My name is Song, from Taunggyi township, Shan State. I am an ethnic Pa-O. The majority of our Pa-O people are a farming community with no privileged connections, and I come from a family with a lifetime background of farming. Throughout my education journey, I lived and studied at monasteries across Myanmar. I could not imagine my education without the monastery.
As a monastic student, life was difficult. I witnessed firsthand how challenging life was for rural children in monasteries. I did not even know if I had a tomorrow, a future. Dealing with the ups and downs of that life, I became who I am now — a master’s student. I am the only person from my village who has come this far academically and personally.
After completing my bachelor’s degree in business management at Taunggyi University, I devoted myself entirely to NGOs working for rural communities and IDPs in Shan State.
Through that work, I found my true interests in development and humanitarian fields, and I want to invest myself fully in them. Many may think that helping others is easy. In fact, it is challenging, and it requires technical and critical skills. Higher education is essential to understanding the difficult situations of vulnerable people, addressing those issues, and helping build a brighter future.
That is why I decided to pursue further study. My experiences working with conflict-affected people and rural communities in NGOs are the main driving force behind my current master’s studies. I am now conducting research focused on the land relations of ethnic Yang people in Panglong sub-township, Shan State.
About Song
- Age: 41
- Ethnicity: Pa O
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Chiang Mai University
- Master’s, Development Studies
- Graduated
Goals & Dreams
- Become a program manager
- Visit Israel
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $4,600
- Amount Left To Fund: $4,425
- Contract Duration: 12 years
- Status: In Deferment
I strongly believe this work will contribute to the development of land matters for ethnic Yang people and for Myanmar more broadly.
After my master’s degree, I plan to return to Myanmar and collaborate with NGOs, CSOs, and communities on research, policy, and development. Myanmar faces enormous challenges, and a massive rehabilitation is needed across every sector. In this situation, the roles of people equipped with technical skills and knowledge are essential to help drive the country’s development forward. I also plan to pursue further study — because the work of rebuilding and improving lives is never finished.
Written by Song with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Song
“After my master’s degree, I plan to return to Myanmar and collaborate with NGOs, CSOs, and communities on research, policy, and development. Myanmar faces enormous challenges, and a massive rehabilitation is needed across every sector.”
