I am Sut Ing from Kachin State in Myanmar, dedicated to being an agent of social change for a better society.
The best jadeite jade in the world comes from Hpakant, my hometown in Kachin State in northern Myanmar, where one of the world’s most prolonged civil wars has taken place.
Since childhood, I have seen people risk their lives in dangerous jade mining areas to earn a living, despite frequent landslides. The bigger the scale of exploitation, the worse the environmental degradation in my hometown. Many of the jade stone scavengers I saw were migrants and drug addicts, and when they died, their families often had no way of finding out what had happened to them.
These experiences made me ponder a deeper question: why is my country still poor when it is so rich in natural resources? I also became curious about what options exist for young people beyond the jade mines. That curiosity motivated me to pursue higher education and explore both the problems and possible solutions.
After being admitted to Hong Kong Baptist University, I learned more about the impact of war on everything from business to education. In my homeland, the rich have grown richer from jade mining while the poor suffer from environmental degradation and the drug crisis. Many young people have stopped imagining other paths for their lives, believing that jade mining is the fastest route to wealth.
During my studies, I came to understand that although I cannot challenge the system directly through education alone, I can start by inspiring young people to pursue a quality education and believe in alternatives.
About Sut Ing
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Hong Kong Baptist University
- Bachelor’s, Government & International Studies
- Graduated
Goals & Dreams
- Become a diplomat
- Educate young people in my community
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $4,775
- Amount Left To Fund: $4,775
- Contract Duration: 12 years
- Status: In Repayment
I want to tell young people that being born in a jade mining city does not have to mean risking your life every day. There are more sustainable ways to build a future, and Myanmar should not be left emptied of its resources and people once the wars and conflicts end.
Education is the most powerful tool available to me. When I graduate, I will dedicate myself to bringing quality education to young people in my community. Studying abroad is not an option for everyone, and I understand that receiving this opportunity means I am being given a chance to serve. There is no better calling than that.
Written by Sut Ing with editing assistance from Holland, one of Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Sut Ing
“Being born in a jade mining city does not have to mean risking your life every day. There are more sustainable ways to build a future, and Myanmar should not be left emptied of its resources and people once the wars and conflicts end.”