When Mountains Speak: Echoes of Namhsan
VD is a student from Namhsan, Palaung Self-Administered Zone in Northern Shan State, who found himself challenged as he pursued his studies in the United States. At the same time, his heart remains deeply connected to his homeland. His journey is a testament to resilience and determination to make a positive impact. He was interviewed on July 5, 2023.
“In my view, actual change begins with building human resources and enabling individuals at the local level. With adequate local change, achieving self-determination and social justice on a national scale is more accessible.”
"Back in Namhsan, I had been fervently dedicated to a social business venture that I co-founded. Every morning, I would drive to the training center, but one day, I encountered a sudden loss of internet connectivity. At first, this didn't trouble me much, but once the connection was restored, I was bombarded with the alarming news. I felt a sense of emptiness and a looming uncertainty about the future. What would become of my social enterprise, which I had poured my heart and soul into for so long? The dreams of running a successful social business and establishing a community school seemed to hang in the balance, almost as if my future and my social enterprise's future had vanished in the blink of an eye.
My emotions mirrored those of my peers, but they contrasted with the perspectives of the older generation. Frustration began to build as I realized that my plans for the social enterprise and community might not materialize as envisioned. In response, my compatriots and I took to the streets and initiated peaceful demonstrations in our hometown.
Fast forward to the present, I have now moved to the United States, thanks to the Lincoln Scholarship program. My initial intention had been to invest much of my effort into my entrepreneurial venture and then focus on my studies. However, the political upheaval back home led me to a crossroads. Should I stay and join the revolution or continue my studies? Seeking guidance, I turned to my former teachers. Thinking about the long-term perspective, I pursued my education and continued my non-violent efforts to help and empower the younger generation. I aspired to complete my master’s degree and pursue a PhD in education while remaining connected to and supportive of my community.
Though I faced the challenge of staying motivated amidst the turmoil, I took on a part-time job at a sushi restaurant, drawing upon my background in sociology to observe society and people. This work allowed me to remain present in the moment and stay busy. During my free time, I dedicated myself to learning, networking with my community, and maintaining focus.
I acknowledged the potential pitfalls of excessive social media use and the temptation to join various movements. I aimed to avoid overthinking and comparisons with others. My short-term plan is to complete my master's degree, find a job in the United States or Southeast Asia for a year, and continue my studies afterwards, taking life one step at a time.
Despite the physical distance, I remained involved in education efforts, serving on the Ta'ang National Education Committee, offering advice, and assisting with proposal writing. I was determined to continue my organization, focusing on providing training and education and establishing a community library. My ultimate goal is to nurture critical thinking skills among young people, empowering them to become leaders rather than blind followers.
What indeed fueled my hope was an inner peace that I have been cultivating. I believe I can significantly impact my community and education in Myanmar, even if it takes time. My motivation stems from my desire to connect individuals from my community to external educational institutions. I recognize the importance of building human resources and empowering local families to care for one another and achieve self-sufficiency. My vision extends to creating a community school, a crucial long-term goal.
In my view, actual change begins with building human resources and enabling individuals at the local level. With adequate local change, achieving self-determination and social justice on a national scale is more accessible. I hold onto my dream of a federal democracy and the pursuit of social justice, aware that there is still much work to be done before these ideals can be fully realized."
These stories are collected by the Real Stories Not Tales team. Real Stories Not Tales is a dedicated team in and out of Myanmar that aims to bring awareness to the reality of people's lives since the Myanmar military staged a coup on February 1st, 2021. Stories are collected through interviews with each protagonist by the team, either in Burmese or in English. Each character is drawn by a professional illustrator. RSNT is an anonymous name that is used by the group to guarantee security to all parties involved in the collection of the stories.