With Personal Manager: Thaw Thaw Oo
With a classy fashion sense, Ma Thaw is fiercely independent and full of sassy confidence. She completes her personality with a heart of gold and an innate sense of hospitality and responsibility. Her compassionate curiosity for people around her tells her that there’s a story behind everyone and makes her ready to listen, observe and understand. Ma Thaw’s talents go beyond her persistence to excellence at work — she is also effectively multilingual in Myanmar, English and Mandarin.
What was your overseas experience like?
I was in Singapore for eight years as a healthcare assistant at a day care centre, carrying out a wide range of duties from supporting the delivery of high-quality health care to elderly clients to assisting with their personal care. I looked after the physical comfort of these elderly clients and regularly planned out social activities (e.g. outdoor walks and entertaining performances). It was gratifying when I was able to bond with some of the clients through chitchatting and learning their life stories — they grew to treat me as they would their own children. However, it made me wonder what life is about as I watched some of the elderly clients suffering from Alzheimer’s pass each day without memory.
Why back to Yangon?
I came back to Yangon as I wanted to be close to my parents. They are working at Pyin Oo Lwin as food sellers near a university, catering to the students from the university. As they are getting older, they need me to be close by to look after them should anything happen, especially when both my brothers are overseas.
Do you think your nursing skill helps you with your work at DDIY?
Having served elderly clients with medical conditions and disabilities, it has taught me compassion and patience. It has also taught me my way to service excellence — whatever you do, do your best, otherwise don’t do it at all. My manager from Singapore taught me this, and it’s something I hold close to my heart through the years.
What is your favourite aspect about your job?
The end-product — a clean and well-stocked home — brings a smile to my face and the satisfaction that comes with it motivates me to go at it with all my heart and mind, to go the extra mile to make sure every home is sorted.
What is your favourite thing to do in Myanmar?
In Pyin Oo Lwin, I like to spend time with my three nieces by playing with them, dancing with them to the latest songs they’ve learnt in school. Aside from that, as both my brothers are away, I spend a lot of time watching TV shows and cooking for myself.
