I still vividly remember my intense desire to escape the refugee camp and resettle in the United States. Witnessing my mother’s struggle following my father’s passing in December of 2009, I was determined to alleviate her hardships. Prayers for miracles and new opportunities filled my heart, as I knew deep down that a lifelong stay in the refugee camp was not my destiny.

In 2011, our dreams came true, and we arrived in the US with hopes of a better life. However, the journey has not been without its challenges. Initially residing in Las Vegas for 16 months, we eventually moved to Omaha in search of employment opportunities for my mother. Seeing how tirelessly she worked to adjust to a new language, culture and way of life left a lasting impression on me. Despite the hardships, she never gave up.

During my time at Benson High School, I was blessed to meet remarkable leaders who would later become lifelong mentors. Through an after-school migrant program called Thrive, I was introduced to the profound concept of servant leadership. This transformative community has had a huge impact on my life. In 2013, I proudly became the first female president of the Thrive club and have since engaged in numerous other leadership positions. I would like to extend my gratitude and acknowledge the invaluable guidance and support provided by my mentors, Coach Cangas, Coach Eric, and Goach G.

In my senior year, I was incredibly privileged to be awarded the prestigious Buffett scholarship, which granted me a full-tuition to pursue my education. As a first-generation college student lacking role models, I grappled with uncertainty during the initial two years of my undergraduate journey. However I eventually chose to pursue a major in Communications and a minor in Sociology, both of which emphasized leadership. These programs resonate deeply with me, allowing me to understand my personal journey and equipping me with the tools to become an even more effective servant leader.

After earning my Bachelor’s degree, I embarked on a life-changing journey by dedicating two months to volunteer as a teacher in Karen State, Burma. This Journey exposed me to the struggles of my own people in their pursuit of self-determination and independence. A deep passion for education blossomed within me and a sense of purpose began to crystalize.

Upon returning to the US, I joined the US National Service Program as an AmeriCorps college coach, driven to assist economically disadvantaged students in their pursuit of higher education. Unfortunately, the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic two months before the completion of my service term brought feelings of hopelessness. However I was determined not to give into despair, so I made a conscious effort to use my free time productively.

Thus, I started recording and sharing my educational journey on Facebook, creating a platform I named Karen Educational Resources. The goal of this endeavor was to provide educational resources tailored to the Karen audience. The response was overwhelming, as I received an abundance of positive feedback and established collaborations with numerous scholars from the Karen/Knyaw communities worldwide. Over the course of three years, we have produced over 90 educational videos and have more than 16,000 followers.

I am dedicated to creating more content to add value to my community. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the Mentors Foundation for their invaluable guidance and unwavering support. Special thanks go to my mentors for introducing and nominating me to be a mentee. I am also immensely grateful to Mentors staff whose mentorship has played a pivotal role in shaping my journey. I am forever grateful for the trust Mentors Foundation has placed in me and the opportunities they have provided.