EDUCATION IS THE ONLY THING THAT CANNOT BE STOLEN FROM US
EDUCATION IS THE ONLY THING THAT CANNOT BE STOLEN FROM US
Joseph monitoring students’ classroom activity. (Photo Credits: Jesuit Refugee Services)
Joseph is currently the Primary School Head Teacher in the Ban Mai Soi refugee camp in Thailand. Under Jesuit Refugee Service’s Mae Hong Son Education project, Joseph was fortunate to have been able to further his studies and eventually became a primary school subject teacher in 2005. He was promoted to deputy head teacher in 2009, and consequently became a head teacher in 2020.
Prior to this, he had only finished his education up to the primary level because there was no middle or high school in his village. His family fled to the Thailand border in 1996 and settled in the refugee camp at Ban Mai Nai Soi. He worked outside of the camp for several years, before returning in 1999 to continue with his education.
Through his experiences, he believes that,
“Education is the only thing that cannot be stolen from us. Education will lead us to peace and reconciliation.”
To him, education is the means to which there can be the development of the country and its people. Having once been a recipient of the education provided in the refugee camp, he is grateful for the opportunity to serve his community now through the same means. As an educator, he wishes to teach well in school and impart knowledge to his students, doing his part to build a more peaceful and better world to live in.
This story is contributed by CHARIS’ Member Organisation, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS). JRS is an international Catholic Organisation with a mission to accompany, serve and advocate on behalf of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons, that they may heal, learn and determine their own future.
To find out more about their work, or explore any causes or activities by them, visit here.