My name is Zayar and I was born in Yangon, Myanmar. My father worked as a gate security guard in the government railway sector, earning a modest salary. I have three older sisters and am the youngest in my family.
Both of my parents were illiterate, and due to financial hardship my father could not fully support our education. Tragically, my mother passed away from untreated diabetes in 2008 because we could not afford her medical care.
We later moved to Thailand to pursue educational opportunities. After eight months of hardship in Umphiem Refugee Camp, I had the chance to continue my education from Grade 6 through Grade 12.
After completing my studies, I worked as a mental health counselor for the American Refugee Committee to enhance service provision in my community.
I then studied at Australian Catholic University (ACU), earning a diploma in liberal arts studies. After graduating from ACU, I worked as an organizational development training coordinator for Mae Tao Clinic‘s Ethnic Health System Strengthening Group (EHSSG), a CBO that delivers and promotes ethnic health systems in areas where the government cannot provide services.
This work with ethnic communities across Myanmar prepared me to pursue a degree in International Political Economy and Development at Rangsit University. After graduating, I am committed to returning to the EHSSG and contributing to the development of a health federal system among ethnic groups in Myanmar.
About Zayar
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Rangsit University
- Bachelor’s, International Relations & Development
- Graduated
Goals & Dreams
- Become a consultant
- Visit Vietnam
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $1,400
- Amount Left To Fund: $625
- Contract Duration: 10 years
- Status: In Repayment
I am currently a final-year student working on my thesis. Without support from Zomia, I will not be able to defend my thesis this coming August and graduate in December. The work I have done — from counseling refugees in a camp to coordinating health system development across ethnic communities — has brought me to this point. I am determined to finish, and to put everything I have learned to use for the communities that need it most.
Written by Zayar with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Zayar
“The work I have done — from counseling refugees in a camp to coordinating health system development across ethnic communities — has brought me to this point. I am determined to finish.”