Stand with Nan: Education Needs Support

Hi, my name is Mia. I've been working with amazing students for over ten years, and I have a student from Burma who has recently lost her hard-earned scholarship.

She was set to graduate in July 2026, studying education in order to serve students in marginalized communities in northern Burma. But now her two year scholarship to a Philippine university has been cancelled. Nan is committed to working for her expenses, but still needs help to cover tuition ($1200 total) and housing ($150 per month.)

Nan's story below is inspiring, and I hope you'll take a moment to read. In a time of such uncertainty for people around the world, help build the world we all dream of... one of peace and hope:

Hello, everyone. My name is Nan. Education has always been my greatest mission, not just for myself but for the underserved in my community. Growing up in an IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) Camp in Myanmar for 15 years, I have seen how political instability, civil war, and extreme poverty robbed children of their right to learn. Many of my childhood friends were forced to abandon their education for income in dangerous work like mining, while others became victims of child labor, human trafficking, drug addiction, and early marriages.

But before I even reached the IDP camp, my journey was one of terror and survival. I still shudder when I recall the night my family and I were forced to flee our village. When the conflict took place, we had no choice but to run and leave behind everything we knew. We spent the nights hiding in the jungle, barely breathing, terrified that even the slightest sound could lead to our capture. Our only hope was to reach the IDP camp, where we might at least find shelter, even if it was not home.

After three days of hunger and exhaustion, we arrived. But the camp was not the relief we had hoped for. Overcrowded, limited education, and under-resourced, it barely provided enough to survive. My family squeezed into a small shelter, too tiny to fit us all. Going to school, we were crammed together, sharing a single small table amongst the many students. And the shortage of teachers often meant that entire days passed without a single lesson, leaving us longing for the education desperately needed.

But I am determined to break the cycle of poverty through education. After finishing high school, I gave back to my community, working as a teacher for 3 years. I was given the chance to pursue a BA degree in Bangladesh, which I completed in 2022. After graduation, I both worked as a language teacher in my community and offered IDP students free English training and mentorship to apply for university. I am proud that 40 students from my community have received full scholarships as a result of this program. Through this work, more students from my community can now access life-changing educational opportunities.

But today, my own education is at risk. My scholarship has been canceled, leaving me stranded in a foreign country, the Philippines – with no means to continue my master’s degree in education. I am nearly halfway through my studies in language education at Saint Louis University. Returning to my IDP camp is impossible due to the ongoing conflict, lack of electricity, and unstable internet, which make survival difficult, let alone studying.

Finishing my degree would cost $4000, and this investment impacts not just my life, but many displaced young people who are struggling for their futures. No matter how small, every contribution helps. My education will change my life and help me uplift an entire community that has been deprived of educational opportunities for far too long. Thank you for standing with me in this critical moment.