Provide safe housing to students in Karen State, Myanmar
Sponsored children: 3 of 15
Karen State, a mountainous region neglected by the government
Karen State, also known as Kayin, is located in the south-east of Myanmar and partially borders Thailand. Today, the Karen people live on both sides of this border, suffering from the civil war in Myanmar and facing stigma in Thailand, where they are confined to refugee camps.
Since the coup in 2021, the ruling military junta has often bombed their villages, hoping to target the Karen militias and the People’s Defence Force (PDF) that oppose the current regime. For their safety, many families have fled their villages and sought refuge in the forest, where they endure a life without proper shelter, adequate food, or clothing. As a result, many schools have closed, and teachers have fled.
The Next Generation
Faced with limited opportunities to earn a decent living, many young people leave their villages and travel, often illegally, to the border regions of Thailand in search of better employment. However, their undocumented status makes their living conditions precarious. They are sometimes mistreated, forced to work in hazardous environments, and subjected to compulsory overtime.
Due to the neglect by the local authorities and a lack of trust in the government, many villages set up their own schools to ensure that children can receive an education. However, as these schools are not recognised by the government, the qualifications received by their students hold no official validation, providing limited prospects for future graduates. Furthermore, students from the most remote villages often struggle to access school, and few continue their studies beyond primary school.
The Dawplin boarding house, a peaceful place to study
Located in a peaceful area of Karen State, this modest boarding house provides shelter and education to around forty students from isolated Karen villages affected by the war. At Dawplin, students can focus on their studies without fear of bombings or worries about food, uniforms, or school supplies. The students attend the local public school, allowing them to obtain an officially recognised diploma in Myanmar.
Father Anselm serves as the director of the Education Commission for the diocese of Hpa-An. He has been a priest for over twenty years, and is deeply committed to the Karen people’s cause.
He hopes to nurture these young people into… “good citizens—kind, compassionate, and fully integrated individuals.”
How you can help
By donating to the project, you will be directly supporting the provision of boarding, school supplies and equipment, evening classes, and essential needs (including medical expenses) to the poorest youth living in the boarding houses. Your sponsorships can make a direct and profound impact on a child’s life, donate now through the link below: