By: RO Maung Shwe
In a world where family is often the only anchor in the storm, Rabiya Khatun’s life is a testament to resilience, loss, and survival. A 75-year-old woman from Maungdaw Township in Rakhine State, Myanmar, Rabiya has endured decades of personal and political turmoil, witnessing the best and worst of humanity. From the security of a middle-class upbringing to the struggles of displacement in a refugee camp, her journey is one of endurance and the unbreakable bond of family.
Meet Rabiya Khatun, the only daughter of her late parents, Abu Shama and Dolu Begum. Coming from a respected family, she was the eldest among six siblings, each of whom carved their own paths amid the shifting tides of opportunity and hardship.
Her first brother, Kabir Ahmed, was a well-educated individual who completed his studies at Yangon University, one of Myanmar’s most prestigious institutions. He earned a master’s degree in English but did not return home after graduation. At that time, educated individuals were neither valued by the government nor fully appreciated by the public, making it difficult for them to find recognition. As a result, Ahmed decided to settle in Yangon, where he pursued various business ventures and found success.
Her second brother, Fozal Kobir, pursued higher education in Statistics at Sittwe University. After graduation, he returned to their home village and lived there for several years. However, the lack of opportunities for educated individuals forced him to move to Saudi Arabia in search of a better life, where he eventually settled.
Her third brother, Md Amin, was involved in agriculture, managing the family’s wealth and property. Despite his interest in education, limited opportunities prevented him from continuing beyond basic schooling. He remained at home, taking on the responsibility of managing family affairs. Meanwhile, her other two brothers were also engaged in family-related work.
Her fourth brother, Abdul Kuddus, completed high school and later started a business in their home village, trading between Myanmar and Bangladesh. Unfortunately, in 1991, during a trip to Bangladesh by boat, he tragically lost his life in a storm. His sudden death left his wife and children in a vulnerable state. Despite the hardship, Rabiya’s parents took full responsibility for raising his children, ensuring their well-being.
Rabiya’s parents arranged her marriage to a neighboring villager, Gura Mia, an educated businessman who worked in the village market. During their eleven years of marriage, they were unable to have children. Tragically, her husband contracted malaria and passed away, leaving Rabiya alone.
Following her husband’s death, Rabiya chose not to remarry and decided to live alone. Despite encouragement from her parents and relatives to reconsider, she remained firm in her decision. A few years later, her beloved parents also passed away, further deepening her sense of loneliness.
After her parents’ passing, her brothers separated to manage their own families. With no home of her own, Rabiya went to live with her uncle’s family, who welcomed her with kindness. However, hurtful gossip and societal pressure made her feel unwelcome, forcing her to leave.
At that time, communication was a significant challenge due to the absence of telephones in the area. As a result, Rabiya lost contact with her first and second brothers. Without their support, she struggled for years, working in agricultural fields to earn a small income that barely covered her daily expenses.
Years later, a man in her village introduced a telephone service as a business. People who wished to contact their family members abroad had to pay a fee to use the service. Taking this opportunity, Rabiya managed to reconnect with her brothers. Upon learning about her struggles, they became deeply concerned. However, they had also been unable to reach her earlier. After discussing her situation, they decided to reunite with her and bring her into their family’s care.
Since then, Rabiya has been living with her brothers’ families, even after they were forced to flee Myanmar and seek refuge in Bangladesh. However, life in the refugee camp presents immense challenges. In the camp, everyone, whether once rich or poor, now faces the same struggles. Her brothers have grown old and are no longer able to earn an income, making survival even more difficult.
Today, as an elderly woman in a refugee camp, Rabiya Khatun continues to face numerous hardships. Yet, her story stands as a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the unwavering bond of family, even in the face of adversity.
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