Change in the Community

Myanmar is lacking the skilled, educated workforce it so badly needs to repair its damaged infrastructure, and support the peaceful rebuilding of the country. After graduation, it can be very overwhelming for returning students to know how to put their skills and enthusiasm to best use, and make their visions for changing Myanmar a reality.

A very high percentage of our change makers go back to Myanmar in the years after their graduation; since 2011 over 75% of our alumni have returned to Myanmar within a year of graduating. Those that don’t return often go on to contribute to their country in other ways, and can be found working at INGOs or advising international policy. Upon their return, our Prospect Burma Myanmar Office introduces graduates to our network of change makers, helping them form vital contacts and find career opportunities. Our annual alumni conference offers an opportunity to meet and network with each other, as well as take part in workshops and sessions relating to issues which affect their communities. We carefully monitor their progress which helps inform our future planning, and enables us to offer them the support they need to make their ideas a reality. In a country so lacking in skilled and educated people, our change makers go on to become leaders in their communities, and over the years we are proud to have witnessed incredible achievements.

Elizabeth_2

Meet Elizabeth

Elizabeth sadly lost her father when she was only two years old, and went to live in an orphanage which was run by her Uncle. Growing up there, she witnessed and experienced a huge amount of pain, from children who had lost relatives due to disease.

“Seeing this happen many times and experiencing it myself, made me determined to one day be able to help,” she told us. She was determined to study and gain an education which would help her to support other people who had experienced similar things to herself, and help to prevent death through curable diseases.

Elizabeth told us: “Chin State is an area which is under development because of its geography and difficult history, so we need to inspire the people and provide education on health as well as on prevention of disease. We need to help our people in various ways as most of the rural people are dependent upon agriculture, farming, animal husbandry, and fishing. Based on this, by cooperating with communities, we can share knowledge on how to improve agriculture, bring innovation into agriculture and entrepreneurship into the rural economy. To improve our lives in Chin State, we also need the participation of rural people themselves to meet the needs of their own communities. It is my future plan to serve the people of Chin State and Myanmar in the field of health care as well as in other aspects of life, as I am able.”

After working hard for many years, Elizabeth realised her dream and is now undertaking a Bachelors of Medical Laboratory Technology in India. She is currently completing her final year of study, after which she will return to Chin State and begin her new career as a nurse, working in one of the most remote and underserved parts of Myanmar.

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