My name is May. I was born and raised in Yangon, the commercial capital of Myanmar. My family is a middle-class household of three children, and my father was the sole provider on a limited income, which made it challenging to keep up with the high cost of living in the city. Despite these difficulties, my parents always emphasized the importance of education. Among my siblings, I excelled academically and became my family’s best hope for breaking the cycle of poverty. I passed the matriculation exam with five distinctions, filling us all with hope and happiness.
Before joining university, I worked as a volunteer assistant teacher at Bean Sprout Education and provided free tutoring to Grade 9 and 10 students near my home. I then enrolled at the University of Pharmacy, where I served as class leader and was elected General Secretary of the Student Union in my second year.
During my second year, the COVID-19 outbreak and the subsequent situation in Myanmar hit my life hard. My father, our sole provider, contracted the COVID-19 Delta variant and tragically passed away due to inadequate hospital care. Those were the most devastating and helpless days of my life.
Following his death, a check-up revealed that my mother had liver cirrhosis caused by chronic hepatitis B. We immediately focused on her treatment, but the cost of medications for liver disease in Myanmar is very high.
I began working as a receptionist at a medical laboratory and later as a pharmacy warehouse assistant at a private hospital, managing inventory, purchasing medicines from suppliers, and overseeing operational areas of the pharmacy. These experiences gave me invaluable knowledge of inventory management, supply chain management, and warehouse operations, and helped clarify my passion for a career in business.
Realizing that a high school diploma would limit my opportunities and earning potential, my family decided to send me abroad to complete my education. We sold our apartment to cover at least four years of tuition fees.
About May
- Age: 24
- Ethnicity: Burmese
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Mae Fah Luang University
- Bachelor’s, Business Administration
- 4th Year in Program
Goals & Dreams
- Become a data and financial analyst
- Learn another language
- Enjoy more time on the beach! 🏖️
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $3,525
- Amount Left To Fund: $3,375
- Contract Duration: 11 years
- Status: In School
I left Yangon in January 2023 and joined a four-year Bachelor’s program in Business Administration at Mae Fah Luang University in Thailand. Just one week after arriving, I served as staff at the PACCON Pure and Applied Chemistry International Conference 2023, welcoming and assisting international guests. I have maintained a GPA of 3.97 over three semesters and participated actively in university events.
After graduation, I aspire to work as a data and financial analyst, focusing on companies that rely on data-driven decisions and financial strategies. However, due to inflation and the rapid decline of Myanmar’s currency, the funds we set aside for four years of tuition are no longer sufficient. I am requesting a loan to help cover my tuition for the coming semester, allowing me to continue working toward a better future for my family.
Written by May with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
May
“My father, our sole provider, contracted the COVID-19 Delta variant and tragically passed away due to inadequate hospital care. Those were the most devastating and helpless days of my life.”
