JUN 6 2021
Saw Wah has faced the most difficult challenges with hope and purpose. Here is his story— and how you can help us welcome more people like saw wah to NWA.
We got to sit down with Saw Wah, one of the newest members of our NWA community, as he shared a bit about his experience coming to the United States and his journey of creating a new life in Northwest Arkansas. Saw is originally from Myanmar and resettled in NWA with Canopy in late 2020. We had the honor of listening as he shared parts of his story, the hardships he has overcome, and the things that brought him hope.
Saw gave us a brief look into his story and the circumstances that brought him to the United States and specifically to Northwest Arkansas.
“When I lived in my village in Myanmar, sometimes the military would come to our village and take the men to force labor, attack us, or even kill villagers. So, how can I live there?
Even now, they’re still doing that in my village. They’ll fly over with the plane and drop bombs on the ground. A lot of people have been killed. The government and the military are fighting and the people in between get hurt. I then became a refugee in Malaysia and was at a refugee camp there from 2008 until 2020.”
When Saw Wah arrived in Arkansas, he did not know anyone. Some of his friends had left to begin their lives in new places before he did, but they were not in Arkansas. He had to leave behind some of his relatives and friends when he came to the US.
“When I lived in Malaysia as a refugee, I had some friends that left before me. They are in different states. I still have some relatives and a sister in Myanmar, but I can’t contact them. The Military has shut down the internet so I don’t know where they are.”
“I still have some relatives and a sister in Myanmar, but I can’t contact them.”
— SAW WAH
Before coming to the United States, Saw Wah was not sure what to expect, but he came with hope. Today, he is thankful for positive things that his new home has brought him- such as healthcare and housing.
“I am a Christian. I believe in Jesus Christ. I think wherever I arrive it’s where Jesus sends me, I will accept it.
I think America is a better place [to live] than Myanmar and Malaysia. When I lived in Malaysia as a refugee, for more than 10 years, I didn’t receive any proof of citizenship. I couldn’t get help for my health like I can in America. Even in Myanmar, I didn’t have anything at all. Our house was burned down by the Military.”
Since arriving in November of 2020, Saw Wah has found the NWA public transportation system a great resource and has received help from some friends he’s made along the way.
“Now, I know how to take the bus everywhere – to Walmart, to Canopy. Bill [my co-sponsor] also helps me a lot. Sometimes when Bill has time he will drive me around. He also has two grandchildren that help me a lot and taught me how to take the bus.”
Saw Wah has big plans to grow professionally as he continues to integrate into his new environment. After attending job training through Canopy, he has secured a job and plans to continue to use his skills in various ways in our community.
“Today, Lyna took me to an interview for a job at [a local grocery store]. But I plan later to invest in a business buying and selling property.”
— SAW WAH
“Today, Lyna [canopy’s employment specialist] took me to an interview for a job at [a local grocery store]. But I plan later to invest in a business buying and selling property.
Then, I want to speak to the people about Jesus Christ as a pastor.”
One of the greatest parts of Saw’s transition into his new community has been his co-sponsor team. Bill, one of the members of Saw’s co-sponsor team, has become a good friend. Through their friendship, Bill has been a great help to Saw as he has gotten acquainted with his new home in Northwest Arkansas. With no family nearby, Saw has also been grateful for Bill’s assistance with a difficult journey dealing with his eyesight.
“Bill is a very good friend to me. Bill is good at helping people and wants to help people. Sometimes he takes me to the park and the mountains to go walking and hiking. He is very nice and a good friend to me.
They also helped celebrate my birthday, which was great for me.
I don’t know what happened with my eyes. I just know I have to wear glasses with very strong lenses. After Canopy took me to the eye clinic, they said I had to have surgery. The doctor said that I need someone to be with me for 24 hours. I don’t have anyone – not a wife, children, or friends. So there is no one to take care of me. After I had eye surgery, I stayed at Bill’s house to recover.
Bill and his wife took care of me, cooked for me and helped me with my eye drops every 4 hours. This happened for 2 surgeries – one for each eye.
My eyesight is so much better than before. So I’m thankful to everyone who helped me— and even the American government who helped pay for this.”
Saw has recently gotten connected with others in our area who have moved to Arkansas from his home country of Myanmar. He is excited that he can make these connections that allow him to hold onto his culture and some of the comforts of feeling at home, even in a new place.
We are so grateful for our new neighbors like Saw. He, along with so many others who have experienced displacement in our community, has brought so much hope, strength, and joy. We are overwhelmed by our gratitude to Saw for being willing to share a part of his story with us, and to our community for making Northwest Arkansas a warm and welcoming place for our new neighbors!
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Do you enjoy reading stories from new community members and learning about their experiences?
Sharing these stories and the experiences of canopy’s households with your network is a great way to start the conversation about why and how we work to create a more welcoming environment in Northwest Arkansas!
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