Luan (and her adorable sons)

Many refugees flee their home countries due to civil wars. These internal political conflicts cause political, economic, and social systems to fail, which makes citizens unsafe and, often, oppressed in their own homes. After years of conflict, many choose to leave in country in search of asylum, freedom, and peace.

One of the largest and most vibrant refugee communities comes from a country that has seen the world’s longest running civil war. But, it’s a war you have most likely never heard of. Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) is currently in the midst of a 60 year long civil war, with no less than 15 armed rebel groups active within its borders. Like many of their kind, this war is rooted in complex ethnic conflict. There are more 135 ethnic groups in Burma, and the 15 rebel groups represent these groups as well as different political factions that seek to challenge the Burmese government and save their own communities. Many rebel groups say that taking up arms and fighting is the only way to protect their ethnic group from the corrupt regime. Of course, this ethnic tension leads to increased political violence across all groups.

This conflict is the reason why Luan, a former refugee, decided to leave Burma and seek refugee status. She left her country nine years ago and like all refugees, her journey was not easy. First, her husband left Burma for Malaysia to apply for refugee status for both her and his wife. Once approved, Luan was able to leave Burma. Her and her husband spent the next two years in Malaysia, awaiting third country resettlement. Finally, they were granted asylum in the United States and, through the International Rescue Committee (IRC), were successfully resettled in Phoenix, Arizona.

Through the U.S. government and IRC, Luan and her husband received three months rent and help securing entry level jobs. Luan worked in housekeeping. Like many refugees, she says that the hardest thing about coming to the U.S. was the language barrier. She also had no car, and it took her two hours to get to work using public transportation, a journey made all the more difficult by the fact that she spoke almost no English.

During this time, Luan and her husband rented an apartment in a complex owned by Georgia Sepic, who uses her real estate power to help refugees. Luan says that Georgia was critical to her success in America. “She always helped me”, Luan said with a big smile. Georgia encouraged Luan register for ESL classes and also helped Luan take care of her two sons, Gin Khan (5 years) and Pau Khup (2 years). With the help of friends like Georgia, and her own strength and resolve, Luan says her situation slowly got better. She learned English, continued to keep a steady job, raised her kids, and bought a car. There are two major milestones in Luan’s life in America. In 2014, she and her husband became homeowners. And in 2015, she became an American citizen.

Luan’s story is only one of the many success stories from the Burmese community, which continues to thrive in Phoenix. When given freedom, time, and support, it is amazing how people can rise up from adversity and make their lives better. Luan would like to thank the IRC and the American government for helping her come to the U.S. and contributing to her beautiful and successful story.

Learn more about the conflict in Myanmar here: http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/11/asia/myanmar-shan-rebels-civil-war/index.html

Learn more about the International Rescue Committee here: https://www.rescue.org/

Keep scrolling for portraits of Luan's adorable sons! They are so cute, in fact, that I wanted to take photos of them all day. But, they were not very interested in me, so you’ll have to make due with the six portraits I captured of these cutie pies.