From My Small House to My Big Dream

By Htike Tan | Youth in TDC Yangon, Myanmar

Htike's House

I grew up in a small house with my family. Our house is simple and not modern, but it is the most important place in my life. When I think about my home, I do not think about walls or the roof. I think about the love inside it. I think about the sound of my family talking, laughing, and calling my name. I remember sitting together in the evening after a long day. Sometimes we did not have much, but we had each other. That was enough for me. My home is the place where I feel safe when I am tired, sad, or confused. It is the place where I can be myself without fear. Even if I travel far away, my heart always stays connected to my home. When I am away, I miss the small things: the simple meals, the quiet nights, and the warm smiles. My house may be small, but it holds big love.

That is why my home is very special and meaningful to me.

There are six people in my family: my grandmother, my uncle, my mother, my father, my older sister, and me. We are an ordinary family, but to me, we are strong and united. My parents are farmers. They work in the fields every day to earn money for our family. Their hands are rough because of hard work. They wake up very early in the morning and sometimes come home late in the evening. Even when they are tired, they still care about us and ask about our day. They always put our needs before their own comfort. From them, I learned the value of hard work and responsibility. They never complain about life. Instead, they try their best and move forward.

They never look down on me or tell me that I cannot do something. When I feel weak, they encourage me.

When I feel afraid, they support me. Because of their love and trust, I feel strong. I am very thankful to have such parents. My grandmother and my sister also give me love and support. Our family is not perfect, but we respect and help each other. Being part of this family makes me proud.

Now I am 21 years old. I passed my matriculation exam in 2020. At that time, I felt happy because I had finished an important step in my education. I wanted to continue at university and build a better future. However, for different reasons, I could not continue my studies. After that, my life felt uncertain. I did not know what to do next. I did not have work experience or special skills. I wanted to earn money and support myself, but I did not know where to begin. It was difficult to apply for jobs because companies wanted experience. At the same time, I did not feel interested in farming like my parents. I felt confused and lost. Some days, I felt worried about my future. I asked myself many questions. What kind of job can I do? How can I improve myself? How can I make my family proud? Even though I felt lost, I did not want to give up.

Deep inside my heart, I still had hope that I would find the right path one day.

At the end of 2025, something changed. I found LP4Y on an online platform. When I read about the program, I felt interested. I learned that LP4Y supports young people who feel lost and want to improve their lives. I felt like the program was speaking to me. I thought that maybe this was the opportunity I had been waiting for. After thinking carefully, I decided to join LP4Y. That decision became an important turning point in my life. Now, I have been part of LP4Y for almost three months. During this time, I have learned many new things. I practice communication skills and learn how to work in a team. I also learned about responsibility, time management, and professional behavior. At first, I was shy and unsure. But step by step, I became more confident. I started to believe in myself again. LP4Y helps me see a clearer future. It feels like I have found the first step toward my big dream.