Ahsuer and Buter's story
Members of one of northern Thailand’s hill tribes, Buter and her husband Ahsuer spent years scavenging for food just to have enough to eat to survive. Because they lacked Thai citizenship, they could not travel to find better opportunities elsewhere in Thailand, despite the fact that they had lived in Thailand all their lives.
Ahsuer and Buter had jobs planting trees for a government conservation project, but when the project ended, so did their employment. They managed to survive by growing a small amount of rice, corn and ginger on their small plot of land. They wanted to pursue employment in the city, but couldn’t, due to the risk of being arrested for traveling without identification. “People would treat us like we were not human,” remembers Buter.
The family’s situation grew far worse when Ahsuer was told that he would require surgery—and that he would have to pay the high cost required for those without citizenship documentation. To pay for the surgery, the family was forced to sell their small plot of land. When Ahsuer came down with a serious infection as a result of the procedure, the family had no money for further treatment, no land to grow food for sustenance, and very little hope that things would get better any time soon. Though they had applied for citizenship several times, they lacked documentation that proved their Thai background. Again and again, their applications were denied.
When IJM Thailand heard Ahsuer and Buter’s story, they took up the family’s case. IJM Thailand was able to track down birth certificates for both Ahsuer and Buter, along with enough solid evidence to submit another citizenship application, which they ensured was processed correctly. With IJM’s help, Ahsuer and Buter both became documented Thai citizens.
Now Ahsuer and Buter have access to a whole new world within Thailand. Because of IJM’s ongoing assistance, Ahsuer has access to health care and benefits he did not even realize he could get as a citizen, and he has a new sense of determination to do all that he can to get better. Buter now lives with a sense of peace, security and dignity that she has not had for a long time. Like hundreds of other hill tribe members assisted by IJM Thailand, they have security – and hope for the future.
Ahsuer and Buter had jobs planting trees for a government conservation project, but when the project ended, so did their employment. They managed to survive by growing a small amount of rice, corn and ginger on their small plot of land. They wanted to pursue employment in the city, but couldn’t, due to the risk of being arrested for traveling without identification. “People would treat us like we were not human,” remembers Buter.
The family’s situation grew far worse when Ahsuer was told that he would require surgery—and that he would have to pay the high cost required for those without citizenship documentation. To pay for the surgery, the family was forced to sell their small plot of land. When Ahsuer came down with a serious infection as a result of the procedure, the family had no money for further treatment, no land to grow food for sustenance, and very little hope that things would get better any time soon. Though they had applied for citizenship several times, they lacked documentation that proved their Thai background. Again and again, their applications were denied.
When IJM Thailand heard Ahsuer and Buter’s story, they took up the family’s case. IJM Thailand was able to track down birth certificates for both Ahsuer and Buter, along with enough solid evidence to submit another citizenship application, which they ensured was processed correctly. With IJM’s help, Ahsuer and Buter both became documented Thai citizens.
Now Ahsuer and Buter have access to a whole new world within Thailand. Because of IJM’s ongoing assistance, Ahsuer has access to health care and benefits he did not even realize he could get as a citizen, and he has a new sense of determination to do all that he can to get better. Buter now lives with a sense of peace, security and dignity that she has not had for a long time. Like hundreds of other hill tribe members assisted by IJM Thailand, they have security – and hope for the future.
IJM Thailand Field Office Director Khem Saksakunmongkhon (L) and his committed team worked to ensure that Buter (centre) and Ahsuer (R) obtained the Thai citizenship to which they were entitled.
Ahsuer and Buter meet with IJM staff at their home.