Lydia at HopeBy Suyron Min, 2013 ACM summer intern

Lydia is from Putao, Kachin State. She is the cutest tomboy I have ever seen. Actually, rather than acting like a tomboy, she is really interested in physical activities and sports. But that is strongly categorized as a tomboy in Myanmar. Lydia is really active and energetic. Even though she really likes sports, the boys do not usually include her in a soccer game. So, I think she mostly picks up balls when balls go into a neighbor’s house.

Lydia has parents in Putao but they are really poor to keep her with them and give education to her. For those reasons, before she came the Hope, she did not get a good education. Also, her school at Putao did not offer a transcript for her school transfer. So, when she first came, she knew Burmese but she could not read or write Burmese. After taking level tests, Lydia has to be in a class with younger children. I think Lydia actually is the age of 7 or 8 grade but she is currently grade 4.