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. Many live in fear and instability, as communities endure ongoing violence, natural disasters and economic hardship.
Amid these challenges, the Campion Institute in Yangon continues to accompany young people, offering them the tools to rebuild their lives through English education and skills training.
For 23-year-old Elisabeth, that opportunity has transformed everything. Growing up in a large family of nine, her days once revolved around working on the family farm.
“Education has changed my life. I want to inspire others to dream big.”
Elisabeth teaches English to children in her community
“Before joining Campion, my life was limited to staying at home and working all day,” she recalls. “I used to dream of going abroad just to earn money.”
Through the Campion Scholarship Program, supported by Jesuit Mission Australia, Elisabeth has studied English since primary school and is now at the Advanced Level, the highest offered at the institute. Her confidence has grown alongside her skills. Her mother’s pride is evident every time she hears her daughter speak English.
“Campion has given me a better life,” Elisabeth says. “I am happy and satisfied because I can now see my potential.”
Elisabeth dreams of becoming an English teacher to help others find their own voices.
“Education has changed my life,” she says. “I want to inspire others to dream big, uplift one another, and use education to build a better future.”
In times of fear and displacement, Elisabeth’s journey is a powerful reminder of the resilience of Myanmar’s youth and how education continues to light the path forward, one student at a time.
Find out more about this program.
This story comes from Reflections Summer 2026.
Contents include:
- A future takes flight in Thailand
- Honouring dignity in Cambodia
- Healing with heart in Timor-Leste
- Finding safety and hope in the midst of war, Ukraine
- Lighting the way through education in Myanmar
- Fr Bob’s Fifty Years in Hazaribag
