My name is Nann Kyi, and I was born in a small village called Linn Lay in Southern Shan State, Myanmar. I come from a community where education is not a priority, and most people work as gardeners throughout their lives. However, I have always had a strong determination to pursue education, despite the challenges I faced. Growing up, my family encountered additional difficulties due to my father’s struggles with alcohol and gambling. This made it even harder for us to make ends meet, and my siblings had to drop out of school. Despite these circumstances, I remained committed to my education. At the age of 10, I started working as a babysitter to earn money for my school expenses while attending sixth grade in my village school. I would attend school during the day and work as a babysitter during evenings, weekends, and holidays. It was a challenging time, but I learned the importance of hard work and perseverance.
When I turned 11, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to move to Mandalay and attend Phaung Daw Oo Monastic Education High School. The school provided free education and accommodation, which was a significant blessing for me. I embraced this chance with gratitude and worked hard to excel in my studies. I successfully graduated from high school on my first attempt, becoming the first person in my family to achieve this milestone. After high school, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for the education I had received, and I wanted to give back to my community. So, I volunteered as a librarian at Phaung Daw Oo Monastic Education High School for over six years. During my time there, I organized various activities, including English conversation classes, reading and discussion sessions, and mobile library initiatives. These experiences allowed me to develop valuable skills in communication, problem-solving, leadership, and management.
However, due to the ongoing turmoil in Myanmar, I left my country to seek safety in Chiang Mai. Thankfully, with the support of my god-grandfather, I was able to enroll at Chiang Mai University.
About Nann Kyi
- Ethnicity: Pa O
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Chiang Mai University
- Bachelor’s, Social Science & Sustainable Development
- 3rd Year in Program
Goals & Dreams
- Establish a mobile library
- Graduate from university
- Travel to Japan
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $2,950
- Amount Left To Fund: $2,600
- Contract Duration: 11 years
- Status: In School
Although the funds were only enough for a year, I am proud to be the first person in my family and among my relatives to attend an international university. A Zomia loan will provide me with a tremendous opportunity to further my knowledge and skills to make a lasting impact on education in my community. I have a strong passion for establishing a mobile library that will benefit children who lack access to educational resources. With my experience as a volunteer librarian and my determination, I am confident in my ability to bring about positive change.
Finally, my journey has been filled with challenges, but I have never let them deter me from my pursuit of education and my commitment to my community. I am immensely grateful for the opportunities that have come my way, from attending Phaung Daw Oo Monastic Education High School to volunteering as a librarian and now continuing my education at Chiang Mai University. Receiving a Zomia loan is a significant step toward realizing my dreams, providing me with the means to further develop my knowledge and skills and enabling me to establish a mobile library that will have a lasting impact on the education of children in my community. I plan to make the most of this opportunity, working tirelessly to create a brighter future for the children in my community through education.
Written by Nann Kyi with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Nann Kyi
“I come from a community where education is not a priority, and most people work as gardeners throughout their lives. However, I have always had a strong determination to pursue education, despite the challenges I faced.”
