Michael’s story begins in the remote hills of Chin State, Myanmar, where life was shaped by farming, family, and uncertainty.

“I didn’t have many opportunities growing up,” he reflects.

When conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his education, Michael’s future seemed unclear. He returned home and worked as a teacher for a time, reflecting his early commitment to education, before later working as a woodcutter. “I felt stuck,” he admits. “I was working, but I knew I wanted something more.”

That turning point came during a village Jubilee celebration, when a local priest encouraged him to study English. “That moment changed my direction,” Michael says. “It made me believe I could start again.”

Education – a beacon of hope

In a nation scarred by conflict, education has become a quiet beacon of hope.

Since the military coup in 2021, more than 3.5 million people in Myanmar have been displaced. Amid this reality, Campion Institute in Yangon continues to accompany young people, offering them the tools to rebuild their lives through education and skills training.

Run by our Jesuit partners in Myanmar, the Campion Institute has been accompanying young people for over two decades, equipping them with English language skills, critical thinking, and a sense of purpose. Each year, around 300 students from diverse ethnic, religious, and economic backgrounds come together to learn, grow, and build a better future.

My motto is “Live with Purpose, Aim High.”

Michael

Through scholarships made possible by supporters like you, students like Michael are given access not only to education, but to opportunity, dignity, and hope.

Rapid progress

Thanks to your generosity, Michael is now able to focus fully on his studies as a scholarship recipient at Campion Institute. Since joining in early 2025, he has made rapid academic progress in a short time.

“Before, my English was very weak,” he says. “Now I can communicate confidently and express my ideas.”

He now lives in a hostel that, after initial challenges, has become a place of belonging. “It feels like a family,” he says. His life is now structured around study, community, and purpose, a stark contrast to the uncertainty he once faced.

His teacher, Terezar, affirms this transformation: “Michael is humble, hardworking, and deeply committed.”

Guided by his motto, “Live with Purpose, Aim High,” Michael hopes to study a master’s degree abroad and return to serve his community.

“This opportunity is not only for me,” he says. “It is for my family and my people.

Find out more about the Campion Institute