Phue: A young girl on the brink of her education journey
Phue is a 13-year-old, friendly and sociable girl studying in Grade 5. She enjoys the Myanmar subject and has a keen interest in drawing. Phue lives with her parents and four siblings in a crumbling house built on land owned by someone else. Her father works odd jobs when available, while her mother sells fish and occasionally takes on other labor work. Despite their struggles, Phue remains a bright and hopeful child.
Phue has two elder sisters (aged 17 and 15) and two younger brothers (aged 10 and 8). Both her elder sisters were forced to drop out of school when they were in Grade 5 due to the family’s financial difficulties. Now, the eldest sister works alongside their mother, selling fish when they get supplies from local fishermen. On days when there are no fish, their mother does random jobs like washing clothes and cleaning homes to make ends meet. Phue's second sister sells snacks, which their mother prepares every morning before leaving for work.
Phue’s father has a chronic health condition that causes body swelling. Unfortunately, the family cannot afford a proper medical check-up, leaving them reliant on traditional remedies that are often ineffective. When his condition worsens, the family uses their small savings—usually intended as investment capital for their snack business—to pay for treatment. This cycle of illness, borrowing money at high interest rates, and trying to restart their small business has trapped them in a relentless cycle of debt.
The family generates an income of less than $4 per day to support a household of seven. Their situation has worsened with the current economic downturn, rising inflation, and skyrocketing prices of basic commodities. Job opportunities are scarce, and the family’s financial struggles continue to deepen.
Phue has been a part of World Vision’s Area Development Programme since she was 7 years old. As a sponsored child, she and her family received essential support, including school supplies like stationery, backpacks, books, and food baskets containing rice, oil, and other necessities. Phue has also participated in child protection and life skills training, while she and her mother joined a reading club last year.
Despite this support, the challenges the family faces are immense. Phue walks to school every day with her two younger brothers, but she is now considering dropping out of school to help her family financially. Her father’s illness and the constant economic strain weigh heavily on her mind. Although she dreams of becoming a teacher and serving her community, her education journey is at risk of ending.
World Vision’s Ultra Poor Graduation Programme, which her family previously participated in, provided some assistance through livelihood support. However, with the area programme now focusing only on Health and Education, combined with ongoing economic hardships, Phue’s family continues to struggle.
Phue’s story highlights the harsh realities of poverty and the fragility of education for children like her. With the right support, she could continue her studies and work toward her dream of becoming a teacher. Without it, Phue risks following in her elder sisters’ footsteps, sacrificing her education to help her family survive.