If you don't know part of my early history, I emigrated from Burma with my family when I was 5. I can only imagine it was a tough decision as we left almost all of our family behind, the many aunts, cousins and both sets of grandparents. But we also left behind a ruling dictatorship which couldn't understand the harsh economic realities for normal people, with little investment in healthcare or education (instead spending most of their revenue on arming the military) If my father hadn’t made that decision all those years ago my life would be very different.
I’m on the far left with my Dad
One of my first Skillshare classes I created was around creative goals and if you have watched my recent Skillshare class, Transition Into Illustration: Breaking into the Industry, you will know that I am a firm believer in having a vision of how I wanted my illustration career to look like in order to shape it. Way back in 2012 even before I picked up a brush or pen, I created a goals book of how I wanted my ideal life, with a thriving illustration business, including the types of clients I’d attract.
Coming from a disadvantaged background, I knew I wanted to work with charities in order to help others less fortunate than myself. I’m incredibly lucky and privileged to have had access to good health care and education as an immigrant to the UK. If I had stayed in Burma I would not have had such opportunities or security. Over the years I have supported many charities to help with sanitation, the fight against malaria, and bringing clean water to remote communities. From my position today I wish for all children to have enough to eat, an education and their own hopes and goals for the future which is not blighted by poverty.
This month I am delighted to be teaming up with United World Schools (UWS) to help the world's most remote and marginalised regions to give every child access to free education. They partner with local communities in Burma, Nepal and Cambodia, to equip and resource primary schools. United World Schools aims to break the cycle of illiteracy in one generation across Asia, empowering children to realise their full potential and build a better future - for them and their families.
I first met a team from UWS at a charity fundraising event for Burma and I was immediately taken by their commitment to bring education to remote communities including those in Burma. I talked to them about a slip of paper I’d placed in my ‘magic jam jar’ early this year, with my wish to work with children's charities (I will talk about this ‘magic jam jar’ in another blog post).
I’m honoured to join other amazing illustrators such as Axel Scheffler, Jackie Morris, Emily Gravett, Debi Gliori and more to take part in UWS Happily Ever Smarter Secret Sale, by sharing an illustration based on a real life story of one of the incredible children they are working to support, high in the Himalayas in Nepal.
This is the piece I created based on a 11 year old girl called Soneeya who wishes she didn't have to carry heavy loads of grass every morning and would love to be at school instead of looking after the cattle all day in the forest. She deserves a chance to become a teacher and help her village when she’s older.
The auction is running until 29th July, and tickets cost £250. Each ticket holder will be in with the chance of winning an original artwork by one of eight treasured illustrators, including the work that I have made. Runners-up will also be in with the chance of winning an original drawing from a UWS school student in Nepal, illustrating their ‘dreams for the future’. Each £250 ticket is a donation to UWS, and will be doubled by the UK Government as part of the Happily Ever Smarter UK Aid Match appeal that UWS are running until 29th July.
The price of each ticket can fund the training of one community teacher, who could go on to transform children’s lives and give them the chance to achieve their dreams.
Visit the UWS website to buy your ticket and see the artworks
For me, or my children or Soneeya, goals even in their simplest form can provide us with a strong motivation that can keep you going for months and years, and can be transformative.