13 Facts About Cynthia Maung

Cynthia Maung is a Karen medical doctor and founder of Mae Tao Clinic that has been providing free healthcare services for internally displaced persons and migrant workers on the Thai-Burmese border for three decades.

Cynthia Maung was born to ethnic Karen parents Mahn Nyein Maung and Hla Kyi in Rangoon, and grew up in Moulmein with her parents and six siblings.

Cynthia Maung attended State High School No 4 and it was during this period that political upheaval and the student movement began to cause disruptions to the education system in Burma.

Cynthia Maung found that many of her friends were dropping out of school, as they needed to work in order to make a little money to assist their family.

Cynthia Maung finished high school that year but had to wait for 10 months before being able to enter the Mawlamyine Regional College where she was required to spend two years before entering medical school.

Cynthia Maung's mother became at this time and so she moved back to Moulmein to help care for her and to be close to her family.

In 1987, Cynthia Maung started working in a clinic in Eindu Village in Karen State.

Cynthia Maung realised how poor the people were, how little they had and watched as they were forced into working for the military as soldiers and porters.

Cynthia Maung joined up with other villagers and high school and university students who had returned to the village.

Later, Cynthia Maung moved to Hway Ka Loke refugee camp and it was while she was here that she made contact with Karen leaders responsible for student affairs and with local Thai authorities and church groups who were sympathetic to the plight of these people.

Cynthia Maung wanted to set up a centre for students needing somewhere to stay or requiring referral for further medical care.

Cynthia Maung improvised by sterilizing her few instruments in a rice cooker and solicited medicine and food from Catholic relief workers working in the area.

Cynthia Maung has been married to Kyaw Hein since 1992.