28/04/2025
My name is Shomshud Doha, a 22-year-old Rohingya youth born in Nah Yan Chaung village, Buthidaung Township, Rakhine State, Myanmar. Growing up as part of the marginalized Rohingya community, I faced numerous barriers to accessing education, including systemic discrimination, movement restrictions, and the severe lack of educational infrastructure.
During my early years, I studied in under-resourced schools with outdated textbooks, often relying on candlelight due to frequent power outages. Despite these challenges, I remained determined to pursue my education, strengthening my knowledge in subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, and Burmese. Although my circumstances made it difficult to dream freely, I aspired to become an education advocate, a Rohingya youth human rights activist, a youth advocate, and a volunteer teacher.
As violence intensified in Myanmar in 2017, I was forced to flee my homeland and seek refuge in Bangladesh. Living within the refugee camps, I refused to let adversity define my future. Instead, I channeled my experiences into advocacy and service, supporting the education and empowerment of Rohingya children and youth. Through informal learning and community initiatives, I worked tirelessly to uplift my community, advocating for human rights and access to education.
Despite the many financial, social, cultural, and political challenges I continue to face, my commitment to learning and community development remains steadfast. I hold a deep hope to one day return to Myanmar to a country where every individual, regardless of ethnicity or background, is respected and valued equally. I aspire to contribute toward building a democratic society that upholds justice, human rights, and inclusive development.
Currently, I am furthering my education through online courses at the University of the People (UoPeople), expanding my knowledge and skills to better serve my community in the future. I am profoundly grateful to the Rohingya Youth Network (RYN) for their generous support with my admission fees and for providing the opportunities that have allowed me to continue my educational journey.
My story is one of resilience, hope, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of education. I remain committed to empowering the next generation of Rohingya youth, demonstrating that, even in the face of the greatest challenges, education can light the path to a better future.
