Greg McGrath-Goudie Soo Today 9 April 2026

Although he’s now a nurse at Sault Area Hospital, Eh Sue Kaw had to travel across the world and overcome barriers most people never have to face.

Originally from civil war-torn Myanmar, Kaw spent more than 12 years in a refugee camp before moving to Canada, studying at Sault College, and becoming an important part of Sault Ste. Marie.

From leaving his family’s village to pursue his education, to living in a crowded refugee camp, Kaw’s long journey is documented in his new memoir, Walking Toward The Unknown.

“My memoir is about my life experience from the beginning, from when I was born to moving to a refugee camp for education,” Kaw told SooToday.

“It talks about what I have gone through in my childhood, life in the refugee camp, and then how I got to where I am right now in Canada.”

As education stops in rural Myanmar beyond Grade 4, Kaw said students – if their families can afford it – move to the city to continue their studies.

In Kaw’s case, that wasn’t an option, and at age 10 he opted to go to a refugee camp to continue his education – leaving behind his parents, siblings, and everyone he knew.

In the camp, Kaw lived with more than 100 other students in a crowded boarding house, relying on donated food and supplies to get by.

During those years, education became his key source of hope for building a better life.

“When you have no parents at a young age, you have to learn to rely on yourself,” he said.

“You have to study just to get a better future.”

Despite the trauma, displacement, and other challenges he faced, Kaw stayed focused on his education over the years. 

He hopes his story can help people see the power of resilience in building their lives.

“Especially young people, there's a lot of struggle,” he said. “When you struggle, there's hope, there's opportunity – that's ahead of you.

“Just keep trying to follow your goal.”

Kaw said he never had plans to write a book about his journey, but followers on social media encouraged him to write about his life – leading him to start drafting his memoir last year.

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