A response to A book and Pen by Vaine Rasmussen and Kidnapped by Ruperake Petaia

Dear Editor

Hi I’m writing this letter to state my point of view about the theme portray in the poems A book and a pen and kidnapped written by Vaine Rasmussen and Repereka Petaia. In my point of View the education that the two authors got wasn’t a waste and only if that have think positively they could have use the education that have receives to help their own people.

My name is Wah Eh Htoo and I came from Burma but my ethnicity is Karen. My country is ridden with war, we are fighting a side that are trying to colonise us by mutilating our women, killing our children, our elderly, taking our land and trying to destroy our culture and our people. They have driven us out of our own country for generations yet we are resisting. I have been driven out of my country into New Zealand the land of the long white cloud, where education is free and where education is the most important thing. I have to agree with that view. I was one of the lucky few that have a freedom to study at primary intermediate, college and university. I haven't graduate yet but when I do graduate my dream is to go back to my own country to help my people. Let me tell you a story about a friend of mine. 

My friend name Amy who came to New Zealand 13 years ago.

Amy came from the same country as me.  We both came with a Refugee status and because of the war Amy doesn't have time to go to school, and even when she is at school there were not much school supplies. So the only things they can do are listening to the teacher and write on the ground. Sometime there is even no school, especially if they are running in the jungle. So to have pen and papers to use is a luxury for Amy. 

When Amy first came to New Zealand she was surprised with all the education and how free the education is.

Amy was encouraged by her mum to study. Her mum once told her

"Amy, I have nothing to give you the only thing that I am able to give you is education, so Study hard"

Amy took that word to heart and study to become a Doctor at a University in Auckland.

I asked her why she tried so hard and she told me,

"The only thing my mum can provide for me is education, its might not be much, but if I can get a degree in Medicine I can go back to my country and help my people"

Amy involved herself in the community in New Zealand, helping them to retain their culture. Amy graduated in medicine with the piece of paper that the authors said was useless. Now Amy is in Thailand helping out our people with illness like malaria, or an amputated leg.  

I also have the same dream as Amy and she is my inspiration but instead of being a doctor my aim is to be a teacher. 

The education that my friend Amy got wasn't a waste. Just like the authors she came from a foreign country that has no freedom but made the most of the education that she got.

Your's Sincerely

Wah Eh Htoo