Aungsing Marma’s journey is one of sheer perseverance. Born into extreme poverty in West Sonaichhari village of Betbunia, Rangamati, he came to Dhaka years ago as a desperate teenager, working in restaurants and brick kilns to survive. Today, he returns—not as a laborer, but as a student newly admitted to Dhaka University.
On June 14, Aungsing arrived in Dhaka. The next day, he took part in the oral examination of the ‘Ga’ Unit at DU. Now, he’s preparing to begin his studies in the Finance Department—a dream once unimaginable for him.
A Life Marked by Struggle
Aungsing lost his mother before SSC and grew up without steady parental care. With no land or financial stability, his childhood was spent under the care of his grandmother. At one point, both parents were detained while illegally attempting to migrate to Malaysia, forcing Aungsing and his younger sister to depend solely on their elderly grandmother’s minimal resources.
Unable to bear the hardship, he left home and worked in a brick kiln in Chattogram. Later, he joined a restaurant as a dishwasher. Despite poverty and instability, Aungsing remained determined to study. He returned to school and passed SSC with GPA-5.
Crushed by Illness, Lifted by Will
During college at Haji Muhammad Mohsin College, Chattogram, he fell severely ill—diagnosed with tuberculosis and pneumonia. For 13 months, he was bedridden, unable to study or work. With no money for treatment, he found hope in motivational books. A quote by Paulo Coelho—“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”—became his guiding light.
After receiving free treatment from BRAC, Aungsing prepared for HSC again in 2024. With only 800 BDT, he traveled to Chattogram and sat for the exams, struggling with basic transportation costs.
A Return to Dhaka — and a New Purpose
To apply for university, he once again returned to Dhaka. He found a dishwashing job at Broccoli restaurant in Uttara, earning 7,000 BDT per month. Juggling work from morning to midnight, he studied late into the night, often sitting on the restaurant stairs until 4–5 AM.
Despite the odds, Aungsing succeeded in both the Dhaka and Rajshahi University entrance exams. He ranked 253rd in DU’s ‘Ga’ Unit and 373rd in RU’s ‘B’ Unit. Support from well-wishers helped him gather the 20,000 BDT needed for admission.
Now, Aungsing is preparing to start classes in the Finance Department at Dhaka University. While the road ahead is still uncertain in terms of living and educational costs, his determination remains unshaken.
“One day, I want to stand beside students like me who are fighting poverty and dreaming big,” he said.
