We just received a packet of letters from sponsored boarding school students and love reading about their experiences! All these children are financially supported by dedicated donors through a Shanta program offering a brighter future via education at a private boarding school in Yangon that is far away from our partner villages.
As it is very rare for there to be educational opportunities beyond middle school, this program opened doors to families that wanted more formal education for their youth. While it is difficult for these families to be separated, further studies offer opportunities to return to their villages and be leaders and educators or make going to universities a reality.
The COVID pandemic and the military coup forced the school to close for nearly two years. Numerous students were unable to return once the school reopened, but there are still 14 sponsored students committed to the program, with a few years left to complete. While we no longer seek donors for this program, we will see all the remaining children through to their graduation. The following is a letter from one of the students to their sponsor.
Mingalarpar! How are you doing? I hope you all are doing great. I’m great too. I passed the exam very well this year. As it is the summer holidays, I’m staying at home and spending time with my family members like my father, mother, and brothers.
I have a lot of spare time during this summer holidays, so I am studying English and moreover, I am also studying Paoh literature in my village. I am so happy to be able to spend time with my family. In Tagu (Thingyan Water Festival), my family and I will go to the monastery where we offer some donated things there and we will also donate and pay our respects to an elderly person who is our grandparent and other relatives.
Everything is fine at school. Teachers are good at teaching. Since I was able to answer the exam very well, I am sure that I will pass this year’s exam and I am also ready to attend the next grade in the upcoming year.
I would like to say thank you for always supporting and helping me in getting through school without any difficulties. I really appreciate it. Thank you very much.
Yours lovely,
Nang Cho Lay
