I may not shine as bright as the moon, but I try to shine as brightly as the stars. My name is Ziny, and I am originally from Yangon, Myanmar. I come from a middle-class family, but my life has been shaped by unexpected events that helped me grow stronger, more determined, and more independent. Every experience, whether happy or painful, has taught me that everything happens for a reason.
I studied at BEHS Thuwunna from elementary school until high school. My early childhood was peaceful and stable. My parents, my sister, and I lived happily together, and life felt simple and complete. However, one day, my father left our home, and this sudden change deeply affected our family. It marked the beginning of a difficult time in my life. After that, my mother, my sister, and I moved to live with my grandmother, who gave us love and support amidst this emotional trauma. Although my father continued paying for our school fees, my mother had to work to cover our daily expenses.
After finishing my matriculation exam, I enrolled in distance education at Dagon University so I could study while also supporting my mom financially. During that time, I looked for part-time jobs to reduce the pressure on her. It was then that I discovered my interest in design. Whenever I borrowed magazines from the bookshop, I spent a long time looking at the typography, layouts, and colors. What began as interest slowly grew into passion.
I feel very grateful to my grandmother, who gave my sister and me stability. Because of her support, I was able to focus on improving myself. I found a part-time job at a small design company. There, I learned the basics of graphic design and used different software tools. The environment was challenging but exciting, and I enjoyed learning something new every day. After only three months, I was promoted to a permanent position. This achievement was meaningful because it showed that my hard work and commitment to learn had real value. My first salary was only 100,000 MMK. It wasn’t much, but it helped support our daily expenses. To earn more, I also worked as an online shop admin, so at one point, I was working two jobs while studying. It was tiring, but I was proud that I could help my family in a small way.
About Ziny
- Ethnicity: Burmese
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Mae Fah Luang University
- Bachelor’s, Multimedia Technology & Animation
- 4th Year in Program
Goals & Dreams
- Become a 3D animator
- Buy a house for my family
- See Mount Everest in person
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $3,150
- Amount Left To Fund: $3,150
- Contract Duration: 11 years
- Status: In School
Life changed again in 2019 and 2021. During the COVID-19 pandemic, my distance education paused for a long time. Then, because of the difficult situation in Myanmar, the design company I worked for closed. In 2019, my grandmother passed away, and in 2020, I lost my father as well. These losses were heartbreaking, but they pushed me to think more seriously about my future.
I decided to continue my education and build a stable career, so I applied to Mae Fah Luang University (MFU) in Thailand and chose to study Multimedia Technology and Animation, a field that matches my passion for creative work and design. After being accepted, I continued to work hard to support myself financially.
Now, I work part-time as a student assistant in the Board Game and VR Department. I am the only international student there, and this job has helped me grow in confidence and teamwork. I help organize VR and board game events, support university students, create promotional materials, and maintain a welcoming environment for everyone there. My younger sister also studies at MFU. My mother sold our house to support our education after she stopped working.
Because of her sacrifice, I am determined to build a strong future and work in the multimedia field, a dream I have had since I was young. After graduating, I want to buy a home for my family and become a warm, supporting hand for young people from Myanmar who are struggling because of our country’s situation. I hope to use my skills to create opportunities for others and to continue shining, even if only like a star in a dark sky.
Written by Ziny with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Ziny
“I may not shine as bright as the moon, but I try to shine as brightly as the stars.”