Bringing Happiness to Joy House
In the makeshift classrooms of Lay Kay Kaw IDP camp, 26 teachers continue to educate displaced children—many of whom have lost their homes, their security, and their childhood. These teachers do not work for a salary. They work because they believe education is the only hope left for these children. They teach under broken roofs, on dirt floors, without proper books, without enough supplies—only with the sheer will to keep these young minds from being lost to war and suffering. But willpower alone cannot feed them.
Your donations are the only lifeline keeping education alive for the children of Lay Kay Kaw IDP camp. Through earmarked contributions from donors expressing a volition to support Burmese refugees who were struggling in Thailand, we were able to offer critical aid to this camp. These funds went first to provide a modest honorarium for 26 dedicated teachers who continue to educate despite having no stable income. Many of them have families of their own, struggling just as much as their students. To give these children a sense of normalcy beyond war and hardship, art materials were purchased, allowing them a rare chance to express themselves and heal. Even something as simple as clocks and batteries helps maintain structure in their fragile learning environment! Reaching the camp itself is an ongoing challenge, and so transportation was also covered in this donation amount.
These teachers could leave. They could walk away and try to survive on their own. But they don’t. They stay. They fight for these children. But they can’t do it alone. Your donation is not just money. It is the only thing keeping these classrooms open. It is the only thing making sure that, even in a war-torn world, these children still have teachers to guide them.
Words from a volunteer:
“Mingalabar, I am a volunteer teacher at Plaw Ta Poh IDP School. (Plaw Ta Poh is the Karen name, while Lay Kay Kaw is the Bamar name.)
On behalf of all the teachers at our school, I want to express my deepest gratitude to Joy House and all the generous donors who have supported us. Your gift is more than just financial support—it is a reminder that we are not alone in this struggle. Many of us teach despite facing hardship ourselves, and your kindness gives us the strength to continue educating these children, who have already lost so much.
We are also incredibly grateful for the art supplies and clocks you have provided. In a place where stability is rare, something as simple as keeping track of time helps bring structure to our classrooms. Your support may seem small to some, but to us, it is everything. Thank you for standing with us and for believing in the power of education.
Words from the Principal:
As the principal of Plaw Ta Poh IDP School, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Joy House team and every donor who has contributed to our teachers' honorarium and provided watches for our school.
These are difficult times—our teachers work tirelessly, often without proper resources, yet they refuse to give up. Your generosity is not just financial aid; it is a message of hope, telling them that their efforts matter and that they are not forgotten. The watches you donated may seem like a small gesture, but they bring much-needed organization to our lessons, helping us create a more stable learning environment for our students.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness, your generosity, and your unwavering support. You are making a real difference in the lives of our teachers and students, and we will never forget it.
