Monday, January 12, 2015

The story of Myanmar boy who sold to China


Khin Khin Oo (middle) sold his father (left). Now, he raised his grandmother because his mother (right) ran away with another man


One year has passed since Khin Khin Oo sold by his father for 8,000 yuan or Rp16,3 million


Squatting in front of the door of his bamboo house, grandma Khin Khin Oo, Ma Shan, tells the story of how the four-year-old boy was sold. According to him, he was very poor because his son was a heroin addict. The income from farming corn is not how.

The daughter of Ma Shan is also no better. He ran off with another man and left two children with his grandmother. However, one day the son of Ma Shan, Khine Soe emerging to visit her two children.

"But after four days passed and they have not come home, I knew there was something strange."

Ma Shan assume something bad has happened and went to the village elders to talk with some friends Khine Soe. They were told that Khin Soe experiencing financial difficulties.


Khin Khin Oo sold by her father for 8,000 yuan or Rp16,3 million.

"He lost all his money playing cards," he said, shaking his head.

At that time, they involve the local police. Police found Khine Soe and he admitted that with the help of a woman, he sells his daughter to a Chinese merchant.

Police followed the trail to the Chinese border town of Ruili, where they were told Khin Khin Oo has been sold again, now with the price of 12,000 yuan to a married couple who want to adopt a child.

After a week working with the Chinese police, Khin Khin Oo rescued and returned to his grandmother.

"During his absence, I would not even eat. I am very worried," he said.

Khin Khin Oo including fortunate to receive good treatment. Pair of Chinese origin that was apparently unaware that Khin Khin Oo is a victim of child trafficking.


Khin Khin Oo returned to his grandmother's house in hang on. But Ma Shan - the safety worrying grandchildren - then send it to China again to live with her aunt.


One-child policy in China led to girls so coveted.

Exploitation of women

Trafficking of children as experienced Khin Khin Oo seems rare case in Myanmar.

But the state border area with China is known for exploitation of young women.

Has one child policy in China and the tendency of its citizens to choose to have a son shortfalls in women and wives in the country.

According to demographic predictions show that in 2020 there will be approximately 24 million men shortage of women for marriage.

Regional trade occurs Myanmar border is very complicated, and even the family of the child involved in the transaction.

At a table in a refugee camp in Namkhan, community leaders Kyaw Myint was flicking through the photos missing woman.

We meet Kyaw Myint were contemplating photographs of the missing woman. Kyaw Myint is a local community leaders in the city Namkhan, where there is a refugee camp.

"It is a four girls aged between 15 and 18 out of Kutkai City. They went to China to work but no one has heard from them during the last eight months," he said.

"This woman aged 26 years and lost as well. We're trying to trace it through our community who live in China."

He estimates that about 10% of local women have been sold or traded in a variety of ways.


Bokdin Lamo told her story became a victim of exploitation.

Get Away

Lamo Bokdin is one of that number. When he accepted a job at a restaurant in the border town of Ruili, he thinks he is an ordinary employee.

"But my boss said I did not need to work at the restaurant again but had to marry his sister," she says.
The deal turned out to be worth 40,000 yuan or Rp81,7 million.

"If you refuse, my boss said it would sell me to someone else."

Lamo was forced to move to her husband's home in Beijing. She detained by her husband in the house for three months.

"I'm not allowed to make a phone call and had to stay in the house. My husband says I should just visit my parents when we have a baby."

After three months of confinement, Lamo found a way to escape.

"I stayed at the top of a building, on the second floor. The house has a small window-covered window net - so I cut the net and jumped down into the road," he explained.

"Fortunately, people who do not care to see me jump. Then I went to the train station where police helped me get a ticket to get out of Beijing."

Lamo now resides in a tent, where he lived with his sister. She earns money by weaving traditional skirt.

Lamo is one of the survivors of human trafficking who are developing it.


(Source: BBC News, Myanmar)
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