New life in a new home: Moo Ra Win, a single mom, who lives for her children

Bangkok, Thailand, 1 July (UNHCR) - A rainy day may seem very depressive for most people but not for Moo Ra Win, 21 years old single mother and her two young children who are going to resettle in the United States of America on 6th July with support from UNHCR donors.

UNCHR staff greets Eh De Moo Ku Paw Hen, three years old, at Tham Hin Camp, Ratchaburi Province ©UNHCR/S. Bhukittikul

Moo Ra Win and her family are Karen who fled their hometown in Tanintharyi, Myanmar due to the armed conflicts. She was only three years old when she became a refugee. Even though she couldn’t remember what happened at that time, that incidence has changed her life ever since. After her mother died of giving birth to her last child, Moo Ra Win grew up with her father and grandparents. Later at the camp, she got married with Ku Htoo, a refugee who lives in the same camp. Thy have two children who are Eh De Moo Ku Paw Hen, three year-old daughter, and Roe Bay Htoo, two year-old son. Unfortunately, in May 2003, Moo Ra Win and Ku Htoo got divorced.  Moo Ra Win has been the head of household since then.

Moo Ra Win and her daughter, three years old Eh De Moo Ku Paw Hen, at their house in Ban Tham Hin Camp, Ratchaburi Province. ©UNHCR/P. Tonjunpong

Being a single mother who has to take care of young children is a difficult task for her. She also has to look after her parents. To take a very good care of her family, she does everything to earn little income for her children and family such as sewing pillows, selling rice congee, and other part time jobs. She said, “to be single mom is difficult but I have to be strong and never give up for my children”.

Since she learnt about UNHCR Resettlement Program, she decided to apply for resettlement to the United States of America immediately. This decision was not easy for her as she doesn’t know the country and language but she did it for her family. “I do not know what it would be like to live in the United States of America but what I know is my children will get better opportunity and education, and my hope is that I would be able to work and send back the money to my grandparents,” Moo Ra Win said.

Roe Bay Htoo, two years old, is sitting with his grandmother at their house in Tham Hin Camp, Ratchaburi Province. ©UNHCR/P. Tonjunpong

Recently, Moo Ra Win and her children got accepted to resettle in the United States of America and will depart on July 6, 2015. “I am excited and happy but I don’t feel quite ready because I can’t speak the language. What I hold on to is my children education and the opportunity they will receive. They are the reasons why I want to resettle,” Moo Ra Win said with smiles.

Tham Hin refugee camp is the shelters for over 6,000 refugees. Since 2005, UNHCR has supported almost 7,000 refugees to being resettled in third countries. The success is because the continuous support from UNHCR donors.