Rangoon Revealed Facebook Page ‘Tells Burma’s Story, One Soul at a Time’ · Global Voices
Juan Cebu

“I sew rags for a living while my husband earns a living as a trishaw driver. I earn about 2000ks every day, taking old clothes, fixing them up and selling them in the market. We have three kids and are doing our best to support them. See, 2000 kyats is not enough to support a person's daily needs unlike what one of those ignorant politicians said.” Photo courtesy Rangoon Revealed Facebook page.
A group of teenagers from Myanmar has created a Facebook page called “Rangoon Revealed“, which offers an intimate look into the life of ordinary people in Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar.
Myanmar was formerly known as Burma while Yangon was called Rangoon. Initiated by Thaw Htet and Zwe Paing Htet, “Rangoon Revealed” seeks to “tell Burma's story, one soul at a time” by uploading photos of Yangon residents plus a brief description of their lives.
Asked by Global Voices about their inspiration in launching this online project, the two young Yangon residents said they wanted their readers to understand better the lives of ordinary Burmese. They added:
We want to capture the voices of the poor people and those who are struggling in their life.
There may be some foreigners who think that the situation in Myanmar has greatly improved. But what they don’t realize is that sometimes life has become even more difficult now.
Some of the photos has gone viral in Myanmar like the one below which featured a trishaw (three-wheeled vehicle) driver:
Photo courtesy Rangoon Revealed Facebook page.
The photo is accompanied by a quote from its subject:
I have a twin brother who looks like me but is very smart. I failed 9th Grade 3 times you see so I decided to support my siblings by working as a trishaw driver. While I was working hard, my brother was studying as best as he could too. He got 4 distinctions in the 11th grade exam.
Through “Rangoon Revealed”, Thaw Htet hopes to correct the stereotype that rickshaw drivers are lazy when the truth is that many of them work hard to support their families.
Below are some of photos of other Yangon residents whose life stories were shared on the Facebook page:
Photo courtesy Rangoon Revealed Facebook page.
I am divorced and that seems to be a bad thing in this country. Even though I can earn enough money to live by myself, people still criticize me, some times calling me ‘mote-soe-ma’, a derogatory term that means huntress. It is as if people expect a women to not have choices.
Photo courtesy Rangoon Revealed Facebook page.
What is your happiest moment with your son? I don't have a happiest moment. Every moment I get with him is a blessing.
Photo courtesy Rangoon Revealed Facebook page.
I'm happy when I get many customers because my boss scolds me if I do not sell much. I came from a small town in Magwe division to come to Yangon to work. I'm now away from my parents who i support with the money I got from selling these snacks.
Photo courtesy Rangoon Revealed Facebook page.
I've been lifting these ropes for 30 years. I've seen Myanmar change and this is what I have found out. Education is vital. You kids have a chance to learn. Make sure u try hard now so you won't have to suffer in the future. Don't make that fatal mistake.
Photo courtesy Rangoon Revealed Facebook page.
I wash linen and tablecloths from restaurants. I guess the only jobs I can have are the ones that nobody else wants to do.
Photo courtesy Rangoon Revealed Facebook page.
What was the happiest moment in your life?
When my wife first conceived a child.
When was your saddest moment?
When the same child passed away.