Devotion of a Daughter: Alyssa’s Medical Dream

Stories

Devotion of a Daughter: Alyssa’s Medical Dream

Fourteen-year-old Alyssa is more than just a student; she is the pillar of her family. After fleeing Myanmar for Malaysia in 2018, she now balances her studies at a community learning centre with the responsibilities of managing a household and caring for her mother, who suffers from a debilitating leg injury. Driven by a deep sense of filial piety, Alyssa is determined to become a doctor so she can provide free medical care to those, like her mother, who have been left behind by life’s hardships.

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By UNHCR Malaysia

13 March 2026

Alyssa in her school uniform, ready to leave her home.

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Finding Calm Before the Bell

Before the humid morning air of Klang settles over the streets, 14-year-old Alyssa is already prepared for the day. She likes being early, finding a sense of peace at her desk before her classmates arrive. Since fleeing Myanmar with her family in 2018, life in Malaysia has been a careful balance of navigating a new country while holding onto the dreams they carried across the border.

Strength Within a Shared Home

Home is a single room in a shared "shoplot" unit in Klang, a space Alyssa’s family shares with another family from Myanmar. It is here that Alyssa serves as the heart of the household. Years ago, a workplace accident left her mother, Zin Mar Aung, with a severe leg injury that makes daily tasks a struggle. Without hesitation, Alyssa manages the cooking, cleaning, and care for her nine-year-old brother, finding her own happiness in her mother’s smile.

Zin Mar Aung, Alyssa’s mother, braiding her hair.

Alyssa and her mother often pray together.

The Dream to Heal

Alyssa at her desk at the learning center.

The Dream to Heal

At the El Shaddai Learning Centre, Alyssa is a dedicated student who finds particular joy in history and mathematics. Because refugees in Malaysia lack access to formal public education, community-based centers like this are vital lifelines. Alyssa’s motivation is deeply personal: she is determined to become a doctor. She hopes to provide free medical care to those with disabilities and families who cannot afford treatment, inspired by her desire to help people like her mother.

Lessons in Gratitude

Alyssa and her mother together at the Tzu Chi Recycling Centre.

Lessons in Gratitude

Education is only one part of Alyssa’s growth. On weekends, she and her mother volunteer together at the Tzu Chi Recycling Centre in Taman Meru. For Alyssa, sorting recyclables is a way to protect the environment; for Zin Mar, it is a way to teach her daughter responsibility and gratitude. Between her volunteer work and her studies, Alyssa turns to her journal, documenting her life and the steady steps she is taking toward a brighter future.