Yadanar has always loved reading so the
first thing she noticed at her new school was the library. There were so many
books, each of them neatly placed, side by side.
“We didn’t have a library in my old
school,” 11-year-old Yadanar (pictured above) says. “Being able to access a
library was a new experience for me.”
When Yadanar moved to the east of Yangon
city, Myanmar, earlier this year she was afraid of having to attend a new
school. Her parents had started new jobs – her father in construction and her
mother as a kitchenhand – to earn a higher income to support her and her older
sisters, but the thought of being the “new girl” at school was daunting.
Yadanar, however, had nothing to worry about.
Her peers were friendly and she made friends quickly. Plus, there was the
library.
Yadanar spent her early childhood in a poor
town west of Yangon city, where most of the residents were squatters. The
schools she attended were basic. There were no libraries, few resources and the
quality of teaching was poor.
Her new school, which ChildFund Myanmar supports through the Monastic Education Development Group in Myanmar, is free and for children from disadvantaged families. Yadanar was surprised by how different it was to her previous schools; not only were there books to read but her teacher was engaging and the lessons were active and interesting.
“I feel happy at my new school because
there are group activities,” Yadanar, who is in Grade 4, says. “For example, when
we learn science we share our knowledge with each other. That’s so exciting.
“There were no group activities in my old school.”
Ko Ko’s education seemed destined to end before he even
had the chance to finish primary school.
During his third year at school, he was forced to drop out and work on the streets scavenging plastic bottles to support his family.
“I lost hope when I was scavenging,” he says. “I was
alone. I searched for used plastic bottles, holding back the feeling that I
would never be able to do what I wanted.”
Ko Ko is now back in school, advocating for children’s rights in Myanmar and trying to ensure more children do not have to suffer the same challenges he faced.
The challenges of education in Myanmar
Despite the political and economic changes that have swept through Myanmar in recent years, poverty continues to be a defining factor in children’s access to basic education.
Many children work to help their families earn a living, particularly older siblings who sacrifice their education for the younger children.
Sadly as a result, one in four children do not complete primary school. It seemed Ko Ko was destined to become one of those children.
Before starting school, Ko Ko spent the first eight
years of his childhood moving from one place to another, as his parents moved
from one unstable job to the next.
Ko Ko was eight when he started kindergarten. Three
years older than most of his classmates.
“I started school late because of our financial problems,”
he says. “We didn’t have enough money to eat regular meals each day. How could
my parents afford to send me to school?”
Almost half of all children working in Myanmar are engaged in hazardous child labour which puts a child’s physical and emotional wellbeing at risk.
Those in formal employment work mainly in
agriculture, forestry, fishing, manufacturing trades, mining and brick making.
Children like Ko Ko can be found plucking their way
through rubbish looking for plastic and other materials they can exchange for
cash.
Ko Ko was 11 when he stopped attending school and began
walking through the streets scavenging plastic bottles to sell.
“I was very young at that time. I walked with a big
bag on my shoulder although I couldn’t even fend for myself,” Ko Ko says. “I
got caught a couple of times by the police because they thought I stole things.
But, in fact, I didn’t steal.”
Returning to school
A year after Ko Ko left school, opportunity knocked.
His family situation improved.
He was able to go back to school thanks to a neighbour, San, who became a member of a child protection groupformed by ChildFund Myanmar in 2015.
San, who is part of a child protection group established by ChildFund, helped Ko Ko get back to school.
“I spoke to Ko Ko’s mother, who was eager to send her children back to school,” San says. “I encouraged her and helped her get the documents needed for enrolment. So, we enrolled Ko Ko together with his three siblings.”
Returning to school was not easy for Ko Ko, who was
still scavenging to help his family.
“At school, some people didn’t want to be friends
with me because they said I smelt,” he says. “When I grew older, I didn’t want
to do that job in front of my friends anymore because I was embarrassed. So, I
told my mother and I quit.”
“I was disheartened when I was bullied. I couldn’t
keep my head up and I burst into tears. But I reminded myself that one day I
must be able to lead these people who looked down on me.”
Back in school and more confident about the future
Ko Ko’s life has changed significantly since he joined the child group formed by ChildFund Myanmar in partnership with Precious Stones in 2015.
The project, which is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP), empowers children by teaching them about child rights, child protection, good citizenship and helps them to gain valuable life skills.
This training has transformed him into an active and confident person.
Ko Ko and his mother are optimistic about the future now he is back in school.
“Before I joined the Child Group, I was lonely,” he
says. “I was depressed. Now I have friends and mentors.”
Ko Ko is now a child ambassador in the child protection
group. He helps children to be heard by conveying the messages and the
information between child group members and child protection group members.
He enjoys working with children and helping them
avoid his fate as a child labourer.
Win, Ko Ko’s mother, says the new role has helped
her son develop.
“He has changed very much,” she says. “He is more polite
and he treats his family members with respect.”
Ko Ko doesn’t give up. To supplement the family
income, Ko Ko is now doing two part-time jobs after school hours.
“I work as a trishaw (a bicycle that carries
passengers) driver as well as a sand truck loader,” he says.
“I see it as a life training to go to school and
work at the same time.
“I feel that it’s giving me strength. I think I have
become stronger.”
Ko Ko is back in school since enrolling in Grade 3 and is determined that he will not have to withdraw again. He believes in the importance education and looks forward to school.
“I am very thankful to my mother and San for sending
me back to school,” he says.
“I am delighted to wear the school uniform.
“I want to be a doctor – but first I need to pass school with high marks.”
How you can help reduce poverty
ChildFund’s work in Myanmar helps children like Ko Ko access quality education. To make a difference in our work to reduce poverty, all we’re asking you to do, is to help one community.
Community sponsorship is a meaningful journey, where you’ll make a huge impact on an entire society. Your sponsorship will be used to deliver high-impact projects that benefit the most vulnerable children and their families.
Help us tackle the root causes of child poverty and empower communities to become self-sufficient.
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