By Ro Maung Shwe
Personal Background
Mayyu Akhter Hussain, aged twenty four, is a Rohingya refugee youth living in the Cox’s Bazar refugee camps in Bangladesh. Born in Garatobil Village, also known as Hamlet Natchaung, in northern Maungdaw of Rakhine State, he has become known as a storyteller, content creator and humanitarian worker devoted to supporting and representing his community.
Family Background
Mayyu comes from a respected and once prosperous family with a long history of community leadership. His father, Nobi Hussain, served as chairman of their village for eighteen years and was widely admired for his fairness and integrity. Mayyu is one of nine siblings. The family tragedy of 2019 remains deeply painful. His second brother, Faruk Hossain, aged twenty two and living with a mental disability, went missing on nineteen April 2019 and was later found deceased in Palongkhali.
Years earlier, in 2014, the Myanmar military arrested Mayyu’s father and sentenced him to thirteen years in prison. He was released in 2019 with a partial pardon and eventually reunited with his family after prolonged separation caused by escalating violence in Maungdaw.
Education
At the time of the 2017 crackdown, Mayyu was preparing for his matriculation exams. After arriving in Bangladesh he continued his studies despite the emotional and material hardships of displacement. He is now a second year student pursuing an Associate Degree in Computer Science at the University of the People, an online institution based in the United States.
Humanitarian and Community Work
Since 2017, Mayyu has worked with several humanitarian organisations inside the camps. He began with BRAC and Bibliothèques Sans Frontières, later joined Première Urgence Internationale, and is currently working with the International Organization for Migration under the Site Management Unit. His duties include supporting community services and helping coordinate camp level activities.
Over the years, he has become a strong advocate for justice, education and human rights. He uses social media platforms to share information, highlight the struggles of the Rohingya people and offer encouragement to younger members of the community.
Journey of Displacement
Mayyu’s family fled Myanmar in 2017 during military operations that included widespread attacks on Rohingya civilians and the destruction of villages. The family walked for seven days through forests and difficult terrain. They witnessed death, survived hunger and illness, and reached Bangladesh carrying deep psychological wounds.
Life in the refugee camp brought its own set of challenges, including overcrowding, limited water and sanitation, and the daily strain of living in a confined and uncertain environment. Despite this, Mayyu remained focused on education and humanitarian service, becoming a source of strength for those around him.
Vision and Goals
Mayyu hopes to serve as a voice for Rohingya youth and is committed to advocating for dignity, equality and human rights. He aims to use his education and field experience to build a future in which the Rohingya community can find hope and sustainable progress.
Reflection
The life of Mayyu Akhter Hussain is a story of resilience and determination. His experiences of violence, loss and displacement have shaped his commitment to education and community service. He stands as an example of the courage found among Rohingya youth and a reminder of the potential they hold to inspire positive change even under the most difficult conditions.
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