Human mobility project
Approximately 214 million people in the world are international migrants. Whether by choice or by necessity, people are travelling outside of their home country to access higher income, basic services and improved prospects for their family. This ongoing project explores the impact of migration on the family unit.
Nok is one of the many migrants living away from her family and culture in order to improve the quality of life of her loved ones who remain behind. Nok single mother, is a hairdresser by profession and has worked in Dili since April 2006. After three years of absence from home, Nok went back to Udon Thani (Thailand) in September 2009. It was a short visit. Her son Doy, who was 9 years old when she left, would not speak to her or even look at her for the first few hours. When Nok left a month later, Doy refused to leave the airport until well after the plane had taken off.
Since Nok returned from her visit home to Thailand she does not want to phone her son. He cries each time she calls. Nok doesn’t know how long she will stay in Dili, but doesn’t think she will be able to go back to Thailand permanently for at least another three years. Doy, her son, would then be 15 years old.
