Losing both of my parents at the age of 14 significantly impacted my self-confidence, leading me to feel inferior compared to my friends and cousins. My father was the first to leave when I was young, so I did not have enough familiarity with him. My mother was the only one I depended on until her remarriage, which left me with my grandmother and aunt.
Despite feeling worthless and upset, I was able to focus on my studies thanks to the support of my grandmother and aunt. My aunt and her husband provided financial support throughout my middle and high school years, while my grandmother offered emotional guidance and motivation through her words and affection. Although I didn’t have my parents by my side, I felt proud of my accomplishments and valued by my family.
I assisted my grandmother in our home-based retail business, which sells thread accessories. After a year of helping her, I was able to manage the shop independently, saving income for my higher education while gaining valuable experience. This opportunity taught me the importance of customer service in business; for example, I increased profits by selling products that customers requested. I also faced the challenging yet exciting process of finding affordable, high-quality products from wholesalers.
This experience sparked my curiosity about a human-centered approach to the business industry and helped me understand the crucial role of entrepreneurs and businesses that invest in tailored, innovative products with the assistance of engineers. The “Business Competitive Analysis” project during my internship at Teen Hug deepened my understanding of the competitive landscape in a technology-driven economy and how information technology influences business, motivating me to explore the relationship between technology and business at both academic and professional levels.
About Mavis
- Age: 21
- Ethnicity: Burmese, Rakhine
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang
- Bachelor’s, Engineering Management & Entrepreneurship
- 2nd Year in Program
Goals & Dreams
- Become an entrepreneur
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $1,700
- Amount Left To Fund: $1,550
- Contract Duration: 10 years
- Status: In School
After graduating high school, I dedicated much of my time to community service. Volunteering as a public relations officer at the Implement Your Dream English Conversation Club improved my community skills and enhanced my ability to be an expressive individual and an active listener. Inspired by this experience, I founded a youth organization called Connect Ed, where we share educational resources online for learners. Today, Connect Ed has over 50 volunteers across Myanmar. These volunteering experiences have helped me discover my passion for assisting others, which I continue to pursue.
I have a deep admiration for engineering because I see engineers as creators who solve problems in both scientific and artistic ways. The design process of engineering products fascinates me, showcasing how creativity can bring aesthetic value to problem-solving. I have studied at KMITL for two consecutive semesters, majoring in Engineering Management and Entrepreneurship.
During my second semester, I took an “Innovation Management” course where we learned to innovate new products by considering customers’ needs and finding solutions to current problems. I participated in a project that involved studying certain brands, exploring their business models and current innovations, and predicting their future products. This hands-on experience in innovation and entrepreneurship has fueled my desire to contribute to making Myanmar an innovative country driven by technology and business.
Throughout high school, I was captivated by mathematics, which improved my logical thinking skills as I learned new formulas. As a curious student, I always sought to understand how devices function and how science explains the principles behind these products. Engineering offers me the opportunity to further my knowledge in mathematics and science while applying it to complex problems through creativity and innovation.
As a first-year student, I participated in various school projects, including volunteering with an international football club and learning about Thai language and culture. These experiences have made me more open-minded and optimistic, thanks to the support of my new classmates and professors. However, I faced financial challenges as an international student; despite my family’s efforts to support me during my first year, the inflation of the Burmese currency and limited job opportunities made it difficult. With assistance from your organization, I hope to continue my education and work towards transforming Myanmar into an innovative and tech-driven country.
Written by Mavis with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Mavis
“The hands-on experience in innovation and entrepreneurship has fueled my desire to contribute to making Myanmar an innovative country driven by technology and business.”
