The philosophy of the cultural orientation program focuses on three fundamentals of pedagogy. These being that being you can teach someone knowledge, skills and attitude.  With a total of 25 hours to teach someone what it will be like to live in the United States, the orientation focuses largely on shaping the participant's attitude while introducing them to the knowledge and skills they will need to acquire and develop through numerous exercises and role plays.  

Their new lives in America will be like a puzzle.  They will have to figure out how to put the pieces of their lives together to be successful in their integration.  The participants learn to listen to each other and rely on teamwork to assemble a square out of assorted pieces of paper. 

There are many people who will be able to help the new arrivals and many services they are eligible.  A series of role plays highlight the responsibility of the refugee themselves, the case worker, mutual assistance associations, government services and volunteers.  Particular emphasis is made on helping the participants shift their attitude from relying on assistance from someone else to relying on themselves.  "Who is the first person you can depend on?"  "My Self".  "Who is the next person you can depend on?"  "My case worker."  The lessons include how to be assertive yet patient and how to be proactive, not timid.

One of the primary expectations of the US resettlement program is successful employment.  A significant amount of time is spent describing the types of employment available to refugees and what they can expect in their first job.

 

A wonderful addition to their orientation is the 'My Life Book' which offers participants a chance to tell the story of their life in the camp and their hopes for the future.  They are encouraged to write and draw pictures and to take the book with them to the United States for them to reflect on at a later date.  One of the key questions is 'why did you you choose to resettle?'

Like all groups who sit in class for 5 hours a day, keeping their attention and enthusiasm requires getting up and moving around! These interactive exercises not only get the class moving around, they reinforce the lessons.  Musical chairs helps reinforce that the person who is proactive and assertive will likely find the first job.

There is also a lot of serious material to cover, and once the participants have burned off some energy, they quickly focus on the nextg topic.

Cultural Orientation begins in Mae Sot

The first day of cultural orientation for US bound refugees taught by Bee, a Thai national who has lived in the United States as an exchange student.  Eh Paw Hkeat is our Karen interpreter.  Bee uses English as the language of instruction.

Following the introductions, Bee introduces the class to the diversity of the United States resettlement program and and how each individual will have a different experience depending on which state and community he or she resettles to.  She uses the story of the three blind men who encounter an elephant, the first feeling the trunk, and thinks it is a snake, the second feeling the leg and thinking it is a tree, the last the side of the elephant thinking it is a wall.

Peter is a Burmese interpreter who helps with the class.

He sports a T-shirt that proudly promotes cultural orientation.

One of the first things in the training is to find out what questions the refugees who are to be resettled might have about their pending departure and new life in America.  As the training progresses Bee will address some of their questions.

As the day progresses, the group learns about the diversity of the people who live in America.  President Obama is a favorite.

This young woman learns that even a family like hers can become a part of the American salad bowl.

The class is lively with lots of activity to keep people's interest.  I asked Bee if she has training as an actor!

Simple phrases such as thank you, please, my name is and others are taught.

For some, the anticipation of traveling to the United States can seem daunting.

For others, the excitement is difficult to contain.

Bee tries to keep some from brooding by building their excitement.  Below the class is beginning to 'fly' to their new homes.

There are many serious lessons to be learned.  Bee spends much of her time helping the participants develop a frame of mind that will help them deal with the many challenges ahead.

Training videos that depict life in the US are an important part of the day.

After five solid hours of training, the participants give themselves a round of applause. 

From Bangkok back to Mae Sot (via Chiang Mai)

I'm staying in a lovely little hotel in Chiang Mai just off the river.  I came on the overnight train from Bkk and sat across from an elderly gentleman who told me all about his children, nieces, and nephews, many of whom are living and working in the US.

On Sunday I head for Mae Sot once again.  I am looking forward to the week as I will be attending the full 5 days of the cultural orientation class presented by the International Organization for Migration.

http://www.riversidehousechiangmai.com/

Our last day in Myanmar we had the chance to visit the Irrawaddy Delta and a small village that had been severely effected by Cyclone Nargis. Of the nearly 400 people who inhabited the village, more than 70 had died. Our guides told us that at the height of the tidal surge the water was 20 feet above sea level. The ground level is only 3-4 feet above sea level. Remarkably, the village is beginning to recover - rebuilding the church, a village center, water wells, septic tanks, and the like. As we experienced everywhere in Myanmar, the people were welcoming and hospitable. There was a smile on every face and a real willingness to have their picture taken and tell their story. The Baptists, and many other relief agencies, have focused on providing relief for the Nargis affected region.

To get to the village, about 100 miles from Yangon, took 7 hours. Five hours by vehicle and 2 hours by boat. The following pictures recount a portion of our journey. Enjoy.

The journey begins at 5:30am.

The roads and bridges reflect very little investment in basic infrastructure.




The day's work begins early as well.




The market in Bogale is in full swing by the time we arrive at noon.


The delta region we are heading to...


By boat...


Our travelling companions.




Some of the devastation is still evident.



But we are greeted with warm smiles and waves.


The church where many sought shelter in the attic area.


And pushed up the ceiling tiles to gain access.


A temporary school building.



And a lunch feast (yes, one of the dishes was mouse...)



With so much salt water affecting the fields, the rice yields are very low.


Great big smiles to send us on our way.


Aboard the Myanmar Baptist boat.
The 7 hour journey home begins all over again.