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Errol's Family Profile

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Erroll (57), Sarah (35), Mo (14), Christian (13) and Peter (9) arrived in Portland on Tuesday, March 4th. Prior to moving to the US, Errol had 10 years of schooling and spent 15 years as a medical supply technician in the resistance forces battling the Burmese government.  Sarah has had 5 years of schooling and worked 3 years as a midwife (two of which were in the refuge camps).  They both spent 20 years as internally displaced persons, living in the forests and in the streets.  Their children grew up in these conditions.  Prior to arriving in the US they spent two years in a refugee camp where Errol was the head of security. 

When the family arrived in Portland, our Sangha assisted the family in getting to their required social service appointments (thank you to those who helped with their transportation.) During this time, they received medical exams, social security cards and food stamps. They received information about ESL classes and the children were tested to determine the best way to transition into the public school system. Both Errol and Sarah received training on how to use the bus system and attended their first employment support meeting.

Currently the two older children are enrolled in a summer program in ESL at Marshall High school.  Olga (from SOAR) is looking for a similar opportunity for Peter the youngest child. Olga credits the family structure and good parenting with the achievements in education of all the children. 

Soe's Family Profile

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Soe Myint (42) arrived Thursday, June 12th from Burma with Kyi Win (33) his wife and their daughter, Dah Ler Paw (21 months).  Soe was born in the countryside and grew up without an education.  He herded cows until his early teens for his father who was a farmer.  He went to live in Bangkok at 16 and has lived there working as a carpenter, mason and electrician.  He lived in the Umpiem Camp in Thailand for two years.  Soe's native language is Karen.  His wife, Win, lost her mother at birth.  She reads and writes Burmese which is her native language.  She lived with Buddhist nuns until she was 17 years old and then with her Aunts until 2002.  She met Soe in Bangkok in 2002 and they were married.  She has been employed for one year in a clothing factory doing ironing.  Neither speak any English. 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 

 

Zen Community of Oregon
P.O. Box 368
Clatskanie, OR 97016
(503) 728-0654
Email: info@zendust.org

 

©2006 Zen Community of Oregon
Updated: June 22, 2008
Site by Michelle Bagley