“I will because I can.” This is my motto for achieving every milestone of my life.
Being able to access quality education is not easy for those of us born and raised in Shwe Pyi Thar, a small town with inadequate infrastructure and one of the least educated populations across Yangon. It is where my parents have lived their whole lives and raised me under extremely difficult financial circumstances.
Neither of my parents had a chance to go to school when they were young, but they have inspired me to pursue civil engineering and contribute back to my country as much as I can. Whenever I shared my dream of becoming an engineer, I was laughed at by relatives and neighbors. Rather than encouraging me, they advised me to set more “achievable” goals for someone like me.
Those laughs and mean comments became my inspiration. Representing everyone from an underprivileged background, I want to prove that anything is possible for those who work hard enough. I have been pushing myself to develop my knowledge and skills and achieve the goals I have set for myself and my family.
When I finished high school, I worked as a freelance study guide to pay for my school fees rather than asking my parents for help. As a result of that hard work, I was accepted to West Yangon Technological University in 2017, majoring in civil engineering.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, I joined online classes to upgrade my English skills and attended engineering courses. I also volunteered as a mathematics teacher at the “We Are B Lone” Free Education Program, completed a four-month internship, and attended a short course in sustainability in the built environment at Parami Institute of Continuing Education.
About Thomas
- Age: 25
- Ethnicity: Burmese
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi
- Bachelor’s, Civil Engineering
- 4th Year in Program
Goals & Dreams
- Become a structural engineer
- Develop the next world wonder!
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $5,250
- Amount Left To Fund: $2,750
- Contract Duration: 12 years
- Status: In School
One of my biggest achievements is receiving a full scholarship from King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, selected from among many competitive applicants. Upon graduation, I plan to pass on the knowledge, skills, and experiences I have gained to the younger generations of my country.
I am confident that I can bring new and innovative insights to the Myanmar engineering community and contribute in a meaningful way. I have wholeheartedly committed myself to serving my country, and I am optimistic that my work will bring lasting, beneficial change.
Written by Thomas with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Thomas
“Those laughs and mean comments became my inspiration. Representing everyone from an underprivileged background, I want to prove that anything is possible.”
