I most admire and have been inspired throughout my adolescence by my “sister” Khaing Zar. She is the woman who organizes and runs our girls’ leadership programs in our region. You see, Khaing Zar is smart, active and caring. She is always going here-and-there to support teenage girls who need it. We have had a lot of setbacks in our area, especially as the armed conflict expands and many people have to run for safety.
Despite all of this, she doesn’t give up or forget about us. She helps me to see that my life has meaning and value and there is hope for a better future. She treats us like real people – not like small children. She doesn’t think that because we are girls, we can’t know the real truth, but rather, because we are girls we have potential and qualities to lead at home and in our communities. Khaing Zar too is like us – she is not from a rich or high-class family. She grew up in a simple way and has built her life with intention and thought. I really admire her and I believe I can be like her as I get older.
-Jue Jue