My name is Nu Nu and I am a third-year Social Science student at Chiang Mai University. There are four members in my family. Since I was born, there has been only one person supporting me to receive a good education and a better life, and she is none other than my precious mother.
From when I was studying at primary school in my village in Paung, Myanmar, until I finished my GED in Thailand, my mother has worked hard and taken care of me and my brother regardless of how unwell she has been. My father has been in jail for almost 14 years. My older brother dropped out of school and got married while my mother was not feeling well, leaving her to carry everything on her own.
When I was young, it was difficult to get to school during the rainy season because of heavy flooding every year. On top of that, due to armed conflict near our village, we had to flee our home very often. I eventually migrated to Mae Sot, Thailand, and stayed at my aunt’s place while my mother was away looking for work.
I was enrolled in a migrant learning center where I continued my education through grade 12. I enjoyed life in the new environment, making friends from different cultural backgrounds. However, our migrant certificates were not recognized by either Thailand or Myanmar, making it impossible to pursue higher education.
I was fortunate enough to win a scholarship from the Children’s Development Centre to complete a one-year GED program, and with that certificate I was able to join Chiang Mai University, majoring in Social Science. Thanks to a former teacher, I was able to manage my fees for the first two years.
About Nu Nu
- Age: 27
- Ethnicity: Karen
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Chiang Mai University
- Bachelor’s, Social Science
- Graduated
Goals & Dreams
- Become a social worker
- Travel to Paris
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $2,675
- Amount Left To Fund: $0
- Contract Duration: 11 years
- Status: Repaid in Full
Quotable
What Others Are Saying About Nu Nu
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit Thailand, my mother lost her job and was unemployed for several months. She took out loans to cover both my expenses and her own, and then contracted Covid-19 herself and was hospitalized for several days. She has since found new work but continues to struggle with repaying those loans.
Despite all of these difficulties, I have never thought about giving up — for my own sake and for hers. She has made so many sacrifices for me without ever complaining. I want to make her proud.
Another of my goals is to become a social worker and help others as much as I can. Now in my third year, I have gained the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to become an effective social worker. I also hope to pursue further studies at some point and become a lecturer, sharing my knowledge with students and inspiring them with what I have learned.
Written by Nu Nu with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Nu Nu
“[My mother] has made so many sacrifices for me without ever complaining. I want to make her proud.”