My nickname is Tofuu, and like tofu that absorbs flavor, I’ve absorbed many “tastes” of life since childhood — some sweet, some bitter, all of them shaping who I am today.
I grew up in a middle-class family in Myanmar. My father, a salesperson, supported me throughout my early education, doing everything he could to provide for me. My mother, ever resourceful, kept our home warm and full of life even while managing tight budgets. They enrolled me in a downtown school to ensure I received a quality education. In return, I dedicated myself fully — not only to academics but also to school activities, eventually being elected secretary of the student council and class president year after year.
My parents always encouraged me to pursue my education without hesitation. I, in turn, did everything in my power not to disappoint them, especially since life had already brought them many challenges.
In my final years of high school, my father passed away.
My mother, determined to see me succeed, supported our family through her sewing. Even while carrying the financial burden alone, she continued to remind me to chase my dreams. After high school, I pursued a medical degree in Myanmar, driven by the desire to save lives and improve the country’s struggling healthcare system.
Alongside my studies, I taught English to young learners, mentored high school students, and volunteered at centers where young people taught orphans and children from underprivileged backgrounds free of charge. Those moments showed me the true impact of giving with skills rather than money.
During my second year of medical school, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, compounding the already volatile political situation in Myanmar. Though I had to pause my formal education, I never stopped learning. I completed EMT, psychology, food and health, and immunology courses through Coursera and the UNITWIN project, continued teaching students online, offered basic medical consultations based on my two years of training, and supported my neighbors — particularly the elderly — with food, supplies, and medicine.
About Tofuu
- Age: 24
- Ethnicity: Burmese
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang
- Bachelor’s, Biomedical Engineering
- 2nd Year in Program
Goals & Dreams
- Become a biomedical engineer
- Become a social entrepreneur
- Visit Japan
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $4,650
- Amount Left To Fund: $4,550
- Contract Duration: 12 years
- Status: In School
I later interned at Brainworks International School Clinic, working alongside senior nurses, which allowed me to support my mother financially while gaining hands-on experience. With a black belt in Taekwondo and a medical background, I also became a PE teacher. One incident left a lasting mark on me: a student suffered a tibia fracture during class. Being with her during the emergency, offering both emotional and first-aid support, deepened my realization that my current knowledge was not enough. Her long recovery inspired me to pursue more.
Today, my goals have evolved. I no longer only want to treat patients — I want to help transform healthcare systems. I am now pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering to bridge the gap between medicine and innovation, with a particular interest in genetics and genetic therapies for conditions such as cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, sickle cell disease, Alzheimer’s, and stroke. While few in my country believe such advancements are within reach, I believe that through the right education and unwavering commitment, people like me can make them possible — bringing hope and change to our healthcare systems.
Written by Tofuu with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Tofuu
“I no longer only want to treat patients. I want to help transform healthcare systems and bring hope and change to my country.”
