Education in Myanmar: challenges created by an unstable political environment
Since its independence in 1948, Myanmar has been through a variety of political regimes and has been scarred by instability and incessant civil wars. […]
VOICES FROM ASIA: The resilient path of a young Kachin
In northern Myanmar, a 28-year-old Kachin travels from village to village, meeting your sponsored children. His touching story, echoing that of thousands of Burmese children, is one of unwavering determination, selflessness, and resilience—qualities that are crucial for sustaining hope for Myanmar’s future. A story of hope and strength.
WRITTEN BY ANNE MONMOTON – ILLUSTRATIONS: CANVA
The resilient path of a young Kachin
John lives in a country torn by conflict, yet his words carry no hint of violence. Above all, he is a man of great heart, and this is reflected in the honesty of his gaze. Far from the sounds of bombs, in the calm of Yangon, Myanmar’s economic capital, he speaks with quiet dignity about his journey and how he began to work with Children of the Mekong.
As the year draws to a close, the team finishes a few days of training. Everyone openly shares the joys and challenges they have faced in their roles. For almost a year now, John has served as the local coordinator for the northern part of the country. Alongside two other volunteers responsible for the central and southern regions, he has taken over from the overseas volunteers, who can no longer stay in the country due to the political situation. Together, they are now responsible for managing the programmes and maintaining communication with the sponsors. John meets with the programme managers, spending time with each one, answering questions, visiting sponsored children within their families, or joining the children at their boarding houses. “I love my job!” he says with sincerity. It allows him to travel, meet new people, and, most importantly, help young people from poor backgrounds access education. “I am truly grateful and motivated. I am so proud of what I do!” he adds.
A CHALLENGING CHILDHOOD
John was born in the mining town of Hpakant, the heart of the gemstone trade. He grows up with his younger brother and mother. His father, of Chinese descent and Buddhist tradition, who has already been married, abandons the family when John is only four, leaving his mother to raise their two children alone.
John spends the following years seeing his father only occasionally, as he has moved further south to Mandalay to live with his five older half-sisters. The difficult circumstances of John’s childhood fuel his ambition to become an engineer and build a home of his own. “When I was nine, my mother suggested I become a doctor, but I told her I wanted to be an engineer so I could build our own house.” Unfortunately, he has to abandon his dream because of financial difficulties, despite meeting the necessary requirements to pursue this path after high school. Disciplined and observant, John engages easily with others and takes a pragmatic approach to programme management, making him a natural fit for his current position.
John lights up when he talks about his full life. His mother, a Catholic of Kachin descent, like most in this minority group, passed away when he was still a teenager. Yet, the choices she made for her sons would shape their future.
The Kachin take great pride in their traditions, language, culture, and identity.
The Kachin, who make up just 2% of Myanmar’s population, take great pride in their traditions, language, culture, and identity, as well as the abundant natural resources in their region, including precious gemstones and timber. Preserving Kachin traditions is both a priority and a responsibility. When John and his younger brother are sent to the Saint-Patrick Catholic boarding house in Hpakant, as per their mother’s and aunt’s wishes, it is to keep them from being taken by their father – which often happens in separated families in Myanmar – and raised far from their Kachin heritage and faith.
John not only keeps his native language and culture alive, but also thrives at the boarding house. He makes friends and, like many others, experiences the benefits of education in a nurturing environment. He is fortunate to receive an education, gain personal guidance, and build a solid foundation for his future. It is clear from his expression when he interacts with the young people during his visits that he cherishes those memories.
A SHATTERED DREAM
When John is in his final year of secondary school, he successfully passes the highly selective Matriculation Exam and choses “to follow his dream.” Although life has stood in the way of his childhood ambition to become an engineer, it has also strengthened his ability to adapt and overcome obstacles, leaving little room for regret. He is able to enrol in an engineering programme at the College Technique General for seven years. Everything is in place for his dream to come true, but he soon realises that he has no resources and will never be able to complete his studies without external support: “I had no other choice but to put my dream on hold.”
Encouraged by a mentor who told him that mastering English would open many doors, he moves to Rangoon to learn the language, and then studies accounting. He is financially supported by one of his brothers-in-law, who runs a motorcycle spare parts business. He works for him for free for four years. Meanwhile, he enrolls in a philosophy course at Myitkinia University, a less popular field with a degree that is relatively easy to obtain. John spends several years working for his brother-in-law, travelling across the Central region. His friendly nature, reliability, and enthusiasm make him a valuable asset. Driven by a love for meeting new people and exploring new places, he decides to start his own spare parts business.
He returns to Hpakant in 2022 and launches a small business, “Double Scorpion Company,” hoping for success. However, the 2021 coup and the subsequent unrest puts an end to his plans. A few months later, he is forced to stop, as the dangers of looters and clashes make it virtually impossible for him to travel around.
At that point, John decides to follow the call of Father James Zung Ding, his mentor and head of the Saint-Patrick boarding house. “I wanted to give back what I had received; it felt good to share, as I had benefited so much from my time there.”
He begins teaching English to secondary school students and supports them daily, all on a voluntary basis. He is eager to guide these teenagers as they navigate their way to understanding who they are. He has a natural talent for listening, choosing the right words, adopting the approach that helps them grow, boosting their confidence, and helping them make decisions that will shape their future. “I shared my experience, my training, my jobs… how I made my way,” he recalls, with a hint of nostalgia.
In 2024, he reconnects with Sister Rita, whom he met during his English studies in Rangoon. Like him, she is Kachin and works as a programme manager for Children of the Mekong. She recommends him for the position of local coordinator. He seizes the opportunity and travels throughout northern Myanmar, visiting remote areas to meet those who would never have had access to support without the charity.
His helpfulness, ease with people, and willingness to train and support programme managers make him highly regarded. The positive feedback says it all. “It was always my goal to help those who want to go to school. Now that I have the chance, I want to share it so others can have the same opportunity. Despite the situation in my country, I hope to help more and do better in the future,” he says with determination. The team nods in approval.
Some add a few words to show they relate to his journey. The circle is complete: the unfulfilled dream of a young boy has turned into a life dedicated to helping others pursue their dreams. It shows that even those from poor backgrounds can be role models of responsibility in their community. What John has received, he wants others to benefit from, and what he never had, he hopes others will gain through him. In a country torn by civil war and ruled by a military junta that refuses to share its power, his story stands as a powerful reminder that even in the most challenging circumstances, one individual can inspire change.
It brings me joy to give back because I received so much during my years at the boarding house
ADDITIONAL STORIES ABOUT MYANMAR
Children in Myanmar are facing an unprecedented crisis
The number of children out of school in Myanmar has more than doubled in two years, with about half of the country’s children now […]
“In Myanmar, the worst is yet to come” – an exclusive interview
Since the beginning of the military coup d’etat in February 2021, the people continue to live in serious dangers and uncertainties in every aspect […]
