“We believe that each child is of infinite value regardless of race, religion, gender or financial background.”

One of our ministries here in Ranong is our involvement in the field of Education. We assist in teaching English in different Learning Centres for the children of the Burmese migrant laborers and also in one of the Thai schools for the Thai kids.

According to the statistics, there are about 2,000 migrant children enrolled in the small 12 Learning Centres around Ranong, from kindergarten up to Grade 10. Unfortunately, some of these children esp. the older ones are not able to continue because they’re gone for work in the market places and in the factories.

As our response to this situation, we, the MMR team, designeda special program for the older kids aged 12-17 years old in the hope that a few may be able to continue tohigher education instead of following the usual track of factory/fishing boat work..  We provide them with subjects like English, Science, Mathematics, History and Geography which are all in English, except their Thai and Burmese classes.

This special program started last July 2007 with 22 competent students, but now, some of them have gone for work already.  At the moment, I am concentrating on the remaining 10 through the assistance of our volunteers like Sr. Yupa (Thai) and Ms. Alice (Malaysian).

In my own little way, I believe that education is one of the most powerful tools that thesechildren can use for their future and, likewise, these children are the most valuable resource and best hope for the country of Myanmar.

I hope that all of us will be challenged to take part for the better future of these children.

Bro. Joey SM