My name is Sophie, and I am from Yangon. I am the eldest daughter in my family. My father is Chinese and was born in Yangon, while my mother is Karen from the Irrawaddy region. I identify as Karen and care deeply about the history and future of the Karen people. Growing up in Yangon, I had little exposure to ethnic histories. My upbringing focused on formal education, including English and computer skills training. My family wanted me to get a stable job and discouraged me from doing unpaid volunteer work.
My father worked as a seaman for much of my childhood and was often away. When I was five years old, he left his job due to mental health challenges caused by homesickness and overwork. I remember visiting him in the hospital. There was significant social stigma associated with mental illness, and we faced financial hardship due to medical expenses. To support the family, my mother sold fried spring rolls in front of our home.
Despite these challenges, I remained committed to my education. I consistently achieved top academic results throughout primary and secondary school. In 2012, during my final year of high school, our situation improved after we sold our house and paid off our debts. I passed the matriculation exam on my first attempt. My father often told me, “Focus on your own pace. Stay consistent, and you will become an expert.” His words have stayed with me, and I remain proud of him regardless of others’ judgments.
I later enrolled at Dagon University, specializing in English. In my second year, I switched to distance education to gain work experience. My first job was with Myanmar Survey Research, where I worked for nearly two years conducting field interviews across the country, particularly in rural areas. This experience gave me valuable research skills and deepened my knowledge of data and evidence-based analysis. More importantly, I developed a strong interest in engaging with people from diverse backgrounds and understanding their perspectives.
About Sophie
- Age: 30
- Ethnicity: Karen
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Chiang Mai University
- Master’s, Public Policy
- 1st Year in Program
Goals & Dreams
- Launch a social enterprise
- Spend more time in the mountains
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $3,200
- Amount Left To Fund: $3,200
- Contract Duration: 11 years
- Status: In School
The years 2017-2018 marked a turning point in my life. I was selected for the Community Leadership and Social Studies Program at Kant Kaw Education Center (KKEC), under the Thabyay Education Foundation. This intensive one-year program broadened my worldview and strengthened my critical thinking and leadership skills. I also served as a member of the student association, where I practiced leadership and teamwork.
During this time, my interest in political economy and ethnic affairs grew significantly. As part of the program, I took part in a service-learning project in a village in Northern Shan State, where I shared my knowledge on civic education, environmental studies, and introductory political concepts tailored to the community’s needs. This experience allowed me to apply my knowledge in a meaningful way and further clarified my long-term goals.
After completing the program, I joined Youth Circle, working in research and documentation. This role helped me better understand my identity and introduced me to the field of peace and conflict. I had the opportunity to observe peace processes and challenges at both state and union levels, including major national peace dialogues, where I contributed to technical documentation. These experiences strengthened my commitment to learning more about peacebuilding.
In 2021, I moved to work with a community in an ethnic-administered area to support local development. I worked on research projects related to politics, youth, and gender. However, following the military coup in 2021, I became deeply discouraged and temporarily lost my motivation to continue studying peace and conflict. In 2022, I enrolled in an online diploma program in Public Administration. This experience helped me regain my focus and renew my sense of purpose. I now aspire to build a career in policymaking, particularly in strengthening local governance institutions in the Karen homeland. I aim to contribute to the future and rights of the Karen people by applying my knowledge and skills to support community development and democratic governance.
For these reasons, I am eager to continue my academic journey at the School of Public Policy at Chiang Mai University. This program will equip me with the knowledge and tools necessary to advance my professional goals and contribute meaningfully to Myanmar’s future.
Written by Sophie with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Sophie
“I remain proud of [my father] regardless of others’ judgments.”
