Myanmar: A tailor tells her story
Moe Moe Nwe is from Thinbaw Kwei Village in Rakhine State. Her mother passed away when she was young. She’s been the sole breadwinner for her family ever since, caring for her father, who lives with a disability, and her younger brother.
One of her aspirations is to educate children in her community. "My dream is to become a teacher in this remote village and I was certain that I was destined to do so," she says. "It is tough for teachers from other locations to be sent here, so I decided I wanted to become one for the children here."
Moe Moe Nwe was working as a labourer in a brick factory when outbreaks of fighting changed everything. As for many people, the widespread clashes meant putting dreams on hold.
"I was sheltering at a relative's house when a bullet hit my thigh," she explained. Her leg was amputated and she stayed at a monastery in Sittwe with her family. "It was difficult to make a living since I couldn't work to earn money," she says.
Moe Moe Nwe at work
Things started to change after Moe Moe Nwe received a prosthetic leg from an orthopaedic workshop supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Sittwe. Since then, she's been able to take part in another programme supported by the ICRC – a course to help teach people the art of tailoring. "This is my first time learning how to tailor. I can work from home and make a living with this job," Moe Moe Nwe says.
Despite the daily challenges, she remains motivated to face them. "Although I can't work like I used to, I'm thinking of opening a small grocery store and a tailoring shop when I return home," she says.
Moe Moe Nwe's story is unique. But she's not alone. Across Myanmar, we support people from all communities facing similar challenges.
