February 2011-- Nuan is 17 years old and about to complete the 10th grade. Although Nuan did not witness war directly, she still suffered from the anti-minority policies in Burma. Her family was fearful and poor enough so that, at age 5, Nuan spent every day burning wood pieces into charcoal to sell on the street.

This history has left in indelible mark on her, and she has remarkable enthusiasm and gratitude for the basic privileges of school, food, and leisure time. The staff say that, if anything, Nuan is “too polite” and reserved. Because of this, the BRP staff has focused on developing a relationship with Nuan based on trust, caring, and consistency-- to show Nuan that some things do last, and that she is valuable and, in their words, “a very lovely and beautiful person. She is very kind—not like the other children are not kind—but Nuan, she will always share and give.”

At home, Nuan helps her family with chores such as tending to the boss’s cows and chickens. She enjoys playing checkers and movies. Still, most of her time with the BRP staff is spent talking—about her life, family, village, friends, and school.

Nuan’s mother died at an early age of “cancer.” We are not sure about this diagnosis because many families also describe cases of leprosy or gangrene as cancer. Although Nuan’s mother came from a prosperous family, Nuan’s father lost most of the family savings through drinking and gambling. He then abandoned the family and now lives in Chiang Mai with his new wife, providing no financial support. He makes no contact with Nuan for years at a time. For a while, Nuan lived with her grandmother while in Burma, who also forced her to work rather than attend school. She now lives with her 27-year-old sister Ying and brother-in-law Yo.

When she first arrived in Thailand in 2001, Nuan was placed in the 1st grade in a public poor children's home and school a few kilometers from her home. This was done because she was living with Ying and Yo in a one-room hut at the time, and there was some tension due to lack of space and privacy. A year later, Ying and Yo were able to build a small cubby room for Nuan, so that she could have her own sleeping space. Nuan then began to attend a closer school, skipping the 2nd grade straight into 3rd. In 2009, Ying and Yo became the first family in the refugee community to save enough money to build a house made out of concrete. Nuan helped Ying and Yo by caring for their 2-year-old son and weaving hammocks, for extra money, almost every day after school. She is the only person in the family to finish primary school.

In 2010, Ying and Yo separated. Nuan’s family continues to be very close to the original BRP social workers, whom she has known for ten years. When Ying and Yo considered separation, for instance, each member of the family approached the BRP staff for advice and counseling. Whenever there is conflict in the house, Nuan speaks to the for respite and support.

Also in 2010, the BRP helped Nuan to move to Chiang Mai and attend a private school, securing a good home environment for her, and guaranteeing that she will receive a decent high school education and a diploma upon completion. (Thai public schools sometimes withhold diplomas from refugee students, even if they finish all work.) Partly because of the BRP, Nuan has expressed pleasure in going to school and living in Thailand.