Mingalaba! (Hello!)
We interviewed a Burmese staff member at Wachet Charitiy Hospital, Ms. Khin Saw Htwe. This is the second interview, last time we interviewed Dr Kyawt Kay Khaing Soe and you can check it out here.
https://www.japanheart.org/en/en-topics/en-activity-report/201012.html
Q1. How long have you been working at Japan Heart?
A1. It has been eight years since I joined Japan Heart. When I first started, I worked as an apprentice nurse at Wachet Charity Hospital, and then I worked at Dream Train, the child development facility operated by Japan Heart in Yangon. I managed the health of children in the hospital, treated injuries and prepared meals. The work at Dream Train was very busy, but the kids were cute and a lot of fun. During that time, I also went to a Japanese language school for half a year to study Japanese.
Q2. How did you learn about Japan Heart and why did you decide to work there?
A2. My sister works at Japan Heart, so I have known about Japan Heart since I was a student. Japanese people from Japan Heart often came to our house, and when I saw my sister speaking to them in Japanese, I wanted to be able to speak Japanese and work at Japan Heart too! At first, I just wanted to speak Japanese, rather than become a nurse.
After graduating from university, I worked together with senior nurses in the organisation and I wanted to follow in their footsteps and be the best nurse I could be. Now I really like both my job of being a nurse and speaking Japanese.
Q3. What do you like about working at Japan Heart and what brings you the most joy of working here?
A3. I have experienced many things at Japan Heart. I had a really valuable experience working not just in Myanmar, but also Japan and Cambodia as well.
(Ms. Khin accompanied Burmese children to Japan for treatment and spent 3 months at Japan Heart Cambodia)
When I was a university student, I could never imagine myself going abroad and working with foreigners.
When I first started, I didn’t know anything about medical care or the Japanese language, but I think I have improved my skills in both areas while translating for Japanese doctors. Now I am in a position to train the younger nurses which gives me confidence in my abilities.
I love communicating with my patients too. I hope that by treating patients with a gentle smile and politeness, their anxiety and pain will be alleviated and their hearts will be put at ease.
I also have a lot of respect for Dr Yoshioka. He has been providing medical care in Myanmar for a long time, free of charge. I think that few people in Myanmar can do the same, even in their own country. I think it is really wonderful to be able to serve people, not only in one’s own country but also in other countries too and I am happy to be able to work for Dr Yoshioka.
Q4. What are you doing now?
A4. Currently, medical activities are restricted due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, so I am doing my best to study up on medical care and Japanese during my down time. I plan to take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test in the future.
Q5. What are your dreams for the future?
A5. I want to be a nurse who can do anything, like my superiors. To that end, I will give my all in my medical work and study every day.
Thank you Khin Saw Htwe!
Khin-chan is like the sun, lighting up everywhere she goes. We look forward to her continuing to brighten up Wachet Charity Hospital and Japan Heart with her brilliance.
Khin-chan, thank you for always helping us Japanese.