Life in lockdown for Hartlepool expat teacher 5,000 miles away

David Jackson, who is originally from the Fens, teaches English at a school in Myanmar, Southeast Asia.

He left Hartlepool to work in Malaysia nine years ago and has previously worked in orphanages before getting the teaching bug.

David, 56, who teaches children aged between six and 14 at the Higher Cambridge International School in Mandalay, said: “Whilst I was in Malaysia I worked for an NGO and that’s where I got the bug to teach to be honest. I loved every minute of it as I was teaching underprivileged children and adults.

“I had never been to Myanmar (Burma) and I’m always up for travelling to new places so when my contract ended in Thailand I was offered a place here so I didn’t hesitate and here I am.”

He has just signed a new 12-month contract with the school, but like the UK, Myanmar (formerly Burmar) has been placed on strict lockdown due to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic.

David, who has family back in Hartlepool, had been due to fly back to England for a visit early in April but all flights in and out of the country were cancelled the day before he was due to fly.

People can only go out for essential food supplies and medical attention. There is a total ban on entering or leaving the city and a curfew from 9pm to 4am.

He added: “I am now on my 21st day of isolation and don’t venture out unless its for food and its very tough.

“Temperatures have reached 41 degrees and rising so as you can imagine things are very uncomfortable.

“A lot of the people are homeless here and live on the streets or rooftops and even under staircases of our building. It’s a third world country so imposing a total ban on working is impossible.

“If people don’t work they cannot survive therefore, we still have street traders and telling people to stay at home is impossible if you don’t have a home.”

Myanmar has had only around 120 confirmed Covid-19 cases and five deaths.

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