Yoon's promise: A dream to be a future doctor
Yoon, a resilient 12-year-old girl with a strong desire to become a doctor, resides in the village of Thanlyin Township, Yangon. Her dream is inspired by the tragic loss of her father to Tuberculosis (TB), and she aspires to heal others suffering from the same ailment.
Yoon pledged, "I will not let such a TB tragedy befall another family."
She has three family members – her mother and two elder brothers. However, the financial challenges force her family to live separately. She currently stays with her grandfather and eldest brother, who works as a painter. Her mother works as a kitchen assistant in the distant Northern Shan State, and her other sibling lives with their aunt.
For the last three or four years, Yoon hasn't lived with her mother, reflecting, “She had been working in other places, far from home, before moving to Shan State, which is even farther away.”
In July 2019, Yoon joined World Vision Myanmar's sponsorship programme at the age of eight. The intervention of World Vision in her village prompted her mother to register her, opening doors to a world of opportunities. She received essential soft skill training, covering child protection and participation, life skills, self-esteem development, and digital child safeguarding. Her family, too, benefited from food and grocery provisions, nutritional supplements, and educational materials, easing some of their burdens.
“These soft skill training not only equipped me with the knowledge to protect myself but also bolstered my confidence and communication skills,” Yoon said. “I became aware of the importance of equality and diversity within my community.”
As a sponsored child, Yoon has received heartfelt messages and gift cards from her compassionate sponsored family in Australia, creating a bond between them. She expressed gratitude and well-wishes in her replies, translated by World Vision staff. She mentioned, “I was over the moon every time I received the card. I wanted to say ‘Thank You’ to my sponsored family in English.”
The continued correspondence, including a recent education bounce-back card, has served as a powerful motivator for Yoon to excel in her studies, particularly in English. Yoon said, “English is the most challenging subject for me, and it plays a vital role in realizing my dream of becoming a doctor.”
The English-language cards not only improved her vocabulary but also contributed to her creative and innovative skills, expanding her knowledge of Australian animals and general knowledge. Sometimes, she played neighbouring children in puzzles from the cards, sharing the knowledge she gained.
Beyond personal growth, these cards fueled Yoon's determination to communicate effectively in English with her Australian sponsors. She acknowledged the cards' meaningful impact on her life, providing a sense of care and support, especially in the absence of her mother.
Yoon shared her aspirations, saying, “One day, I will proudly send a letter to my Australian-sponsored family in English, proclaiming that I am a doctor now."
Since October 2018, the Thanlyin Area Programme has been diligently implementing various technical projects for the betterment of the community. In this fiscal year (FY23), these initiatives have reached and benefited a substantial number of registered children (RC) and their parents. Specifically, 539 RC children, comprised of 289 girls and 250 boys, have received essential training in child-safe digital practices. Additionally, 300 RC children, with 160 girls and 140 boys, have been educated in life skills awareness. Furthermore, 194 RC children, 107 girls, and 87 boys, have gained valuable insights into health awareness related to reproductive health. Notably, the programme has also conducted parent meetings, engaging 1,319 RC children's parents (1,100 women and 219 men).