My name is Danny. I was born in Myanmar, and my birthplace, Shwegyin, was in a war zone at the time. I am Karen, one of the ethnic groups in Myanmar. I come from a poor and uneducated family background, and I am the eldest of three children. I studied from kindergarten through grade 2 in my hometown before my parents had to leave our homeland and move to a refugee camp because of civil war and economic hardship.
My education journey resumed in Thailand, where I studied from grade 2 through grade 11 at No. 1 Kaw Moo Rah High School in Umphiem refugee camp, living in the dormitory. In 2016, my parents decided to move to Mae Sot to seek a better future for me and my brother.
In Mae Sot, I continued my studies at the Children’s Development Centre (CDC).
My Burmese was not strong at that point, so I faced the challenge not only of learning a new language but also of adjusting to an unfamiliar environment and school system. My mother found a teaching job at CDC, which gave our family some income and gave me greater access to further education.
My father had worked as a taxi driver between Myawaddy and Mae Sot to support our family. When the pandemic forced the closure of the bridge between those two towns, he lost that job and has been looking for work since. Our whole family now relies on my mother’s income alone.
As an older brother, I want to be a good role model. So I worked very hard to complete high school even when I felt like giving up. After finishing, I began preparing for university — but faced obstacles with finances and documents, and when Covid-19 hit, my plans were delayed by a year.
About Danny
- Age: 24
- Ethnicity: Karen
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Chiang Mai Rajabhat University
- Bachelor’s, English for International Communication
- Graduated
Goals & Dreams
- Become an English teacher
- Buy a car for my parents
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $5,225
- Amount Left To Fund: $4,900
- Contract Duration: 12 years
- Status: In Repayment
During that year, I worked at a restaurant in Mae Sot from the early afternoon until midnight to help my family and save for further study. As a waiter, I learned a great deal about communicating with customers and speaking politely and with care. I also used that time to study independently to prepare for university.
When the next academic year came, I applied to Chiang Mai Rajabhat University and was accepted into the English for International Communication program. I chose this program because I enjoy communicating with people and believe that English is one of the most important tools in any field — politics, economics, and beyond. After graduation, I plan to use my English skills to contribute back to my community and home country, support my parents, and help provide what my brother needs to continue his own education.
Written by Danny with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Danny
“As an older brother, I want to be a good role model. So I worked very hard to complete high school even when I felt like giving up.”