Ever since I was young, my parents pushed me to excel in my education, driven by the hope of breaking free from the cycle of poverty. I was born in a small village in the Bago region, where my mother and older siblings worked in the paddy fields while my father traveled to Yangon by train in search of better opportunities. My mother did not finish high school, but my father earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics.
In 2008, my family moved to Yangon when my father received a job at the Karen Baptist Convention. It was a turning point in my life. For the first time, I had access to formal education. In the village, I had used a stone board instead of books and pens. I struggled at first to keep up with my peers, but I persevered because I understood the hardships my parents endured. I wanted to make them proud and ensure that every penny they spent on my education was worthwhile. Through hard work, I received awards and strong grades in school.
In 2019, after completing my matriculation, I joined the Myanmar Institute of Theology. The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent situation disrupted my studies. As the only sibling who had performed well academically, I carried the weight of my parents’ expectations and experienced a mental breakdown worrying about an uncertain future. My father retired that year, and my family faced significant financial difficulties. I tutored primary school students to help, but after six months I knew I needed to move forward.
In 2021, I began applying for scholarships and universities abroad. I received acceptance letters but no financial support, and I lost hope of studying abroad. Then, in June 2022, I received an email from Chiang Mai University informing me I had been selected for a scholarship interview. Out of two candidates, I was chosen and awarded full tuition for four years of study. My family felt mixed emotions — happy but worried about accommodation and food costs. My father was so enthusiastic that he took a loan from friends to support my move to Thailand in July 2022.
About Nandar
- Age: 24
- Ethnicity: Karen
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Chiang Mai University
- Bachelor’s, Social Science & Sustainable Development
- 4th Year in Program
Goals & Dreams
- Become a social worker
- Build a learning center in a rural area
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $4,225
- Amount Left To Fund: $3,875
- Contract Duration: 12 years
- Status: In School
Almost two years into my studies, I have gained invaluable knowledge. When I chose Social Sciences and Sustainable Development, I had no prior knowledge of the field. These two years have shown me its importance for someone from Myanmar. The program has broadened my understanding of political and social issues and helped me analyze the situation in my country and assess the needs of those in difficulty.
I have also engaged with the Burmese community in Thailand and volunteered with the Asian Justice and Rights organization. Connecting with Karen community leaders has inspired me to contribute to my people, and a school field trip to MAP Foundation sparked my interest in working with migrant workers. I am equally passionate about women’s empowerment. Ultimately, I want to be a social worker who contributes to community development.
Written by Nandar with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Nandar
“I wanted to make [my parents] proud and ensure that every penny they spent on my education was worthwhile.”
