Vox Pop: 'All young people feel like they have no future'

By Admin 18 Oct 2024

DMG Newsroom

Local people in conflict-torn Arakan State are confronting challenges across various aspects of everyday life, including food security, healthcare and access to education as the conflict between Myanmar's military regime and the Arakkha Army (AA) continues.

Among them, young women in rural areas including university students are struggling to support their families, with many doing housework and odd jobs as they no longer have the opportunities that their post-secondary pursuits should have offered.

While each of the women interviewed below have their own goals and hopes for the future, they invariably told DMG that they face every tomorrow with uncertainty.

Ma Hla Htay Phyu || Tinma Village, Kyauktaw Township

When I returned to the village from the displacement camp, I had nothing to do. As before, I don't have money to learn any other technology, and I don't have anyone to teach me.

I currently make a living by collecting bamboo shoots and djenkol beans, and selling them. I earn about K5,000 per day and work odd jobs. I don't have anything to study anymore, and I have to do what I can.

Ma Myat Yamone || University Student || Pauktaw Township

I used to take a computer course while attending university in Sittwe. I came from Sittwe to escape the fighting, so I can't use my knowledge in the village where we are taking refuge; so I have no job and no income.

I have to cut down firewood in the forest as I have no money to buy firewood to be used in cooking. To be honest, I never thought I would have to do this, but now I have to. Now the young women in the village have to cook at home and climb mountains to cut firewood.

Ma Khaing Hnin Wai || Khwasone Village, Mrauk-U Township

Previously, I made a living as a farm worker and earned K10,000 per day. Now I have no job. Now that I don't have a job, I spend my time playing games and watching movies.

We, young people, do not have the opportunity to do what we want to do. We have no idea what to do in the future. I was planning to attend a designer course in Sittwe, but the political situation was bad and I couldn't do anything.

In the village, there are no civil society organisations or NGOs providing courses on agriculture and animal husbandry as before. If I were to go to Yangon, I would not be able to afford it due to travel restrictions. I don't know what will happen. During this time, all people are depressed.

Ma Swe Swe || Buthidaung Township

All young people feel like they have no future. Young people have nothing to do and no choice in the matter. Some young people have chosen the armed path. Now, young people like us are wasting our time helping our parents with their work. I don't know what to do.