In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Every sunset brings the promise of a new dawn.” Amidst my family’s struggles, I discovered the true meaning of hope. Navigating uncertainty and anxiety, I realized that hope is not a distant concept but a driving force propelling us forward.
My name is Me Me, and I was born and raised in Lashio, the capital of northern Shan State, Myanmar. My father, with limited formal education, prioritized learning for our family, and his focus allowed me to excel academically.
I attended No. 1 Basic Education High School, graduating with four distinctions and ranking as the second-highest scorer in my school. I still vividly recall my father’s eyes filling with tears of pride when my matriculation exam results were announced.
My father worked as an independent driver and my mother as a sales manager at an electronics showroom, both working tirelessly to maintain our family’s stability. During the COVID-19 pandemic, my aunt encouraged me to study Japanese and pursue higher education in Japan. However, my Certificate of Eligibility was denied due to financial constraints. Though disheartening, that setback fueled my resolve to find another path.
My family made an incredible sacrifice — selling my father’s automobile, our family’s financial backbone — to fund my education in Thailand. I am currently studying Tourism Business and Events at Mae Fah Luang University (MFU) in Chiang Rai.
My father found new work as a car merchant, funded in part by the sale of our family car. I also work part-time as a student assistant to ease the financial burden on my family, and in my first year I received a one-time scholarship from the MFU president worth 12,000 baht.
About Me Me
- Age: 22
- Ethnicity: Burmese
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Mae Fah Luang University
- Bachelor’s, Tourism Business & Events
- 3rd Year in Program
Goals & Dreams
- Become a university lecturer
- Learn another language
- Enjoy more sunsets
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $3,350
- Amount Left To Fund: $3,175
- Contract Duration: 11 years
- Status: In School
Beyond academics, I have volunteered as a student liaison for MFU’s 25th anniversary celebration, hosted the first secretary of South Africa, served as a campus tour guide with the MFU Student Ambassador Club, and worked as a data enumerator for the IOM Migration Agency, deepening my empathy and research skills through direct contact with Myanmar migrants in Thailand.
Observing how countries like Thailand have transformed tourism into a major contributor to national income, I hope to promote Myanmar as a travel destination and eventually become a lecturer guiding future students in developing their country’s tourism potential.
In my second year, my family faced new hardship. Since late June 2024, Lashio has been caught in severe conflict, bringing widespread destruction and disruption. My father, approaching sixty, had to support not only our immediate family but also my mother’s, and they undertook a difficult journey to Panglong, leaving their possessions behind. My family now relies on my sister’s monthly income of less than $500. Despite all of this, I remain committed to my studies and determined to realize my dream of becoming a university lecturer and making a meaningful impact on the world.
Written by Me Me with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Me Me
“Hope is not just a distant concept but a driving force that propels us forward.”