Our partnership with Partners Relief & Development

Meet Shayhayna

Shayhayna, 15 years old, is originally from Rakhine State, Myanmar. Her family fled to Bangladesh in 2017 due to the genocide against the Rohingya. She was only eight at the time and studying in grade one: “I remember how our lives changed overnight. We had to leave behind our home, my school, and everything to escape the violence”.

Shayhayna now lives in a refugee camp in Bangladesh with her father, mother, older sister, and younger brother. She shares about her experience of displacement, and the hope she finds in her education:

“Life in the camp is challenging, especially for girls. It’s overcrowded, and I feel unsafe. Even though I’m grateful we escaped the violence, I still miss our home in Myanmar every day.

For years, I wanted to return to school but couldn’t find the opportunity. I missed learning and felt left behind. Then, in May 2024, I joined the women’s education center supported by Partners. It was like a dream come true. Now, I can study again, learning to read and write in Burmese, and I’m also practicing basic math skills. The center has been a place of hope for me, somewhere I can focus on my future and not just survival. Our teachers are wonderful; they don’t just follow the curriculum. They also share meaningful stories that teach us about the world and values beyond what’s in our books. I feel so inspired listening to them, and I look forward to every class. My favorite moments are when the teachers tell stories about kindness and the importance of helping others.

Attending this center has brought joy back into my life. I am determined to keep studying until I complete the final term. I dream of continuing my education and making a difference, both for myself and for those around me. Education is a precious gift, and I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to learn again.”