Myanmar: In Our Midst
Both once-proud ports of the British Empire, Singapore and Myanmar have had much less in common with their recent history. The former straits settlement is known today for its dynamic transformation into a vibrant economic hub and the latter for its military oppression and abject poverty. The nationwide demonstrations of the 8888 Uprising, following the violent and bloody crackdown of student protests, saw many uproot their lives for safer and sunnier shores in Singapore. Now, as then, foreign labour pours in from the Ayeryawaddy delta to the island state in search of better financial prospects. Recent times have seen generals shedding their army fatigues for civilian garb. Businesses and tourists flock towards the country. With Myanmar looking to catch up with its prospering neighbours, what lies ahead for a generation of Burmese who have lived and grown up away from home in relative sanctuary?
Myanmar: In Our Midst is a final year project done as part of undergraduate studies at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communications & Information. The project documents the Burmese diasporic community in Singapore and shows their interconnectedness in Singaporean society through various profiles.