The Wisdom of One Day at a Time

Paw K’mwee is taking things day by day: life, she knows, is unpredictable.

Paw saw this as a child, when she was uprooted with her family from Burma by sectarian violence and escaped across the mountains to Thailand. For years, the family lived in a refugee camp. And then one day, when Paw was eleven, she and her family left the camp and came to the U.S. Everything in this country—the environment, the language, the culture—was foreign to them. In every direction lay obstacles to surmount. Paw knew it would take relentless hard work to learn to navigate this new reality.

Today, Paw could not have clearer proof that her hard work has paid off: she’s earned a college diploma. “Words cannot fully capture my appreciation for everything the PowHERful Foundation has done for me throughout my college journey,” Paw says. Here, she shares with us the story of how she adjusted to life in the U.S., and the goals she quietly holds for the future.

“I started sixth grade without knowing a word of English. I felt like an outcast. Kids would laugh and point at me as I walked through the hallways. I was often overwhelmed with emotion and couldn't express myself to my teachers, even when they asked why I had tears in my eyes.” The radical change in environment, language, and culture was a huge strain on Paw and every individual of her family.

“In school, I had to work twice as hard as my classmates. In summer, while the other kids were enjoying their vacation, I was taking classes. I didn’t want to just pass, I wanted good grades. My sisters were the same. We kept at our studies—and without the help of our parents, as they had no formal education. Instead, they worked long hours to support us and to keep us together as a family.

“Wanting the best for me, my parents changed my school in eighth grade to one that had a smaller class size. I felt more accepted there, and had more attention from my teacher. In 2016, I started going to University High School of Science and Engineering, and in my senior year I took some college courses at the University of Hartford. That’s when my two older sisters introduced me to PowHERful.” Paw’s sisters, Win Win Paw and Paw Paw Shee were graduates of the PowHERful Foundation, and they were eager to have their younger sister benefit from the program as well. “They attended the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, CT, not far from our family home. And that’s where I enrolled.”

Based on her sisters’ experience, Paw had a sense of what college would be like. But during her freshman year, the pandemic arrived and all bets were off. Between lockdowns and restricted contact with professors and other students, Paw managed her courses as best she could. She knew from long experience how important it was to take things day by day: that’s how you make it through.

Looking ahead, Paw chose an education and career path that suited her compassionate nature. “Growing up, I saw my mother dealing with health issues that I didn’t fully understand. It was heartbreaking to see her in pain, knowing how strong she is. And I saw that others, too, close to me, struggled with difficult health problems. I wanted so much to help, but felt powerless not knowing how….” Paw knew she wanted to be there for those who needed care, starting with her mother. “Since high school, I’ve accompanied my parents to their doctor’s appointments. This exposure only reinforced my desire to pursue a degree in the field of healthcare.”

So Paw majored in Biology, with a minor in Chemistry. Now, with her bachelor’s degree under her belt, Paw says, “I’m working to gain experience in a medical setting and collecting the patient care hours I need to apply to Physician Assistant (PA) school and pursue a graduate degree. I find it incredibly rewarding to take care of patients during their vulnerable moments, knowing they rely on me to address their symptoms and help them feel more comfortable.”

As most of us can attest, nothing is more important when we’re sick and defenseless than to be cared for by a knowledgeable and kind health professional. There’s no better career, no better outcome of an education—and Paw is most of the way there.