Mae's Story of Hope
"My dreams have come true. I am studying for the first time in my life."
I have never attended school in my life. When I was little, my parents forbade me from going to school because they thought it was a waste of time and money for girls to be educated. They only allowed my brothers to go to school. When every semester started, I remember clearly seeing the other kids go to school and that would always make me so sad; I could do nothing but hide myself and cry. When I had free time, I would stand at the gate of the school trying to listen to what the teacher was saying. I really admired those students. I hoped that I could learn things like them one day.
Now, my dreams have actually come true. I never thought I would have the chance to study, especially for a woman at my age. Since I joined Starfish Project, I have learned how to read and write in my own language through the classes they provide. I am even studying English and computers. I am so happy that I can finally be able to learn as a student from my amazing teachers at Starfish Project.