My name is Ying, and I am Lachid, an ethnic minority from Northern Myanmar. I was born in Mawphong, a small village in Myitkyina, Kachin State, a place full of natural beauty, surrounded by mountains and rivers.
I grew up in a family of six children. My parents worked hard to provide for us, especially my father, who was the strength of our home. When I was in Grade 11, preparing for my matriculation exam, my father passed away due to kidney disease. His death left a huge hole in our lives. My mother and eldest brother did everything they could to support me, even when we had very little.
I stayed strong and focused, and in 2022 I passed the matriculation exam with a distinction in Biology. I knew my father would have been proud. However, despite my academic success, I could not attend university right away. The political crisis and the military coup forced schools and universities to close, and once again my dreams were put on hold.
Instead of giving up, I found work at an electronics shop in Myitkyina, where I spent almost two years as a salesperson and social media marketer. That experience is where I discovered my passion for business, especially marketing and customer communication. I realized that I wanted to study business and develop deeper knowledge in the field.
In 2023, I moved to Yangon to study English seriously so I could apply to universities abroad. I discovered the Panyapiwat Institute of Management (PIM) in Thailand, was impressed by its work-based learning model, and was accepted with a scholarship.
Since starting at PIM, I have worked on real-life marketing projects including the 7-Eleven Concept Store project in Phatthalung, the TagThai travel app project, and a Christmas campaign for Central Chaengwattana. During the summer, I interned at a 7-Eleven in Bangkok, learning about customer service and stock management. I also volunteered as a graphic designer and social media marketer for Invincible Glory, an education-sharing organization, leading the marketing team and creating campaigns to support students from remote areas.
About Ying
- Age: 22
- Ethnicity: Kachin, Lachid
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Panyapiwat Institute of Management
- Bachelor’s, Modern Trade Business Management
- 3rd Year in Program
Goals & Dreams
- Become an event planner or marketing manager
- Visit Paris
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $3,950
- Amount Left To Fund: $3,925
- Contract Duration: 11 years
- Status: In School
Now in my second year, I have been offered a three-month internship at a hotel front office to further develop my hospitality skills. But while I build my future, my family back home still faces great hardship. My hometown is affected by the ongoing war, the internet has been shut down, and I have no way to contact my family or receive financial support from them. It is a painful situation.
One of my favorite sayings is, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” Right now, I am still filling mine with knowledge, experience, and faith—but one day I hope to fill many others. I want to return to my community, create jobs, and support students who feel forgotten. My dream is to become a successful businesswoman, independent and capable of creating opportunities for others, and to start a business that blends modern ideas with our local identity.
Written by Ying with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Ying
“You can’t pour from an empty cup. Right now, I am still filling mine with knowledge, experience, and faith—but one day I hope to fill many others.”
