On the first day my team and I arrived in Hakha, Myanmar, a bold man confidently approached us as we were exploring the town that would be our home. After asking the typical introductory questions, this courageous man, a little more timidly this time, asked if we would be willing to help him learn English. My teammate Helen and I were the first to eagerly and excitedly reply, “Yes! We would love to!” We exchanged phone numbers in order to set up times we could meet, but this persistent man didn’t let the conversation stop here. He continued to ask when we could make time for him and told us he is always available and eager to learn. So, Helen and I set up a time two days later to meet with him. Sunday afternoon at 3pm, we discovered the truth behind this man’s words: He has a fervent desire to learn the English language and is willing to dedicate so much of his time to doing so.
Almost every single day since then, Helen and I have met with Pasui. It’s no mistake that in the Chin Language spoken here, his name means gold; he truly is the golden man. He searches for knowledge the way others would search for gold. He shines with a kindness that is brighter than any gold I have ever seen. Pasui has quickly become so much more than a student: he truly is my friend. My time spent with Pasui is more precious than gold.
I look forward to the hour or two I get to spend with Pasui each day. Our days are always full of different things: working out at the gym, walking laps around the track, exploring the historical sites of Hakha, adventuring to strawberry fields, or simply enjoying coffee and juice at the local coffee shop, but one thing I can always count on is good conversation and lots of laughter.
Each and every day Pasui reaches out to Helen and I ready to learn all that he can. What Pasui doesn’t know, is we look forward to our time spent with him just as much as he does, if not even more! We may be teaching Pasui English, but he is teaching us so much more. Pasui has taught us so much about Chin State, the area of Myanmar where Hakha is located, and Pasui has spent his life. He’s shared local food like a traditional meal called Sabuti with us.
This meal is made of corn meal and pork hearts and livers. It was actually pretty good before we knew what the meat was… He’s told us about their traditions and culture and even shared personal stories with us. We’ve met some of his family and friends, like his niece.
His niece, Vansui, is just as special. She has joined us most days that Pasui has. She has a smile that instantly lights up a room, you can’t help but smile when she does. She is so intelligent and posses the same drive and desire to learn as her uncle. Vansui speaks with grace and detail and always has a perfect joke. She is as sweet as she is sassy. Vansui has become so much more than a student, it almost feels like she’s my older sister.
Even more than all this, our time with Pasui and Vansui has taught me how to value my education and the knowledge I am lucky to have. The importance they place on education and the way they seek after knowledge has given me a new understanding of the privilege it is to have the schooling I do in America. They have taught me what it looks like to value something so much that you will stop at nothing to achieve it.
Dedicated, avid, committed, motivated, and eager are a few words to describe these two and their aspiration to speak perfect English. Kind, hardworking, warmhearted, compassionate, hospitable, and loving are a few of the words I’d choose to describe the friends I have made.
I could never be more thankful for my friend, the golden man, Pasui and all that he has brought to my time here in Myanmar.
– – Pasui, you truly are more precious than gold and your English is phenomenal, no matter how much you think otherwise! I couldn’t imagine Myanmar without you.
