#37: Empowering Change: Wint’s Journey from Crisis to Impact
How a Myanmar youth turned challenges into opportunities for education, mentorship, and sustainability
Welcome to SEAmplified’s newsletter where we amplify the voices of youths and unravel our shared culture and lived experiences in Southeast Asia.
In our third and last edition of the Reimagining ASEAN-China-India series, we follow the journey of Wint Nandar Aung, a Myanmar youth leader who participated in a regional Sustainability Summit in 2023.
Coming from a humble background, Wint’s growth mindset transformed her into a changemaker who empowers small and medium enterprises through her initiatives in education and sustainability amidst Myanmar’s ongoing crisis.
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After graduating, Wint Nandar Aung and her friends found themselves at a crossroad.
It was the height of COVID-19, and Myanmar was grappling with the aftermath of a military coup. Public universities were on pause, leaving many students in limbo, unsure if they’d ever graduate.
“I attended a private university, so I was okay. But my friends couldn’t submit their final theses because they opposed the military government,” Wint explained. “We were all just lost, sitting at home, unsure of what to do. Then we thought—why not start something?”
With no clear path forward, Wint and her friends reached out to experienced seniors for advice on navigating the job market. They realized they needed to take action—not just for themselves but for others in similar circumstances.
What began as small projects to help youths write resumes, prepare for job interviews, and discover their passions in life soon generated public attention.
That’s how Edvice Hub was born. For nearly two years, the youth-led non-profit provided informal education on sustainability, employment skills, mental health support, and diversity and inclusion.
“We didn’t know what we were doing,” Wint pointed out. “But we had seniors who graduated and had experience, so we asked for their help to share their knowledge with us. So it helps us and it also helps other people as well.”
Soon, Edvice Hub grew.
Public attention brought opportunities. Wint pitched the project to the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), an organization dedicated to building the leadership capabilities of youth across Southeast Asia and promoting cross-border cooperation.
Wint managed to secure funding to expand, while local NGOs and embassies lent their support.
“Funding was always unstable, and I had to spend my own money for some campaigns and travel,” Wint admitted.
Despite these challenges, Edvice Hub left a lasting impact. Wint proudly shared a success story of a student group she mentored, which launched a project to support single mothers in vulnerable communities. They secured a grant and began training the mothers to start small businesses.
However, over time, it became clear the model wasn’t sustainable. Team members moved on to pursue education and jobs elsewhere.
“It just felt like the right time to stop,” she reflected.
In February 2023, Wint decided to step back from Edvice Hub.
But Wint didn’t stop there. She engaged in freelance work focused on social and humanitarian efforts.
From Small Town Roots to Big City Ambitions
“That’s what it’s all about,” Wint said. “Empowering others to innovate and create opportunities, even in the middle of a crisis.”
Wint’s journey didn’t begin in Yangon, Myanmar’s bustling commercial hub. She grew up in Einme, a small town in the Ayeyarwady region.
“I’m from the countryside,” she said.
Opportunities were scarce, but Wint found inspiration in the biographies of business leaders like Steve Jobs.
“I told my parents I wasn’t interested in public university or memorizing things. I wanted to do business,” she recalled.
Moving to Yangon with her cousin, she threw herself into volunteering and English classes, eager to explore her potential and meet new people.
Years later, when the pandemic and the coup hit, that same drive pushed her forward. Wint’s story became one of resilience and resourcefulness, proving that even in the toughest times, young people can find ways to make a difference.
After Edvice Hub, Wint got engaged in freelance work.
Her projects ranged from providing mental health support to mentoring in refugee camps. She also developed and hosted leadership and social entrepreneurship training programs, primarily targeting Myanmar youths, while collaborating with advisory groups and participants from other regions to promote inclusivity.
“I can’t do it alone,” Wint said, describing the collaborative effort behind her initiatives.
She leaned on a network of seniors, advisory groups, and volunteers—people deeply committed to social entrepreneurship and community action.
While no one was paid for their contributions due to a lack of funding, the project gained traction quickly.
