In this series, we interview new immigrants to the U.S. to hear their stories, struggles and dream. Here, we speak with Rita (her name has been changed) from Myanmar.
Rita never thought she would leave Burma. Over six years, she had built up her own, successful, catering company with 20 employees. Her customers included many international nonprofits and Rita loved what she was doing. Now in her early forties, she finds herself in America, beginning a new life with her family “from zero.”
On Feb. 1, 2021 the Burmese military seized control from the government. The generals arrested elected parliamentary leaders and their supporters and renamed the country as Myanmar. In reaction, peaceful demonstrations were organized against the junta. Rita supported this movement, providing shelter and food to the protesters.
“Coming out of my country is the last thing I wanted to do.”
Increasingly, however, the protests were met by the military with violence. Shootings and arrests became more common. There were even armed soldiers at her daughters’ school. Rita worried that because of her pro-opposition activities she could be arrested or shot, and she feared for her family. By the end of the year, she and her husband made the difficult decision to flee. Not only would Rita leave her home and her own company, she also worried about what would happen to her employees who would become unemployed. “Coming out of my country is the last thing I wanted to do”, she said.
Arrival in America: Beginning from zero
Rita and her family arrived in the U.S. in March, after more than a year in Thailand. On the plane she was both sad about leaving her country which is so far away and also happy to reunite with her mother and sister who had come here earlier. She misses Burma, but says she’s too busy to mourn and be homesick. As the mother of two, she has a lot to do: household chores, picking up the kids from school, taking them to soccer practice and music lessons, helping with homework, grocery shopping. Her days are full from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
And she’s preparing for her future in America. Rita studied accounting in college and she worked for 6 years as an accountant in Singapore. She’d like to get a job in accounting, but she has no business experience in the U.S. As she put it, she has to begin from zero now. So, she will soon begin her first job here working at the cash register at TJ Maxx. This experience in customer service will qualify her to begin a training program in banking and finance. The job also has the benefit that her work hours are flexible and will allow her time for her children and to do the housework. She can work from 4-9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on the weekend. Her sister and brother-in-law, who work from home, can help look after the girls when she’s working.
What are the family’s plans?
They’re new in this country, so it’s hard to make decisions about the future, Rita says. First, they need a stable income. Her husband works for a sushi catering company and they hope to start a sushi store together within a year. With this family business, they can arrange their schedules so that someone is always free for the children. Rita’s husband is a mechanical engineer and they hope that he will eventually be able to get a job in his field. But now they’re starting the bottom.
Later, Rita would like to introduce Burmese cuisine to America. She could prepare a “friendlier version” of their dishes for Americans: food that is less spicy and more familiar to the American palate. “When you can build your own name and when your customer trusts you, it’s very rewarding.”
How are the children doing in America?
The children were scared when soldiers appeared with guns in their schools and Rita kept her daughters at home. As a result, they didn’t attend a school for more than two years. They tried to learn online, but missed a formal education. Now they are in a public school and have been placed in classes one year younger than their age group. They’re happy being in a safe environment with no soldiers, a library, and lots of school activities. Their schoolwork isn’t easy, but Rita helps them learn and the teachers are very supportive, so they’re doing fine. However, the younger daughter, age 11, is at a stage where age is very important and she doesn’t like being so much older than her classmates. Rita hopes to enroll both girls in a summer school program so they can catch up with their age group.
What surprised Rita when she arrived in America?
Rita is quick to say how surprised she was that schools in America are free. The teachers are kind and encouraging, and they keep Rita informed of her daughters’ progress by e-mail and in PTA meetings. In Burma, this kind of attention would cost a fortune – and she’d have to chase the teachers for information.
All in all, Rita has not found it hard to figure out how things work here. “As long as we can read, we can Google and research”. The resettlement agency also provides information or advice if she needs it. What’s difficult is that she has to do everything herself now. In Myanmar there were family, friends and employees who helped out. If necessary, she could concentrate on her company and someone else would do the household chores, for example.
Immigration status
Rita and her husband both have an employment authorization card and can apply for a green card in a year. Then, in five years, they can apply for citizenship, if they want. Right now, Rita feels it’s too early to decide on that. For her daughters, it’s clear: They’re afraid to go back and want to stay in America where their school is safe. But Rita still feels the draw of her home. She and her husband are active in their church’s fund-raising activities for the Burmese opposition and have cooked – twice – for hundreds of people from their little kitchen. The church donates the money raised from the sale of this food to shelters for opposition members who have fled to the Thai border. “At least I can do something for my people.” And maybe one day, when her children are older and the country has stabilized, she’ll go back. Perhaps to a farm – she likes gardening – where she can live peacefully.
“I want to earn my own money and not rely on the food card.”
When I ask Rita if there’s anything she’d like to say to our readers, she tells me about her interview at TJ Maxx. When asked, “Are you here for a job, or a career?” Rita wasn’t sure what she should say. Would it be all right to admit that she just wanted a job? She decided to be honest. “I want to earn my own money and not rely on the food card.” She doesn’t like having to use the card and is embarrassed to be in such a needy position. As she repeatedly states, “Immigrants can contribute to this country. When we work, we can pay tax. Most of us don’t want to rely on the food card. We want to stand on our own feet.”
