Anna Takluem
About
Anna Takluem was born in Matupi, Chin State, Burma. In 2007 at the age of 13, her sister and her had to leave their family and hometown and went to India. They stayed in India as a refugee under UNHCR for seven years until coming to Australia in 2014 under a humanitarian visa. Anna now works as a Burmese interpreter, helping her community with things they need help with. Anna also works as a Church School teacher at her church. She completed a Diploma of Nursing and is going to continue study with a Bachelor of Nursing at ACU University.
Since the coup took place in February 2021, Anna has been actively participating to condemn the Myanmar military forces. Her parents and two younger brothers are involved in the Civil Disobedience Movement in Myanmar and they are now in hiding in their church for their safety. Anna’s uncle’s family and her grandmother had to flee from her village because their house was destroyed by Myanmar soldiers.
‘I’m very grateful for the opportunity given to participate in Together In Literature: 100 Years of PEN International, and to support people in Myanmar fighting for the Democracy.’