Investing in women leading the change

Mi Win Thida, one of Wedu’s rising star, comes from a village in the state of Mon, Myanmar. She is an MSc student in Health Economics  and Health Care Mangement at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.

Mi Win Thida aspires to create an affordable health care for all in Myanmar. When she was little, her mother and sister suffered from chronic health problems, with serious financial implications.

“[My] father had to save his earnings for my mum and sister’s medical fees instead of consumption and investment”. The experience made Thida realise the importance of what is often so taken for granted: affordable health care. “Just like my family, I am confident that there are millions of families facing similar problems in economic burden and catastrophic health care payment. I ponder that our family would not encounter such financial and health burden if there would be a robust and smart health program in my country.”

She is determined to complete her education and change her community through her knowledge, passion, dedication, and experience. “[If] I want to help my people, I have to be educated and have to upgrade myself first. Without starting to change myself, I can’t change the behaviours, concepts and lifestyles of other people.”

Over time, her mother and sister have had to spend an ever increasing amount of money on medical care. Thus, the expenses incurred from their illnesses continue to loom. Supporting a family of nine on a farmer’s income is not easy in the first place. What is more, her father was arrested and put into the prison for three years for political reason. So the responsibility for their family income fell on the shoulders of her two elder brothers, one of them staying behind to farm, the other moving to Malaysia as a migrant worker. Thida’s ambitions of pursuing a Masters and reforming Myanmar’s health care system was put on hold despite wishes her family.

Now she is an MSc student in Health Economics and Health Care Management at the Chulalongkorn University in Thailand. Thida benefits from financial support from Wedu and mentorship by an experienced health expert. Her mentor has instilled in her a sense of purpose and direction in her quest to establish an affordable health care system for Myanmar.

It is her success that Wedu exists to support. We offer high potential young females an opportunity to solidify their vision of positive change by providing financing for university, and offering mentorship for personal and professional development. We do this because we believe that where you are born or where you come from should not hamper your potential to change your world.