One student’s persistence leads to a scholarship at Mae Fah Luang University, Thailand.

By BEAM Staff

“You are too old now, to be studying!” This is what people used to say to Naw Moo.

Yet, she proved them all wrong. 

Moo applied to BEAM’s CYLD program for three consecutive years before finally being accepted. Today, at 23, she is studying Business Administration at Mae Fah Luang University with a UNHCR DAFI scholarship.

“When I heard the news, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief, gratitude, and joy,” she says. “Holding onto hope when things seemed impossible was hard, but receiving the scholarship proved to me that persistence really pays off.”

Originally from Malargoe village in Myanmar’s Bago Region, Naw Moo wanted to continue her education. Watching friends and older students go on to university inspired her, but she could not see how to follow them.

“I didn’t know how or where I could finish my GED without having to quit my job, and my options felt very limited,” she says.

Naw Moo heard about BEAM Education Foundation through friends and a teacher at her school. Getting into the CYLD took repeated attempts, but she still had faith in herself. When her opportunity finally came, the program helped her see possibilities beyond her working life.

“It didn’t just help me with my GED studies, but it also opened up a clear path toward higher education that I didn’t think was possible before,” she says.

BEAM’s support extended beyond academic preparation. Alongside her GED studies, Naw Moo developed leadership, problem-solving, and interview skills that would help her take the next step.

That step came when she saw a scholarship announcement on Facebook and later received a message from the UN team about the application process.

Applying required careful preparation. As this was the scholarship’s first round, Naw Moo had few examples to guide her essay writing. She sought advice from teachers and spent time refining her personal story until she felt confident sharing it.

Her preparation paid off. Naw Moo became part of the first group selected for the UNHCR DAFI scholarship, supporting her higher education studies.

Even after receiving the scholarship, there were challenges to overcome. Obtaining correct documentation took some time. Again, Naw Moo did not give up.

Now, Naw Moo has begun the university education she once thought was beyond her reach.

“Before, I only worked and didn’t think university was possible for me. Now I’m studying Business Administration at Mae Fah Luang University, and I have real plans for my future instead of just getting by day to day,” she says.

Those plans include further study, ideally in Australia, and opening a vocational center in her home community. She hopes to use her business knowledge to provide practical training in language, IT, and baking for the next generation.

For students wondering whether they should try, Naw Moo has a message drawn from her own experience.

“Don’t let age, background, or financial hardship define your boundaries,” she says. “If you want it, keep trying. I applied three years in a row before my door opened, so never give up on your dreams.”

BEAM Education Foundation celebrates Naw Moo’s persistence, hard work, and careful preparation. We are proud of how far she has come and look forward to seeing her turn her hopes for herself and her community into reality.