I am a social worker who was working as a trauma therapist for victims of crime in New York City until September 2008. When Nori was offered an NIH fellowship, I looked into work opportunities in Thailand, and since that day everything has fallen into place beautifully. A friend connected me with the organization Burma Border Projects, which supports many projects along the Thai-Burma Border. After seeing BBP’s website and its mission, I was eager to join its efforts in Thailand. I learned that BBP has been working closely with the Mae Tao Clinic for nearly a decade to enhance its mental health services and together with the executive director and several members of the clinical team, we created a position for me in Mae Sot, a Thai-Burma border town. I agreed to spend one year at the Clinic to help further develop its Counseling Center. With support and guidance from BBP and my trauma training from years at the Safe Horizon Counseling Center, I set off to join the efforts of the medics, nurses, doctors, psychologists, community members, social workers, community leaders, and volunteers at Dr. Cynthia Maung’s clinic.
UPDATE: My year at Mae Tao Clinic is coming to an end, however, I have decided to return to Mae Sot and Mae Tao Clinic in December, after a short time in the States to reconnect with family and friends. I will be back on the border until April 2010.