Urgent Needs, Lasting Impact

Following is the latest report from our team leader on the ground, who is continuing to explore how we can support monastic schools and their effort to provide education during these difficult times.

Life under the oppressive military regime in Myanmar has brought immense challenges and hardships for our people. Amidst these difficulties, we have continued the vital task of assessing the urgent needs of monastic schools. These schools play a crucial role in providing education to children of all backgrounds, filling the void left by state schools that can no longer support students. However, even the process of gathering information is risky, requiring utmost care to ensure the safety of those involved. We thank all donors who have believed in our mission and supported us through various means, and any contribution to help these education initiatives will be so appreciated at this time.

Let me introduce you to some of the monastic schools that are in dire need of our support during these trying times. Please note that for their protection, I have changed the names of these schools to give them a three letter acronym.

First, we have the ABC Monastic School situated in Mandalay. Since its establishment in 2019, this school has been providing free education to students. Initially, it had around 200 students, but due to the political situation, the number has soared to over 700. To facilitate effective learning, the school requires stationary supplies. With a team of 15 dedicated teachers, they continue to educate these young minds while facing numerous challenges. Moreover, as the school is caring for over 100 students, they are also in need of rice to sustain them.

Another school in need is the DEF Nunnery School located in Pyin Oo Lwin. Since 2010, this school has been a refuge for 281 students, primarily from ethnic backgrounds. The majority of these students hail from the northern Shan state, specifically Kutkai and nearby villages. The school provides free accommodation and meals for more than 100 students who reside on the campus. Just like the ABC Monastic School, DEF Nunnery School requires basic educational supplies and rice for their students.

Moving on, we have the GHI Monastic School situated in the Mandalay Region. This school, established in 2004, is home to 181 students, mostly from farming families. Many of these students have recently sought refuge in the school due to the civil war, facing numerous obstacles in their pursuit of education. To support their learning, the school urgently requires teaching materials mostly.

In the Mandalay Region, we find the JKL Monastic School, where around 200 students from conflict-affected regions like Shan, Sagaing, and Magway receive education. These areas have been caught up in intense fighting, adding to the challenges faced by the students. The school requires books, pens, papers, teaching materials, and even rice to sustain the approximately 200 novices living on the premises.

Let us not forget the MNO School, situated in a remote mountainous region outside Mandalay. This school, with 286 students and 14 teachers, struggles to meet their basic needs due to their isolated location. They require educational supplies and rice to support the 30 students residing at the school.

The PQR Monastic School, located in Mandalay City, plays a significant role in providing education to 472 students from low-income families. Despite the principal's personal contributions, they still lack essential stationary and educational materials for effective learning.

Further, we have the STU Monastic Charity School in Patheingyi. With a total of 250 students, including orphans and children from various regions such as Shan, Sagaing, and Bago, the school provides meals and accommodation for 173 students. The remaining students come from difficult backgrounds. In addition to educational supplies, the school requires rice, oil, onions, and other necessities to provide nourishing meals for the children.

The VWX Monastic School, located in Mandalay, welcomes over 300 students from surrounding villages every year. This school, which operates free of charge, has 10 dedicated teachers. They urgently need essential educational supplies to facilitate a conducive learning environment, including whiteboards, markers, A4 paper, books, pens, erasers, staplers, and paper clips.

Lastly, there is a remarkable monastic school that has been a sanctuary for thousands of underprivileged children from across the country. Many of these students, including novices and boarding students, come from war-torn areas and ethnic minority communities, heavily impacted by long-standing civil conflicts. Additionally, some students hail from the Ayeyarwady Region, which suffered greatly from the devastating Nargis Cyclone in 2008. Sadly, due to the political turmoil following the coup, the number of boarding students has significantly increased this year. To sustain this massive endeavor, the school requires a substantial amount of rice, onions, potatoes, vegetables, and meat to provide daily meals for these children.

These are just a few examples of the monastic schools grappling with the consequences of the oppressive military regime. The loss of educational opportunities for children due to the coup is deeply distressing, and it is our heartfelt hope that we can support these noble efforts. We appeal to our generous donors to contribute whatever they can to assist these schools in providing a glimmer of hope and education to the young minds affected by these tumultuous times. Together, we can make a significant impact and empower the future generations of Myanmar.