Success story: Sui Par

Sui Par, an IT Navigator, in front of the winter IT Navigator class.

Central Iowa resident Sui Par is a mother of three. After moving to Iowa, Sui joined EMBARC’s Community-Based English Classes (CBESL), held in partnership with Lutheran Services of Iowa, and soon connected with other services through Burma Family Focus at EMBARC. Today, Sui is a co-teacher for CBESL, and a mentor/advocate in Burma Family Focus’ IT Navigator and Parent Navigator programs. The following is Sui’s story of moving to Iowa, told through interpreter and Burma Family Focus advocate Iris Tun. 

In 2011, I arrived in America with my husband. We are members of the Chin Falam community from Burma (also known as Myanmar). When we first arrived here, we stayed in Rhode Island. After a few months had passed, a friend from Des Moines called me. They encouraged me to move to Iowa so that I could be better supported as someone new to this country. My friend told me about how there were many more resources and people from the Chin community there to help me. After learning about what Iowa could offer, my husband and I relocated there in 2012. 

Soon after arriving in Iowa, I learned about EMBARC and started participating in the CBESL program to learn English. One of my favorite memories from the program is from a time when students were instructed to speak to each other in the language. English grammar can be confusing for me, so this activity was actually very helpful. Not only that, but I am very proud to say that I received the second highest score on my Level 2 English exam! Since then, I have worked my way up to Level 6. Beyond CBESL, I’ve also taken part in the IT Navigator program, which taught me how to use a computer.

Outside of its programs, EMBARC has helped me in many other ways. Its staff and volunteers have assisted me with understanding and filling out important paperwork, attended and translated at medical appointments, in addition to many other important services. As a refugee who did not know much about navigating life in America, it is reassuring to know that if I need help with something, I can go to EMBARC. 

At times, I feel frustrated because I still need to learn so much. I do not want to have to rely on a translator, but I know that to reach this goal, I must keep educating myself so that I can provide for my family. When I feel down, I remind myself of my fellow refugee community members who need help but do not know where to go. But because I have been involved with EMBARC, I do. This motivates me to keep going and to think of ways to connect my community members with the resources that they need. I encourage them to participate in EMBARC’s many programs and to use its services so that they have the skills that they need to live in America. I know it is hard work, but I tell them to never give up. 

Throughout my learning journey as a refugee, there have been times where I have felt very alone. I never want anyone else to feel like that, so it is important to me that I take the time to provide whatever someone may need. This is why I became a co-teacher for EMBARC. I co-teach in the CBESL and IT Navigator programs, as well as work as a Family/Parent Navigator. One of my favorite things about working with EMBARC is being able to connect with my students and educate them about how to navigate life here. 

I am so thankful for EMBARC and the many resources and services that it provides to the refugee community in Iowa. It has truly given us so many opportunities that we wouldn’t have had otherwise.