NGOs across Myanmar began reaching out, curious about her choice to tackle such work amidst the ongoing crisis. Her response was straightforward: “If we wait until after the conflict, we’ll have to start from scratch. But if we act now, we can build resilience and prepare young people to navigate these challenges through social entrepreneurship.”
As things began to fall into place, a series of events set the stage for Wint’s next breakthrough. Her efforts to create lasting change gained momentum, and her network of supporters grew stronger.
One of Wint’s mentees, who was inspired by her guidance, competed in the qualifying round for the ASEAN-China-India Youth Leadership Summit (ACIYLS) in 2023 and invited her to join their team.
This unexpected opportunity not only brought her to the grand finals in Singapore but also marked the beginning of her deeper involvement with OSG Youth Alliance, the organizing committee behind the summit.
Discovering Sustainability and Expanding Horizons
During the country round, Wint and her team pitched a card game designed to teach young children about recycling. At the grand finals, her newly formed multinational team pitched a wastewater management system targeting waste processes in the Philippines.
While the summit also included learning journeys and fireside chats, it wasn’t the only thing that benefitted Wint.
She also met professionals like Douglas Peris, Partner at Founders Bridge, and Droston Tang, Business Development Director at Xnode, who became mentors, helping her broaden her understanding and passion for sustainability.
“[My mentors] explained so much about sustainability and how this industry could grow in the future,” Wint shared.
“What I’m doing now—social entrepreneurship—is all about solving social, environmental, and economic problems. It aligns perfectly with sustainability. He encouraged me to focus more on this area, and that’s how I became deeply invested.”
And it wasn’t just figuring out where her passion lies.
Wint also connected with Dr. Tan Eng Han, founder of OSG Youth Alliance during his visit to Myanmar, and was inspired by his vision and passion for impact. She applied for OSG’s program executive role, after being encouraged by Dr Tan’s confidence in her abilities.
She was later appointed Myanmar’s Country Representative and eventually joined OSG as an employee, which marked a new chapter in her career. But what lay ahead was a steep learning curve.
Before joining OSG, Wint primarily worked with local organizations and individuals within Myanmar, focusing on community-based projects.
Transitioning from local initiatives to managing international operations required quick adaptation. Although much of her work involved administrative and operational tasks, the lessons in collaboration and proactivity were the most valuable takeaways.
Through her experience, Wint realized she thrives as an intrapreneur—someone who drives innovation within an organization—instead of being an entrepreneur.
It allowed her to contribute meaningfully without carrying the burden of managing everything independently.
Becoming Myanmar’s Country Representative in 2023 opened new doors for Wint, enabling her to collaborate with like-minded regional peers on cross-border initiatives.
For instance, Wint teamed up with Lylin, a 2023 Cambodian delegate, to co-host the OSG Curious Potato Talk Series #19. This panel discussion, featuring professionals from both Cambodia and Myanmar, highlighted the importance of green skills and how they are advancing environmental sustainability across industries.
Lessons in Leadership and the Power of Action
Wint’s journey shaped her core principles: openness, continuous learning, and taking action.
Reflecting on her journey, she admitted she once resisted feedback, sticking to her ideas even when seeking others’ opinions. Over time, she grew to value collaboration and the fresh perspectives it brings.
“Some young people face this too,” she said, recalling how some delegates from the summit hesitated to engage with peers from different teams or countries.
“Step out of your comfort zone, connect with new people, and embrace different experiences,” Wint advised.
Wint also highlighted the importance of adaptability, advocating for a mindset of “learn, unlearn, and relearn.”
Staying updated on new developments and applying them creatively, she explained, is key to staying relevant and impactful.
But action, she stressed, is where real change begins. Quoting one of her mentors, she shared: “Anyone can be a changemaker if they are passionate enough to start doing things.”
“If you don’t start doing anything, that means you’re just imagining,” Wint explained. Ideas alone aren’t enough; they need to be translated into tangible steps.
From her roots in a small town to becoming a leader who empowers others through education and mentorship, Wint’s story embodies resilience and action. She proves that even in challenging times, young people can create meaningful change and inspire others to do the same.
This edition was written in partnership with the 2024 ASEAN-China-India Youth Leadership Summit, co-organized by OSG Youth Alliance and Resolute Communications.
Find out more about the summit here.
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