Category: Human rights

The Migrant’s Plight

January 7, 2018

Teaching Burmese migrants here in Thailand, I hear of their stories, their struggles and their aspirations: their predicament often dominates my thoughts. While working with a migrant population is a new experience for me, migration itself is woven into my heritage. Aotearoa/New Zealand, where I grew up, is a country founded on migration. My ancestors predominantly … More The Migrant’s Plight

The Guilt of Privilege

December 27, 2017

The student’s caring bespectacled eyes beckoned me, “Teacher! Come and have some of my lunch. Please!” Dishes of vegetable, chicken and rice were quickly exhibited. “Oh thanks! But, I already have my lunch,” I replied. Some two hours later, having changed out of my teacher’s uniform, I was wandering through school carrying a small backpack. “Teacher! Where are you … More The Guilt of Privilege

Stop Where You Are

December 5, 2017

“Stop where you are Under fading stars This is the world we’ve made There is no better place, it’s true Light a fire where you are” (“Stop Where You Are” by Corinne Bailey Rae (2016)) December 1st. The first day of the last month of the year. The beginning of advent. And World AIDS Day. … More Stop Where You Are

Tangled in the Net

December 3, 2017

Koh Chang? The man points to a boat. 2 o’clock. Ticket on boat. Great, I’m in the right place. Plenty of time to devour my market-bought lunch, sip a fresh coconut and observe pier happenings. An hour or so later, I clamber on board a long tail boat, sit on a wooden plank perched above bags … More Tangled in the Net