Mission
We work hard to help both male and female Burmese adults and children integrate smoothly into their communities and jobs. Together, with our volunteer teachers, we operate the school to improve the lives of over 1.000 (and growing) students each semester, giving them the strength, confidence, and educational skills to have the same chances that their Thai counterparts have.
Coming from insurmountable odds in their own country, often escaping to start a better life in Thailand and supporting their remaining family in Burma, they attend the school on their own will.
Due to Burma’s conflict, many of the students come from different ethnic groups such as Shan, Karen, Rakhine, Kayah, Mon, Kachin, Nepali, Padung and Indian and face the task of starting from nothing.
No matter the background, all students wear a uniform of a white shirt and dark pants/shorts or skirt, bringing them all to an equal playing field and creating a sense of equality and mutual respect.
The simple-but-progressive skills given to the thousands of students over the course of the 10 years Dear Burma has been in operation have changed the everyday lives of every one of them. One by one, student by student, Dear Burma is here to teach.
History
When the school first began operations in Sept 2002, classes were conducted in front of Ramkamhaeng University’s student club building, where they stayed for several months. The workers organized the classes themselves, although it proved quite a hurdle to draw people at first. Refugees and activists also joined the classes eventually.
In February of 2003, the Thai-Burma Coordinating Committee later decided the school should move to the Christian Students Centre in Bangkok and Myint Wai took the helm of the school. In May of 2005, they moved to the current location where they have remained up until now.
About the Deputy director Myint Wai
Headmaster Myint Wai, 55, a former student who fled the military crackdown in 1988, has been a source of hope and offers help to fellow Myanmar citizens in need, including migrant workers. He graduated with a B.A. degree in economics from Yangon University and currently resides in Bangkok.
He attributes the school’s success to the wide range of assistance it gets, including help from organizations and political groups inside Myanmar, which have supported and monitored the school’s work. In reference to the school, he has said that it is negotiating with both ministries to be recognized as a vocational training institute in Thailand.
Facts
- Founded in Bangkok, Thailand
- Founded by Thai-Burma Coordinating Committee
- Headmaster Myint Wai
- President of TACDB Foundation Dr Laddawan Tantivitayapitak
- Staff 45 including 32 teachers
- The school also provides legal aid, emergency aid, and supports another community learning center in Bangkok for Burmese
Providing free legal aid
Burmese migrant workers who have encountered a legal problem can contact the TACDB (Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma). The official foundation located centrally in Bangkok can help with your troubles.
Tel. 02-6566541 / 02-2164463.
Our thanks to our supporters
Brackett Refugee Education Fund
Public Delivery
Staatenlos
The John P. Hussman Foundation