Soe San Dar’s long journey towards self-reliance
Soe San Dar’s long journey towards self-reliance
“Do you know how old I am? I am three years short to 60 (she laughs). I want all refugees to know that it is possible. If I can do it at this age, then anyone can do it,” says Soe San Dar, reflecting on her experiences.
At the age of 57, Soe San Dar is an inspiration for her family and community. Forced to flee Myanmar in 2009 due to escalating violence, she sought refuge in India with her family. After reaching India, she got herself registered with UNHCR. Her journey in India is a testament to her resilience and determination in the face of forced displacement.
“In a world where age often defines our roles and responsibilities, there exists a powerful force that transcends these boundaries – hope,”
Soe San pursued her education diligently throughout her life, eventually becoming a nursing professional in the healthcare industry. However, when violence in her homeland, the circumstances made it impossible to continue her work, she had to put her professional dreams on hold and flee to India.
“My life was nothing. I am a nursing professional. I hold a professional degree and work as a freelancer in India. I know that there is no future in India, yet I never gave up” she shares.
Working part time as a nurse in India, she faced significant challenges in finding stable housing, employment, and access to healthcare for her family. Despite the challenging circumstances, she remained hopeful for a better future.
A new beginning
Motivated by her professional dreams, and with the support of UNHCR’s partner BOSCO, Soe San registered on the Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) portal in 2023. This gave her a new chance to leverage her nursing skills and find better employment. Her determination successfully guided her through multiple job interviews, and she secured a job offer as a Personal Care Support Worker in Canada.
“My achievements are not mine alone – I always had the support of my family. I am resolute to find a better life for myself and my family,” she says as she hopes that her journey inspires other people from refugee and asylum seeker community to embrace hope and perseverance, regardless of age or personal circumstances.
She now looks forward to helping people through her new job, demonstrating that with access to the right opportunities, refugees and asylum seekers can become self-reliant and contribute positively to their local communities.
