G’day friends,

Here in no-man’s land between Burma and Thailand are literally the margins of society. We’re a few kilometres west of the most western town in Thailand. On the other side of us just one kilometre east is the waist deep, River Meuy, that separates Thailand and the frontier Burmese town Myawaddy. Rushpast Port is a translation for this place from Thai after the Meuy River that flows past on it’s long journey to the Gulf of Burma. Although this place is technically governed by Thailand it’s populated by Burmese and located on the “wrong” side of the Thai police checkpoints. When we asked in MaeSot where’s the worst place to live around here they warned us not to go to Rushpast Port. There’s a certain greyness in the law on the border. It’s easier for our neighbours to go to a market in Burma from this neighbourhood than to run the checkpoints and go to the MaeSot market in town.

The edges of society are so difficult and complicated to govern that often they’re forgotten and unsupported. Rushpast Port is no exception but it’s also where hope can be found. Unhindered by society’s rules hope can flourish just like the weeds sprouting out of the cracked pavement. Perhaps even like a kingdom described as a mustard bush

Rangoon Institute of Technology was a base for many students fighting with words via speeches at the rallies in 1988 just before the massacre. RIT has been closed down for the last 20 years by the government afraid of student activists. In fact Rangoon universities have all been dispersed in an attempt to prevent students joining together to demand for democracy. The once sought out Burmese education system is now barely functioning. Some of those idealistic tech students found their way to MaeSot years later as teachers.

a brighter future for Sun

It’s today’s youth in Burma who suffer from a lack of opportunity. Sun is from a poor rural farming community and at 20 can barely read and write. He’s not academic but he’s passionate about being a mechanic. On the farm he experienced the unpredictability of nature and the Burmese army. He’s keen to make a livelihood fixing and using machines which he understands more easily. He’s one of the 27 students that joined the Science and Technology Training Centre this week for the start of term. Even though he barely scored any points on the “entrance exam” both the head teacher and I after his interview were keen to have him join. It’s guys like this that just need a break to realise their potential in a practical learning environment.

explaining Mcpherson strut vs torsion bar suspension

At the moment most of my time is spent teaching Mechanics to these tech students each morning in an open air classroom. If we’re not gathered around my ute or motorbike we’ll be sitting down in a circle as I pull apart something mechanical and show them how it works. During one 2 hour class I pulled apart the clutch on my motorbike even though it had been slipping badly since a mechanic had replaced a part. In my class I held up a component, the one-way bearing, which fell apart in my hands. Not remembering which way it went back together I assembled it according to a parts diagram from the internet. As I rode away after class I realised the clutch wasn’t slipping any more. I had accidentally fixed the clutch during the class. The “mechanic” had put the one-way bearing in back-to-front. Although I was a mechanical engineer 10 years ago it doesn’t mean I know how to fix stuff. We were taught more about how stuff should work and how to design it. So for both the students and I we’re on a learning journey. Usually I’m looking up resources on the internet the day before class trying to keep one step ahead of the students.

female mechanics for a free burma

Through this Tech School these Burmese students also get a chance to access the Thai education system. In a fortnight we’ll be attending the MaeSot Technical Vocation College. Each evening for 3 hours we’ll be in their workshop learning motorcycle maintenance. I’ll be translating from Thai into English and the headteacher from English to Burmese for those who aren’t strong in English. At the end these students receive a Thai certificate which gives them qualifications to apprentice at one of the motorcycle mechanics around town. The Thai teachers love teaching these students despite the language barrier, as they’re so keen to take hold of any opportunity to learn. Coming from education starved Burma this Tech School on Burma’s doorstep is a source of hope that they can make a livelihood. Perhaps one day they’ll return and take part in developing the industry of a free Burma.

outdoor classroom around my bike

It’s been a joy to get to know this new neighbourhood and to find a role in it like working on motorbikes which I’m passionate about. I’m looking forward to journeying with these students as they complete this 2 year course and the many opportunities to sit around talking about life and bikes. Hopefully I’ll also find a rhythm that works for learning Burmese soon too to help chatting with these guys and neighbours. Thanks too for your support in prayer and finances that helps me to be here in MaeSot trying to be a neighbour of hope. I look forward to seeing many of you soon as I visit Melbourne in the last two weeks of July. I’ll be in touch soon about opportunities to catch up.

Love from your bro in Christ,

Rod.

metal workship prac and income generation

DON'T turn on the ignition!