Ba Dauk Yeik, a single father, received cash support to open a small grocery shop, helping him provide for his daughter and build a brighter future for them both.

Pa Dauk Yeik, a 41-year-old from Hpa An in Karen State, has faced numerous challenges in his life. Currently, his two children are living with their grandmother. Pa Dauk Yeik worked in Thailand for four years, having migrated irregularly with a friend through a broker who ultimately scammed him. For the first three months, the broker took his salary, leaving him with nothing.  "I was happy hoping at the end of the month I would get the salary," Pa Dauk Yeik recalls.

After this initial setback, he found another job with friends, but the situation remained dire. They often did not receive their full wages, and some days, he only received half of what he was owed and language barriers and financial difficulties made it hard for him to get by. After four years of struggle, he decided to return to Myanmar. However, coming back proved even more challenging.  "Some days I did not get to eat a meal, and the most decent meal was instant noodles," he says.  To avoid local conflict pressures, he moved to another village, leading to a period of severe hardship. During this time, he turned to alcohol, which led to his divorce and further despair.

As a return migrant, he found himself lost and unsure of his future.  A turning point in Pa Dauk Yeik's life was the support of a friend who helped him both in Thailand and on his return to Myanmar. He remembers telling his friend, "I just want to provide a stable life for my children." His friend's assistance extended to introducing him to someone who offered him a place to stay, where they built a tent on an empty plot of land. 

 

Ba Dauk Yeik, a single father, received cash support to open a small grocery shop, helping him provide for his daughter and build a brighter future for them both.

IOM and partner in Kayin that’s supporting migrant communities, which became a life-changing moment. With cash support, Pa Dauk Yeik was able to open a small grocery shop to support his two children. He now earns 50,000 MMK a day and saves 6,000 MMK daily for his children's school fees.  "Receiving support has been a lifeline for me. The help has allowed me to stand on my own feet again," he expresses with gratitude. 

Pa Dauk Yeik is gradually getting closer to reuniting with his children. Although it may take some time, he is hopeful. He plans to breed frogs and chickens during the rainy season to increase his income, leveraging skills he acquired while working in Thailand. Although running the store is challenging due to fluctuating prices, he proudly saves 6,000 MMK every day. 

Now, each morning, he wakes up with purpose, and every night, he adds his savings to his piggy bank, thankful for the support he received. "If it wasn't for my friend, I wouldn't have known about the support. There should be more support that migrants can reach out to easily," he emphasizes. He believes that return migrants face significant challenges and would greatly benefit from accessible support programs that help them rebuild their lives. Many are unaware that such assistance exists, so it is crucial to raise awareness and make these resources more reachable.

 

 

 

*Note: The South-East is one of the areas of Myanmar most affected by the current political instability. Ba Dauk Yeik is one of over 34,000 internally displaced and vulnerable individuals in Kayin that IOM and partner have assisted with funding support from the Livelihoods and Food Security Fund (LIFT).

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