Along the Thai-Myanmar border, refugee youth empower each other to build a better future.

“I love my job!, exclaims Ooh Meh, 23.  “It’s inspiring, and I get to make an impact in children’s lives to change the future of our community.”

Ooh Meh began her new job in 2023 as a Camp-Based Refugee Staff (CBRS) employed by UNHCR’s partner COERR, to strengthen the delivery of Child Protection assistance in the Thailand’s Ban Mai Nai Soi Refugee Camp, part of a project funded by the European Union.

Nestled in the mountains of Mae Hong Son Province in Northern Thailand, Ban Mai Nai Soi is one of nine refugee camps hosting some 90,000 Myanmar refugees along the Thai-Myanmar border, 30% of whom are children.

Ooh Meh’s new role in the camps consists of monitoring the well-being of children living in a boarding house. In her first year as a case worker, she has been assigned to low-risk cases, among whom instances of abuse or violence are unlikely.

The children she works with don’t have specific vulnerabilities, such as physical impairment or mental disorders. Her role is nonetheless crucial to keeping children like Ree Moh safe and healthy.

Ree Moh, 17, is about to leave the boarding house she has been living in since 2017 to enrol in a environmental science studies. Ooh Meh is supporting her through the transition.

“Ooh Meh is so kind and soft-spoken; I greatly enjoy her visit. […] She encourages me in my study. I had been struggling at school, and she helped me so I didn’t fall behind.”

Ree Moh lost her father in 2011, and her mother stayed behind in Myanmar. Being on her own, but having reassurance from Ooh Meh, who discusses daily life as a parent would do, and with whom she can share her fears and hopes for the future, is beneficial.

Before working with COERR, Ooh Meh contributed to another important support mechanism for children in the camp: the Youth Cabinet. This youth-led group is a positive catalyst for community building among children and youth. Border-wide, there are over 324 active members of youth-led groups across the nine refugee camps.

Saw Hser Naw Thaw, 18, joined Tham Hin Youth Cabinet in 2019. Tham Hin is located in Southern Thailand in the Ratchaburi province. Over four years as a member, Saw Hser Naw Thaw has been very invested in the Cabinet’s activities and eventually became responsible for the Sports section.

“The Youth Cabinet is organized around five categories: Environment, Sports, Music, Cleaning, and Communication,” explained Saw Hser Naw Thaw. “For the Sports section, we organize sports activities for the children in front of the school on Friday and Saturday. The objective is to keep them busy with constructive activities when they have spare time so they do not venture into risky places. Then, their parents are reassured that children are safe and profit from activities stimulating their personal development,” Saw Hser Naw Thaw continued.

In addition to entertaining children in the camp, the Youth Cabinets amplify two key campaigns: to prevent substance abuse and improve waste management.

Young refugees themselves requested the design a campaign on substance abuse, to which young people facing mental health struggles are even more vulnerable. As a result, COERR assisted the Youth Cabinet in designing information sessions for them to deliver to their peers.

The waste management sessions primarily target young children who learn valuable skills, good practices and positive habits to recycle waste, reducing it overall and contributing to environmental protection.

As a child, Hser Naw Thaw was exposed early to environmental protection and recycling techniques. He even participated in a recycling design contest.

“We created clothes from recycled material presented during a camp competition for the best-recycled design,” shared Hser Naw Thaw.  “It was enjoyable and fulfilling to create something. I would very much want to develop my knowledge in this field and possibly take it to a professional level”.

Back at Ban Mai Nai Soi Refugee Camp, Ree Moh also hopes to study at a higher level. “I signed up for Social Science as it offers a very general curriculum, but afterward, I truly hope to enrol in a nursing school. This is my dream,” revealed Reeh Moh. “Thanks to Ooh Meh’s encouragement in pursuing my studies, I believe I can realize my dream one day.”

Three young people with three different aspirations but a similar goal: being active contributors to their communities. Ooh Meh wishes to protect children’s rights, Ree Moh aspires to become a nurse and Saw Hser Naw Thaw aims to protect the environment by expanding recycling.

Background on the Project Support on Child Protection and Durable Solutions to Refugees in the nine camps along the Thai-Myanmar border