Documentary: The Karen of Mayo. (22 images)

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Created: 30 Dec 2010     
2 Years documenting the lives of Karen Refugee's who have been re-settled into rural Ireland from Burma.
  • In the winter the Karen people use this caravan for tea breaks and storage. They also use it to keep out of the cold Irish winters while they are farming the land they purchased to grow their traditional crops from Myanmar.

  • Paw Sha Tee in her traditional Karen farming clothes tending to her plants in her new back garden in Castlebar,Co Mayo.

  • A Karen man on his mobile phone and beside his new car he bought with money he earned from working and selling some goods. The Karen people have worked hard for each of their possessions.

  • A calendar made by one of the very talented Karen children. The Karen children have also been integrated into the Irish education system with many already graduating from secondary school.

  • Paw Sha tee and members of the Karen community watching a historic moment in Burmese history which finally saw Karen leaders shake hands with Burmese government officials.

  • Paw Sha Tee on her way to visit her daughter who was performing the local St Patrick's Day parade in Castlebar.Co Mayo

  • Karen elder, Law Hak preparing food in his new home in Castlebar, Co Mayo. Karen people treat the elder members of their community with great respect and dignity. Unfortunately Law Hak passed away in late October 2011.

  • A celebration of Karen culture! Many celebrations are held locally in the Karen people's homes and most of the Karen families in the area will be invited to attend.

  • Paw Sha Tee tends to her friends child's hair at their house in the Fairview Estate in Castlebar.The children are a huge part of everyday life in the community and are often cared for by other members when necessary.

  • As Ireland slips further into recession the Karen are struggling to find work in and around West Ireland. The vast majority of the community remain optimistic for the future, and for the moment they are focusing on educating themselves in the downturn.

  • A distressed Karen elder finds it hard to adapt to life in an Irish nursing him. An immense change from the Karen camps in the jungle of the Thai border.Unfortuantley Law Hak passed away in late October 2011.

  • Paw Sha Tee's young daughter and her school friends in traditional Irish dress on the eve of St Patrick's Day 2011

  • Paw Sha Tee outside awaiting an appointment outside the Mayo Integration Centre near Castlebar.Paw often deals with the centre on behalf of her community.Today she was dealing with an immigration issue.

  • A picture of Jesus remains in the new houses of the Karen people. The Karen people often show signs of great tolerance and respect for other religions.

  • Paw Sha tee in her home with her young son. Paw is the chairperson of the Karen community in Mayo and the backbone of their society.

  • At Law Haks graveside in Jan 2011.As a Karen elder he is sadly missed amongst the entire group.

  • A young Karen mother and her child waiting outside a meeting of Karen elders in Ballina,Co Mayo.

  • A momentus day for Paw and her husband Taki.On April 1st2012 both received their full Irish Citizenship.An image of Paw and Taki appeared in the Irish Times a few days later.They had a copy of the paper displayed on their mantle piece in their home in Castlebar.

  • Paw Sha Tee in Prayer in the Ballina Methodist Church Co Mayo. The Karen people devote a whole Sunday each week which is spent praying,discussing current developments in Burma and also discussing local community issues.

  • It's been a long journey!! The Karen people have made huge sacrifices and undergone immense change in order to improve the lives of their children and live in a safer settled society.

  • Paw Sha Tee in her new kitchen.A massive change from the refugee Karen camps she comes from.

  • The view outside! A very different sight from when Paw Sha Tee and her family looked out from their shack in the refugee camps of Myanmar.