Freedom to Education for Young People in Myanmar

Project Report | Dec 13, 2024
Freedom to Education - Latest Update - December 20

By Freedom to Education | FEP Team Member

FEP Team and Students

Education remains one of the top challenges in Myanmar since the military coup. Health & Hope is currently supporting 75 young people to access higher secondary and university education. Out of the 75, 35 of them are enrolled in Class 11 and 40 are studying at university with a range of subjects from engineering to medicine to business.

Our holistic approach ensures that students not only receive educational resources, but are also supported through community engagement, healthcare, and extracurricular activities to foster their overall development.

Despite joining their academic sessions late due to their circumstances, our Class 11 students have displayed exceptional dedication and resilience. Among them are two students with disabilities for whom special measures have been implemented. These include daily transportation to and from school, ensuring they can attend classes without difficulty.

To further support these students, the project also has capacity-building initiatives. A basic English-speaking course has been launched to enhance their communication skills which is a critical component of their academic and professional development. Regular study guidance is provided to keep them on track with their educational goals, while routine healthcare services ensure their physical well-being. The inclusion of pastoral care offers emotional and moral support, helping students navigate the stress and uncertainties of their environment.

Academic Update

Our students completed their second term examinations in November. The 2nd term examination result for Class 11 students was declared recently. The overall pass percentage is 43%. Six of our students secured top 1-3 positions in their respective classes.

Despite these challenges, the education team is actively working to provide academic support and strengthen these students' performance. Specific measures include addressing their weak subjects and allocating additional time to help them improve. We remain committed to their academic success and holistic development.

University students are writing their year-end semester examinations and are doing well with their academic performance. Three students are graduating in 2025.

Community Activity Service

We also emphasise the importance of holistic development through community engagement and extracurricular activities. The students recently participated in street cleaning in their area and compound. This activity not only promoted environmental responsibility but also provided a sense of unity, accomplishment and stress relief for the students.

Community Leader Talk

Pastor Michael was invited to deliver a community leader talk. He was a lecturer in one of the Theological Colleges and is currently serving as a pastor in the community. All 35 students were present in the session.

Pastor Michael shared his experiences and insights to inspire the students. These talks focused on enhancing spiritual, academic, and personal growth while motivating the students to adopt positive daily habits. It was observed and seen that the students were highly encouraged and motivated after the session.

Sports Event

After the completion of their second-term examinations, the team conducted two-day sports event for 35 students. Other refugee students were also invited to participate in sport activities. The overall number of participants was about 80.

This event include racing, tug of war, football, volleyball, badminton and futsal. The purpose of organising the event is to foster unity among the students, provide an outlet for stress relief, and develop teamwork and collaborative skills.

The event was met with enthusiasm and served as a much-needed break from academic routines. The students were very happy and satisfied with the event.

Students taking part in cleaning programme

Students listening to a Community Leader Talk

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Aug 23, 2024
Freedom to Education

By Health & Hope Myanmar | FEP Project Team

FEP Team and Students at Farewell Event

Thanks to generous support from our generous supporters and two Trusts, our students who have recently graduated from Year 12 are now currently applying for a range of degree subjects. These range from Nursing to Computer Science, Environmental Science and Midwifery, amongst other courses. Six places have also been awarded at a highly reputable Christian Institute for health training.

Following on from our previous report in May, the range of photos show our FEP team and the students at a special farewell event which involved a time of prayer, and also enjoying some much-needed downtime over a game of football.

The opportunity for these young people to continue their studies is truly a tremendous blessing. Their long-term hope is that they will be able to return to serve their country as it rebuilds in the future. In the testimonial below, Htet shares how much FEP means to her.

“I am Htet (name changed). I am the eldest daughter and I have 2 younger brothers and 3 sisters. My parents are both farmers from Chin State. Sometimes, my father works on construction sites to earn money to buy essential commodities for the family and his children's education. Since the military coup, we have been living at a refugee camp. Life in refugee camps is challenging and tough, and it is a struggle even for daily meals which makes it impossible to study. By God’s grace, I was given wonderful and life-saving opportunities by my beloved supporters and Health and Hope Myanmar (HHM) to pursue further studies.

Since joining the Freedom to Education Programme, I have improved a lot in every area of life. My biggest achievement is that I can understand English about 60% and I am confident in speaking it."

There remains a shortfall of $18,400 this year to enable all our students to go on to university. Ongoing funding for FEP remains critical to ensure that as many young people from Myanmar as possible have the opportunity to study.

Thank you for your interest and support of our education work.

FEP Students enjoying a game of football

Student in prayer at farewell event

Htet, FEP Student

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May 3, 2024
Freedom to Education Report - May 2024

By Health & Hope Myanmar Education Team | FEP Team

Written by the HHM Education team

Over the past three to four months, the Education Team has been deeply involved in various initiatives and efforts, all carefully planned to support the academic progress, personal growth, and prospects of the students we serve. Our dedication to their success has remained strong, leading us to take on various activities including monitoring and evaluation, proposal development, student support, curriculum implementation, university exploration, and guidance provision.

Individual student support has been a focal point of our activities, as we sought to address specific challenges and barriers to success. Instances of irregular attendance and academic underperformance prompted targeted interventions, including the signing of contracts delineating expectations and consequences.

Parallel to our individualised support initiatives, we embarked on broader curriculum development, endeavours aimed at enhancing student well-being and academic excellence. Our collaboration with HHUK resulted in the launch of a Pastoral Care Curriculum, tailored to meet the unique needs of our students and provide them with holistic support beyond the confines of the academic realm. This ongoing collaboration underscores our commitment to nurturing not just academic success but also personal growth and resilience.

The education team organised a farewell program for our students who have completed their Class 12 examinations. We invited our CEO, Dr. Sakie Zawtha, along with HHM staff, to join the programme.

During the programme, we took a moment to reflect on how important education and support from our community can be in helping young people transform their lives for the better. It was a meaningful reminder of the impact we can have when we come together to support one another.

The education team has also assisted students in applying for passports in Myanmar for further studies. Additionally, the team is actively searching for colleges and universities for Class 12 students. This involves identifying suitable institutions that align with the student's academic interests and future goals, as well as providing guidance throughout the application process.

Looking ahead, our commitment remains steadfast as we continue to support students in their academic endeavours, facilitate their transition to higher education institutions, and empower them to realise their full potential.

Thank you to all our supporters who continue to partner with us.

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