The Arakanese
Kids
"
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139 : 23
Arakanese, is an ethnic group scattered in the Arakan coastal region of Myanmar (Burma), in the state of Rakhine. Most Arakanese speaks an unusual variety of the Burmese language. These ethnic groups are mainly in the townships of Sittwe, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Mrauk U, Kyauk Phyu, Man Aung, Taunggup, and Thandwe. Almost all of the Rakhine people are staunch Buddhists.
There is a little refuge camp in the village that most of the people don't know except locals, and this is where I am spending my afternoon.
I didn't have access to the Rohingya refugee camps and its kids, but I would like to dedicate this journal and these photos to all kids from all refugee camps.
It doesn't matter if you are from a different faith to mine or different skin colour. I promise you that I am not here to judge you or to influence you in any way.
I am here because you are the future of humanity and for the love for one another.
Have you ever been cold in the middle of the night?
Have you ever wonder what tomorrow brings?
Have you ever been so hungry that your tummy hurts?
The room is dark and the wall is thin. The Arakan child sits on the floor. The wind howls in through the broken door.
Please, sir, my bowl is empty and it's almost midday
Naked in the Neighborhood
I'm at home all alone
Do you see me in the shade? This is my crib if you know what I mean with no paved roads and bright city lights. for water, we go that extra mile
Brothers
" I saw my brother cry today.
He wants milk and I have one and he is only three, so I gave mine,
He is happy I see it in his eyes. "
A happy child am I
All is not grim, this little house is full of life with a family of five. Cute kids with chubby cheeks, youngest to the oldest and Thanakha on there faces. The laughter fills the house with simple things in life that we take for granted.
T-Shirt
"Do you see me sir ? do you?
look at me do you see me now with my new t-shirt "
Things I Know
Me
Dreams
Hope
Tomorrow
Band of Brothers
The sparks in your eyes are the stars that arise, the sun on your face is the love caught in grace.
- Unknown
'"Please, sir, may I have some more please?"
- Oliver Twist - Charles Dikens
Smile
You may not know your purpose, but you do have one. It's not your fault that you were born on the other side of the world; we are all here for a reason. So don't compare yourself to another as someone once told me, there is no comparison between the Sun and the Moon they shine when it's their time.
9th Jan 2020
Arakan Refugee Camp
Mrauk-U
Myanmar