Twenty Litres of Tears - the Karen journey from Burma to Ireland

Abstract

The journey of the Karen community from Burma to Ireland highlights an extraordinary story of survival, courage and the depths of human endurance in the face of adversity. Forced to flee their deeply divided and war- torn homeland, ninety seven Karen people arrived in Ireland in 2007 to begin a new life, only to be faced with the new challenges of adjusting into a modern, western society. This paper wishes to explore their transition and integration experiences on this difficult journey while also highlighting the nature of conflict faced by Karen people in their native Burma. In order to gain insight into the Karen experience, both primary and secondary research is presented, highlighting common themes around the immigrant perspective. The findings of this paper reveal the unique lived experiences of these individuals. A violent homeland is depicted with many living in fear of the Burmese army. The participants escape to Refugee camps on the Thai Burma border is referred to, highlighting the difficult choices forced upon these individuals. Their triumph over adversity is discussed in their journey to freedom and a new life in Ireland. However new challenges are faced in Ireland such as language barriers, education and for some, discrimination. Attempts to face these new challenges are addressed with reference to the support structures available to the Karen in Ireland.