Cultural Liaison News

Cultural Liaison at MECS

Lily Kingbawl is our Chin Hakha speaking Cultural Liaison Officer who works 3 days per week at MECS providing liaison support through interpreting and translation. Lily is also studying a Bachelor of International Relations at La Trobe University. Recently I sat down with Lily to hear more about the current situation in Myanmar and to understand the outworking of recent events for many of our Chin families here at MECS. Lily was gracious to share her insights and happy for this to be shared with the MECS Community.

Lily, can you briefly update us on the current situation in Myanmar?

Sadly the war is continuing and in recent times seems to be intensifying. Many people still do not even know that the residents of Myanmar experience persecution. There is not a lot of international media coverage given to what is happening in the day-to-day. Airstrikes, although outlawed, are occurring more frequently in recent times and many villages are suffering further due to the damage caused. All houses, crops and belongings are wiped out in an instant. People lack food, shelter and medicine.

What has been the impact of Cyclone Mocha? 

Yes, Cyclone Mocha is something we have all recently heard about in news recently. Myanmar is now in the monsoon season with lots of heavy rain. Cyclone Mocha affected the Rakhine State which borders the south of the Chin State, so it didn’t hit Chin State directly. Many residents of the Chin State haven’t had to work through the direct impact of the cyclone since they live some distance away but an event like this adds to the overall feeling of distress and heightens anxiety. 

How do our Chin Families at MECS continue to feel the impact of these events?

Many of our families still have relatives and close friends living in these conditions in Chin State. There is an enduring feeling of being in high alert and holding our breath wondering when and where the next village will be targeted and whether sad news will come our way. There is always a mixed feeling of immense gratitude that we are here in Australia living safely and rebuilding our lives but also helplessness and sadness for those living in prolonged suffering. There is also a big element of fatigue – the mental and emotional toll is exhausting. We live with a lot of conversations around us which dare to problem solve and ultimately ask the question ‘Will we (our nation) ever get through this?’ We encourage each other that our prayers are our best weapon of defence. God is powerful and God is for His people. He sees the devastation and the heartbreak and wants to restore our nation and people. We also carry a high financial burden. Many of us send money home to family to help with day to day needs and this is on top of the rising costs of life here in Australia.

This week 18-24 June is Refugee Week in Australia. This is a suitable time to seek to understand, to reach out and create a culture of welcome throughout the country and to celebrate positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society. Sharing stories and people to people contact are the best ways for us to truly understand the drivers of why people need to leave their home country and also be a face of welcome and support. The 2023-2025 theme of Refugee Week  is “Finding Freedom”. To learn more about Refugee Week please visit https://www.refugeeweek.org.au/refugee-week-2023-theme-finding-freedom/

Facts:

The top three languages spoken in Maroondah and Yarra Ranges (other than English) are Mandarin, Cantonese, Chin Hakha and Italian. 

The estimated number of residents born in Myanmar/Burma living now in the Maroondah and Yarra Ranges Shire in 3,120.

Ten years is the average number of years residents from Myanmar/Burma have lived in refugee camps before coming to Australia.

Clare Bradbury

Cultural Liaison Coordinator