My name is Yuya, and I am studying Social Science at Chiang Mai University.
I was born in Myanmar and grew up in a small town called Thaton with my parents, an older brother, and three elder sisters. While my father was the only breadwinner in the family, my mother was a stay-at-home mom who took care of the family.
As my father’s income was not sufficient to support the education of all the children, two of my sisters could not continue to university. They had to work and help our father with the debt. Growing up in such a financially unstable situation, I have always had to look for opportunities to help my family.
I studied very hard and received financial support from a monastery for my high school studies. Our education system does not encourage children to think critically, but instead shapes them to think in a certain way. As a result, children do not dare to express their own opinions, and even after graduation, they are left with very few opportunities for their future careers.
As soon as I finished the matriculation exam, I joined a social science program that helped me discover my passion and interest. I had to study very hard because of the language demands and the new environment.
After finishing that program, I went to a village in Tanintharyi Division and worked as a volunteer teacher for a three-month English program, which led me to engage in other community-related activities.
About Yuya
- Age: 25
- Ethnicity: Burmese, Karen
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Chiang Mai University
- Bachelor’s, Social Science
- Graduated
Goals & Dreams
- Improve environmental awareness in Myanmar
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $7,050
- Amount Left To Fund: $4,525
- Contract Duration: 13 years
- Status: In Repayment
I then applied for the Rays of Youth Leadership program from Mae Sot and subsequently interned at Save the Children in Hpa An, Karen State, as an Assistant Community Development Facilitator, where my main responsibility was teaching children from Karen villages.
Working there made me more motivated about community work. However, because of my family’s financial situation, I had to move to Yangon for work, where I interned at the Center for Diversity and National Harmony as a data assistant for six months before coming to Thailand.
Equipped with those experiences, I wanted to study more about social science. Studying at Chiang Mai University has given me more knowledge and opportunities to carry out my future plans for community development. There are many things I hope to contribute to for the next generation, and by studying Social Science, I hope to gain knowledge related to politics, environment, and communication that will be helpful in that work.
Written by Yuya with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Yuya
“There are many things I hope to contribute to for the next generation — and by studying Social Science, I hope to gain the knowledge to do that work.”
