“With God’s grace, I overcome challenges,” says Myanmar migrant worker in Japan

Mary Green Rose Nant Zin Mar Tun is a Myanmar migrant worker in Japan. She is from Kanazogone village in Wakema Township in Ayeyarwady Region.
 
She is the eldest child out of four children and is single. She is working in Japan to support her family in Myanmar.
 
“I want to help my poor father and mother who are getting advanced in age. They are farmers and tired of working in the field. They are over fifty years old already,” She told RVA News.
 
Mary Green Rose could finish her first year only at the University of Pathein located in the city of Pathein in the Ayeyarwady Region.
 
She is currently working at Heater Fishery Process Company in Japan. She told RVA why she went to Japan on January 13, 2018.
 
“I want to help my father and support my younger brother and sisters for their education,” said Mary Green Rose.
 
“It is easier to go to Japan than other Asian countries. There are many opportunities for human development. Life in Japan is safe too,” she recommends. 
 
No one supported her to migrate to Japan. Her family even was worried about her because she is still young. With her decision, she went to Japan without asking any permission from her parents. 
 
“When I arrived at immigration in Yangon, my family members could not block my way anymore but they accepted it though they did not want it,” she said. 
 
Mary Green Rose grew up in a Christian family. Her father was an Adventist. He became a Catholic after getting married to a Catholic girl. 
 
“I received faith from my parents. I learned about the religion from them. Their teaching was very simple,” she recalled.
 
Mary Green Rose continues by saying, “I try my best for my family although I have difficulties, I am happy. With God’s grace, I can overcome hardships and challenges.”
 
Every month, she sends money to her parents for family support. Her brother and sisters are very bright and focused on their studies. Therefore, she wants them to finish their education.
 
Mary Green Rose is the only one who is a migrant worker in the family, and she has no other family member who is a migrant.
 
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, she used to go to church in Japan every week. However, later, she could not go due to the health protocol of the country. 
 
“I have planned to work in Japan until I reach the age of 36. I am now 24 years old,” said Mary Green Rose.
 
She has planned to return to Myanmar when her father completes 65 years because she wants to take care of her parents.
 
“I have to live in a different culture in Japan, but I am happy because I can support my family well and donate cash to some people in need. Without any help from other people, I can decide by myself,” she said.
 
She added, “I learn many lessons from the people of different cultures and attitudes in Japan.”
 
She meets other Myanmar migrants in Japan. 
 
“I encourage other people who want to work in Japan and who are not interested in education anymore,” she shares.
 
According to her, she got support from the Government of Japan when the Covid-19 was widespread in the country.
 
Mary Green Rose has been working in Japan for five years. 
 
As a hobby, she enjoys climbing the mountain and playing Hola hooping.
 
Finally, she said, “I encourage other people who are not interested in education anymore or who want to financially support their family to come and work in Japan, where it is safe and has many jobs opportunities.”
 
Mary Green Rose is a Christian name. Nant Zin Mar Tun is Myanmar name. The word “Nant” is used for the Pwo Karen girl. 
 
She is a Pwo Karen Catholic in Myanmar. Her maternal uncle is a Catholic priest working in the parish of Kayinthonesint in the diocese of Pathein in the Ayeyarwady Region in Myanmar.
 
In Myanmar, there are eight major tribes, which are Kachin, Kayah, Karen, Chin, Mon, Burma, Rakhaine, and Shan.
 
In the Karen tribe, there are mainly Sgaw Karen and Pwo Karen. Nant Zin Mar Tun belongs to Pwo Karen living in Ayeyarwady Region, which is known as the Delta area.