Help Shin Finish University After the Myanmar Earthquake

Hello, my name is Shin.

I'm a second-year Bioengineering student at the University of Sheffield, doing my best to fund my final year. I never thought I’d be in a position to ask for support like this, but after everything that has happened back home, I’ve realized I can’t do this alone.

On 28 March, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar. My hometown, Mandalay, was hit hard and is very close to the epicentre. The destruction has been widespread. My neighbourhood, the place I grew up in has been devastated. Streets I used to walk every day, shops and restaurants I visited, homes of family friends and people I’ve known my whole life so much of it has been damaged or lost.

I’m incredibly grateful that my family is safe. Compared to many others, I know I’m still fortunate. Right now, people back home are in urgent need of clean water, shelter, and basic medical care. My parents are doing what they can to support our community, even while dealing with the effects on their own lives.

Their business has had to stop for now because of the earthquake. They’re hoping to reopen when things stabilize, but at the moment, there’s no income from it. They’re able to manage daily life in Myanmar, but they simply can’t afford to support my university tuition while recovering from everything that’s happened.

I’m working part-time and covering my living expenses on my own, but the cost of my final year £27,000 , is more than I can handle alone.

All donations will go directly toward paying my tuition fees. Your support will solely be used to help me complete my degree.

This degree means everything to me. I’ve worked so hard to get here, and I don’t want to lose the opportunity to graduate. If you’re able to help, even a small donation would mean so much. And if you can’t donate, just sharing this page would already be a huge help.

Thank you so much for reading, and for any support you can offer.

-Shin

My interview with the BBC