My name is Julie. I am 22 years old, and I was born in Kwin Kalay Village, Kawkareik Township, Karen State, Myanmar. I have three siblings, and I am the third child. My parents are farmers with no stable income, and our family has always struggled financially. Because of this, my elder sister had to stop her education after Grade 12 and begin working.
I attended local school in my village up to Grade 4. After that, I could not continue my education due to financial hardship. In 2010, my parents sent me to CDC School in Mae Sot, Thailand, where food and accommodation were provided for migrant children. It was very difficult to live away from my parents at the age of 11.
In 2018, my father passed away after a long illness, leaving our family in debt. Due to financial difficulties, my younger brother also had to leave school after Grade 9. Despite this, I continued my studies at CDC School from Grade 5 to Grade 12 and graduated in 2018.
During my time at CDC, I took on leadership roles as a class leader and team leader in school activities. I also participated in trainings on child trafficking, first aid, and leadership development at Korea Mae Sot Cooperation Center (KMCC). After graduation, I joined a six-month vocational course at HCTC supported by the International Organization for Migration, where I studied hospitality and tourism skills.
However, this short course was not enough for me to gain the skills needed to support my community. I wanted to pursue higher education, but my migrant school certificates were not accepted by universities.
About Julie
- Ethnicity: Karen
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Asia-Pacific International University
- Bachelor’s, Business Administration, Accounting
- Graduated
Goals & Dreams
- Become an accountant, HR manager and trainer
- Visit Switzerland
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $8,050
- Amount Left To Fund: $6,550
- Contract Duration: 14 years
- Status: In Repayment
In 2019, I joined BEAM Education Foundation in Chiang Mai to prepare for the GED exam. With support from my teachers, I worked hard in my studies and participated in extracurricular activities. I also volunteered on weekends, teaching migrant children Myanmar language, Math, and English.
I passed the GED exam in 2020. Afterward, I planned to volunteer at Mae Tao Clinic, but this was canceled due to COVID-19. Instead, I began working to support myself and gain experience.
Currently, I work as an interpreter (Thai–Myanmar) at Kubota Mae Sot. I assist communication between the head office in Thailand and branches in Myanmar. Although I value this experience, my long-term goal is to obtain a university degree and contribute more meaningfully to my community.
My hometown remains underdeveloped, with limited access to education, healthcare, and basic services. Many young people leave school early, migrate for work, or marry at a young age. I want to help change this.
I plan to study Business Administration with a focus on Accounting at Asia Pacific International University. Through this, I hope to gain skills in financial management, leadership, and problem-solving.
In the future, I want to develop training programs in my community focused on education, leadership, and practical skills. I also hope to raise awareness about issues such as early marriage, substance abuse, and access to education.
After graduation, I plan to work with NGOs and bring educational opportunities back to my community. I believe that with the right knowledge and support, I can help improve the lives of people in my hometown.
Written by Julie with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Julie
“After I graduate, I am going to work for an NGO and then find opportunities to bring training courses to my community so young people can find a better future.”
