jungle clinic. I worked on the trucks we use for the ambulance. I drew the plans for a doctor’s house, and estimated all the materials. I also helped Thera Dan and others build a solar farm. I don’t know much about electricity, so I learned many things from doing that project with them. The solar farm has 24 solar panels that power the new operating room and the doctor’s house.
Building Sustainability Through
Renewable Energy Sources
We identify structures and hospital resources that have the highest drain on power.
Engineers design a plan to replace petroleum fuel consumption with solar electricity.
Engineering students work alongside licensed staff as hands-on training.
Graduated students grow capabilities to bring more sustainable power sources to remote communities.
Now, I am preparing the syllabus and curriculum for the Engineering Tech training. I want to make sure they can learn easily from me. Engineering books are very thick. Instead of giving the students many details, I want to teach them useful lessons and techniques they can use at the clinics in their remote areas.
The engineering program is very important. We need more engineers to maintain and repair medical equipment and vehicles. Most buildings are made with bamboo, but with more engineers, we could build more brick healthcare structures. If buildings are improved, the lives of people in remote areas will also be improved.
Before I came to Earth Mission, I didn’t know what was happening in the ethnic areas. I grew up in the city area, so all the history and news were often misleading. I could only see what the news wanted to show me.
After going to Earth Mission’s jungle clinic, this was my first time in the remote jungle areas of my country. I saw what is happening in the ethnic group areas. It is terrifying how people are treating ethnic groups. I’m sorry for them.
It has been a good experience for me to not just read the news, but to go to the ethnic group area and learn what’s happening and how they feel. I was only in the jungles for 2 weeks, and i’ll never see the ethnic areas the same again.
All I Want to Do is Help
I have a photo of the children from ethnic areas on my phone. When I feel like I have a problem, I look at their photo. Then I remember, I have a little problem. They are the ones with very, very big problems.
I have to learn more things. I want to provide them the development they need for their lives. All I want to do is help. I pray for no more conflict in our country.