Henry offering medical support in the rural villages of Myanmar. Photo: Michael Javier
The pandemic and the political conflict did not permit them to do what they had a right to do. When all the schools were closed, as mandated by the government, they had to stop going to school. Many of these young people lost their hopes and dreams because they could not continue to study. One of them was Henry.
I met Henry when I was assigned to Banmaw, Kachin State, back in 2019. He was a very friendly guy, an English student of one of my companions, who became my language exchange student while I was studying the Kachin language. At that time, he had already graduated from secondary school and was preparing for the matriculation exam. Although smart, he failed the examination and could not proceed to college to take his desired course. He had to wait for another year to retake the exam.
Having a lot of dreams for his future, Henry enrolled in a short medical course in Yangon. He did not want to be bored while waiting to retake the college entrance exam. At that time, government policy was strict because of the various rallies and demonstrations staged by the local people - even gatherings of just a few people were not allowed, and those who gathered could be detained. Henry was living in a shelter where the medical course was offered. Those living in the shelter had to be careful because injured people sometimes came to the shelter seeking help and asking for medication. The residents risked harassment by the government if they were caught helping anyone who had participated in a rally.
On one occasion, the shelter experienced a surprise check by the military. Luckily, the residents managed it well.
A few months after completing the medical course, Henry did on-the-job training in some rural areas. These were not ordinary places. There were many conflicts between local civil groups and government soldiers, and Henry often encountered such conflicts. Bombs sometimes exploded near where the medical team had their tents. Henry helped not only the local people but, under cover of night, also wounded soldiers from the armed civil groups.
During his stay in some villages, Henry met people working for various non-government organisations (NGO), who also helped provide medical support to the people. He made friends with them, and some encouraged him to go abroad. Because of that, he got the courage to risk leaving Myanmar illegally by crossing the border. He eventually reached Thailand, where he sought asylum and stayed in one of the migrant centres. He waited for more than two months, but nothing happened about his request for asylum because he did not have all the required documents. He was advised to go back to Myanmar to get the necessary papers. He could not do anything but return to his country of origin. Fear of being caught by the authorities because of his work made him hesitate to return. However, he decided to go back to his family and quietly try to live as a normal young man.
When I learned that Henry had returned to Myanmar last October 2023, I contacted him and asked him if I could write his story. He told me he was happy for me to share it. He even sent me some “action photos”.
I find it hard to accept that was my last conversation with Henry. In March 2024, I got the shock of my life with the sad news that Henry had passed away due to a complicated illness. He died in the hospital in Banmaw, along with his dream to live happily in a peaceful country. Sadly, he could never taste the freedom that he longed for.
Henry could have easily become bitter and resentful. Instead, in his own quiet and humble way, he fought a good fight without resorting to violence. He was a model son, brother, friend, and servant - a young hero. Like other young people in Myanmar, he did not stop dreaming of a simple and peaceful life despite the greed of those in authority who had robbed them of their youth. May his soul rest in peace.
Now, most of the young people in Myanmar are living in fear because the situation is becoming worse and worse every day. They are afraid they might be forced to become either government military soldiers or members of one of the local armed groups.
We keep praying for the peace of the Risen Christ to reign in Myanmar soon.
Columban lay missionary Michael Javier lives and works in Myanmar.
Listen to "A tribute to an Unsung Hero "
Related links
- Read more from The Far East - November/December 2024
