My name is Lily, and I am the eldest daughter in my family. I was born and raised in the suburbs of Yangon, Myanmar. I recently completed the first year of the Beauty Technology program at Mae Fah Luang University (MFU) in Chiang Rai, Thailand.
My father is from a small village near Hpa-an, Karen State, while my mother is from Yangon. Although my father is a simple man, he struggled with alcoholism in the past. Those years were very difficult for our family; he did not support my mother and indulged in alcohol day and night.
During that time, my mother worked tirelessly to provide for us, cutting betel nuts and selling them to local stores. Despite the long hours, her earnings were minimal. Then my grandmother was diagnosed with heart disease. We could not afford surgery and could only manage to pay for her medicine.
My father eventually returned to work as a taxi driver, but the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted his income. To assist my parents, I took a job as a kindergarten teacher at a nearby preschool. I learned a great deal from my senior teachers and gained invaluable experience. This job helped me realize my passion for sharing knowledge and educating others.
While working there, I encountered parents eager to enroll their children in school. This made me reflect on the rural families I met during visits to my relatives. Many of these parents were reluctant to educate their children, believing they should focus on labor jobs. I was struck by this, as my parents had always taught me that a good education is the key to escaping poverty.
I also taught English to some children at the preschool. They were quick learners, and I was determined to persuade their parents of the importance of education. I realized that many parents needed to be educated on this matter as well. It became clear to me that quality education is desperately needed in our country, especially for underprivileged children.
About Lily
- Age: 22
- Ethnicity: Burmese, Karen
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Mae Fah Luang University
- Bachelor’s, Beauty Technology
- 3rd Year in Program
Goals & Dreams
- Become a beauty therapist on a cruise ship
- Fund education for underprivileged youth
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $2,300
- Amount Left To Fund: $1,900
- Contract Duration: 11 years
- Status: In School
Education in Myanmar has become increasingly expensive for students and their families, requiring significant financial investment for decent classes. This poses a major challenge for low-income families like mine. However, I was fortunate to join summer English classes thanks to a teacher who offered me a significant discount on the fees. This small act had a huge impact on my educational journey.
I aspire to be someone who can provide similar opportunities to children in need. Growing up, I was never among the privileged, but I have always been a diligent and hardworking student, achieving outstanding academic results. My mother, a high school graduate, instilled in me the importance of education and raised me to be smart and brave enough to pursue my goals. She is a strong woman whom I deeply admire. I want to repay her and help lift my family out of poverty.
My ambition is to succeed in the field of Cosmetic Science and earn a good income. I aim to become a professional beauty therapist who can enhance people’s lives and improve their quality of life. My goal is to be internationally recognized and successful in this field, earning enough to fulfill my dreams of helping my family escape poverty and supporting underprivileged children in their education. Providing funding for underprivileged children to continue their studies has always been my dream too, as I believe quality education should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic background.
Written by Lily with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Lily
“My goal is to be internationally recognized and successful in Cosmetic Science, earning enough to fulfill my dreams of helping my family escape poverty and supporting underprivileged children in their education.”
