I was born in a hill town called Kalaw in Shan State, Myanmar. I spent my childhood among Palaung ethnic children in a hostel. Since my parents are separated, my two sisters and I were raised by my mother. The living conditions there can be visualized by picturing a plate of rice topped with a fried egg as the best meal we could have. Despite many challenges, my mother raised us with compassion and always helped the poor and needy.
In 2011, my family moved to Thailand due to safety concerns. My mother found work as a teacher at the Danyela Learning Center (DLC), a migrant learning center in Pathum Thani. Since it was my first time living far from my hometown, everything was new and challenging, especially the language. My ability to adapt led me to enroll in a Thai public school, and I learned the language within three years.
I continued my studies at the DLC and took matriculation exams at the Myanmar Embassy each year, passing with a distinction in biology in 2020. Having been recognized as a leader in the community, I accepted DLC’s invitation to serve as a part-time volunteer teacher in 2017.
Since most students came from ethnic minorities and spoke Thai more fluently than Myanmar, my Thai language skills were put to excellent use in communicating and teaching. I became a full-time volunteer in 2018, instructing primary and middle school students in Science, Myanmar, and English. I was also selected by DLC to attend the Basic Officers Training Course, becoming the youngest BB scout officer in my cohort.
After five years of volunteering at DLC, I decided to pursue further education. In 2021, I gained a place in the GED program at BEAM Education Foundation. Believing strongly in self-improvement, I studied on my own late into the night after my volunteer work each day.
About Juju
- Age: 21
- Ethnicity: Karen
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Chiang Mai University
- Bachelor’s, Social Science & Sustainable Development
- Graduated
Goals & Dreams
- Become a human rights lawyer
- Work toward justice, protection, and equal rights for children
- See the Northern Lights
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $4,650
- Amount Left To Fund: $4,625
- Contract Duration: 12 years
- Status: In Grace Period
While enrolled in the GED program, I developed a strong interest in social studies and law. Through my work with children, I had witnessed violence against them in the form of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. When I worked as an interpreter conducting surveys about migrant children for Save the Children Thailand in Mae Sot, I saw firsthand the difficulties these children faced in accessing education, basic rights, and citizenship.
These experiences deepened my understanding of how important it is to know the law — and how much is at stake when rights go unprotected. I am inspired to become a human rights advocate specializing in children’s rights in Myanmar and along the Myanmar-Thai border, ensuring that children receive justice, protection, and equal rights.
In 2022, I passed the GED exam and was accepted to study Social Science at Chiang Mai University. My family could not afford to send me, but I received a refugee scholarship and worked part-time as a bartender, translator, and language tutor to cover my first year. With Zomia’s support, I am confident I will graduate with honors and be fully equipped to begin my career advocating for Myanmar’s migrant children and refugees.
Written by Juju with editing assistance from Holland, one of Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Juju
“I firmly believe that whenever one door closes, another door opens… Life can be unpredictable at times and our plans may not go as we had hoped. Yet we must restrain ourselves and continue to focus on what we should do.”
