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Summary
The Karenni SchoolPower initiative, a collaborative partnership between Friends Without Borders (FWB) and Philanthropy Connections Foundation (PCF), is dedicated to addressing the critical humanitarian and educational needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and schools in Karenni State, Myanmar. The region has been significantly affected by political instability and ongoing conflict, resulting in a severe lack of financial support for Karenni schools.
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Background
The project’s core objectives included promoting the well-being of teachers by ensuring they received the necessary care and encouragement and providing essential school materials for effective teaching. The initiative aimed to address the nutritional requirements of both students and teachers by helping provide food.
This comprehensive approach was aimed at creating the best learning environment possible in the extremely challenging conditions. As part of this ongoing commitment, support was extended to an additional two schools within Karenni State, where both educational and humanitarian assistance were consolidated over an 8-month period.
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Goals and Results
Despite the ongoing conflict, all Karenni IDP schools operated to the best of their ability. In Demoso Township, five schools with a total of 1.348 students briefly closed just a month after reopening due to mortar shell attacks from the Myanmar army. However, these schools quickly reopened, providing education for children until the end of the semester. When shelling occurred, teachers and children sought shelter in the forests, resuming classes when it was safe. In 2022, both Daw Ta Myay and Daw Nyay Khu schools managed to remain open for the entire 8-month period, with occasional interruptions due to security concerns.
Teaching took place in both shelters and forest settings. All teachers underwent internal training by STF, covering teaching methods, subject training, and specific skills required for emergency education, including evacuation and child protection. Many teachers were newly recruited during 2021-2022, as most former young male teachers were engaged in security training and acted as IDP community security guards.
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Sponsors
Chiang Mai International Rotary Club | 2022-23 | 15.000 THB
David Williams | 2022-23 | 850.000 THB
Goededoelen Markt | 2022-23 | 675 EUR
Gerard van Hal | 2022-23 | 100.000 THB
Rob Waardenburg | 2022-23 | 55.688 THB
Anonymous Donor | 2022-23 | 13.269 EUR
Willem Lamers and Erica Kroon | 2022-23 | 1.429,96 EUR
Howard Katz | 2022-23 | 142.50 USD
