My name is Wati and I am from the Kaman minority group in Myanmar. Growing up in a community where education is not prioritized, especially for women, I am grateful to have been born into a working-class family that believes in the power of education. My father was a forestry officer and my mother is a school teacher, and my upbringing instilled in me a deep value for learning.
One of the defining experiences of my childhood was living in different regions of Myanmar due to my father’s profession. This opened my eyes to both the beauty of rural life and the struggles faced by people in disadvantaged areas. I came to understand the impact that infrastructure and public spaces have on social life, and that awareness sparked my passion for sustainable urbanization and equitable rural development.
I excelled academically and went on to study engineering at Yangon Technological University, building a strong foundation in engineering and practical skills until the pandemic and the subsequent situation interrupted my studies. During that period, I shifted my focus to self-teaching in sustainable infrastructure, computer science, and marketing, and learned new languages to expand my cross-cultural communication skills.
Knowing I should contribute using my skill set, I joined a non-profit organization called No Hunger Zone as a content writer. As an introverted person with social anxiety, fitting in was challenging. By accepting myself and focusing on the quality of my work, I was able to make a meaningful impact and gradually develop my interpersonal skills. I used my writing in both Burmese and English to inform the public about workshops and to create content on sustainable living, health, and environmental issues.
About Wati
- Age: 24
- Ethnicity: Kamein
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang
- Bachelor’s, Civil Engineering
- 3rd Year in Program
Goals & Dreams
- Become an engineer
- Develop a creative, artistic mind
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $4,250
- Amount Left To Fund: $4,100
- Contract Duration: 12 years
- Status: In School
I never lost sight of my childhood dream: that sustainable urban and equitable rural life can coexist. That belief led me to seek scholarship opportunities abroad, resulting in a half scholarship at KMITL to study civil engineering in Thailand. Studying there has been a remarkable opportunity.
Together with my team, I designed and analyzed a prototype of an automatic plant-watering system aimed at reducing unnecessary water consumption. I also participate in community service, including volunteering at the Dhamma Kaya Temple as an iGen member, assisting tourists with translation devices and supporting event operations. Joining iGen’s meditation group sessions has strengthened my mindfulness and broadened my social circle.
I am grateful for every experience and challenge that has shaped me. My journey has reinforced the importance of resilience, the power of education, and the impact one can make through dedication and community involvement. I am committed to becoming a civil engineer who helps create sustainable, inclusive, and socially enriched environments.
Written by Wati with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Wati
“I believe that sustainable urban and equitable rural life can coexist, and I want to be a professional who can help make that shift happen.”