From Flight to a Future

13th June 2023

There's a strange kind of clarity that comes with having your life upended. One year ago, on this very day, my wife and I embarked on a journey not of our choosing, but of our necessity. We left a place we called home, not with a sense of adventure, but with a profound ache of loss and a desperate hope for safety. This is our story of leaving, and of learning to live again.

The Crisis at Home

Our journey began not with a date on a calendar, but with a whisper of a new world—one where dissent was a crime and silence a survival tactic. Our homeland, Myanmar, once vibrant with the promise of democracy, was swallowed by the darkness of a military coup. Dreams shattered, careers extinguished, and the very ground beneath our feet felt unstable. We learned to live with a constant hum of fear, a soundtrack to our daily lives.

The Turning Point

June 2023 marked a pivotal moment in our lives. I discovered my name listed on an underground military-led Telegram channel—a clear indication that I was being targeted. It was a moment of stark, terrifying realization. The decision to leave was not a choice; it was an act of self-preservation. In the face of a military junta that sought to extinguish every voice of opposition, we chose to be a small flame that refused to be put out.

☝🏽 Medical students and doctors peacefully protesting against military coup were cornered and arrested by brutal soldiers.

The Journey Begins

Our escape was far from easy or straightforward. We traveled from Myanmar to Singapore, then to Dubai, and finally to the United Kingdom, facing a journey filled with challenges that drained us emotionally and financially. However, amidst the turmoil, we found a glimmer of hope. I am eager to share these invaluable experiences with you, so please stay tuned. We had the chance to see the world from a different perspective and, along the way, we encountered incredible new friends who offered us much-needed support and encouragement.

Ground Zero in the UK

October 2023 marked our arrival in the UK, though we did not land together. My wife faced a visa delay and joined me a month later, in November. That period of separation, though brief, was one of the most challenging times for us. Her arrival marked the true beginning of our new lives..

A Fresh Start with the NHS

Securing a job with the NHS, thanks to NES Healthcare, was a significant achievement. It was the first step towards rebuilding our professional lives. The NHS provided a sense of purpose and direction, and I am now on the path to entering the training pathway. This new chapter would not have been possible without the relentless support of my wife. Her strength, optimism, and unwavering belief in us kept me going when I doubted myself.

Gratitude and Hope

My heart swells with gratitude as I reflect on the past year. We are fortunate to have found a new beginning, a privilege not afforded to many who remain. Some, the true heroes, voluntarily stayed to fight for democracy and freedom — to them, I bow my head in profound respect. As we build our new life, we carry the memories of our past and the lessons of our flight. Every echo from our homeland reinforces my duty to their fight. My wife, my steadfast companion, has been the anchor of this journey, and I owe our success to her unwavering faith.

Looking Forward

The future holds promise, and we are ready to embrace it together. We have faced the worst and emerged stronger. Our journey is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of support from loved ones. As we continue to build our lives here in the UK, we carry with us the lessons and experiences that have shaped us over the past year.

Here’s to new beginnings and to the many adventures that lie ahead. Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey. And most importantly, thank you to my incredible wife, who has made it all possible.