Soe left his native Burma in 2005 on a boat headed for Malaysia. "I had problems with the Burmese government's education policy. Many families couldn't afford the high fees so their children couldn't go to school." While in school, Soe joined some friends and teachers to protest the government's actions. "In those protests, many people died—it was very dangerous."
For his own safety, Soe left Burma leaving his parents and two brothers behind. He can never return. In 2009, he made his way to Milwaukee, sponsored by the Catholic Church. He was hired as a housekeeper at the Hyatt, where he has received excellent performance awards from his manager. "She is very good to me," he says.
In studying at LSW, Soe reports he has a lot of questions. "I'm not a patient person—the tutors and staff tell me to slow down all the time!" Soe's goals are to get a GED, go to college and to become an American citizen. "Then I can go see my parents," he smiles.
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