My name is July. I was born in Mon State, Myanmar. My father passed away not long after I was born. He was a soldier, and my mother stayed at home to take care of my siblings. My family consists of four brothers and two sisters, and I am the youngest.
My village was in a dangerous situation at that time. Due to conflict, my father was taken away and never returned in 1996. As a result, our family lost its main provider. My three brothers and one sister were unable to attend school because my mother could not afford the expenses. One of my brothers had to live and work with another family.
Our village was small, with very few job opportunities. Most villagers were farmers, but we did not own any land. Because of these challenges, my siblings were forced to move to Thailand to survive. Life without a dependable father was very difficult for our family.
My older sister completed her high school education in a refugee camp. She struggled to continue her studies on her own. After she returned to the village, we lost contact with her, and she never came back home. This was very difficult for my family.
Later, my mother, my brother, and I moved to Thailand so that I could continue my education. My mother has been living in Mae Sot with my older sister since arriving in Thailand. I began school in my village in third grade, then continued in Thailand, attending CDC school for grades 4 and 5. After that, I moved to the Umphiem refugee camp to continue my studies.
I lived in a dormitory in Umphiem camp for five years and completed my high school education there. Although I was far from my family, I became stronger and gained valuable knowledge and experience about refugee life.
After finishing high school, I continued my studies at Kaw Tha Blay Learning Centre, where I completed two more years after tenth grade.
About July
- Age: 29
- Ethnicity: Karen
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Mae Fah Luang University
- Bachelor’s, Business Administration
- Graduated
Goals & Dreams
- Prove that refugee students can succeed
- Start a business and provide jobs to others
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $2,000
- Amount Left To Fund: $0
- Contract Duration: 10 years
- Status: In Repayment
Quotable
What Others Are Saying About July
There, I developed practical skills and learned how to work with others through activities such as farming, dancing, cleaning, and harvesting. I also gained knowledge in community health, economics, computer skills, politics, and agriculture.
Later, I attended BEAM Education Foundation in Chiang Mai, where I studied for the GED. I also gained experience as an apprentice in management at Mae Tao Clinic while volunteering in health promotion to educate patients.
Although my family cannot afford my tuition, they have always encouraged me to continue my education. In 2018, I enrolled at Mae Fah Luang University and I am currently a third-year Business Administration student. I enjoy studying here because I have met many students from different countries and gained new experiences. I have also participated in various activities, including volunteer and cultural programs.
In the future, I want to become a businesswoman so that I can help my community create job opportunities and improve their lives. I also want to support sustainable development and show that migrant and refugee students can succeed and be recognized in the global community.
Written by July with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
July
“I also want to support sustainable development and show that migrant and refugee students can succeed and be recognized in the global community.”