In the 2010 the Karen Education Department contacted Gyaw Gyaw to discuss replacing the old school building with a new one for local and migrant children. In 2012 Gyaw Gyaw finished construction of the school and dormitories were built by the villagers to host the students. Currently, there is no electricity and children have to live and study by candle light. In collaboration with The Branch Foundation and the school headmaster, we are raising funds to provide solar power for the dormitories.Problem Analysis
With lack of education access in rural Karen state Burma, children often have no opportunity to study or advance their education. Because of the Maw Kwee School’s proximity to Burma, children have the opportunity to study in Thailand but the conditions are not favorable. Without electricity the students have to study and live by candle light at night. Often there is not enough money to buy candles and because the dormitories are made of bamboo there is the serious concern of fires. Currently the children are in danger of fire and their education potential is impeded by lack of light to study by.
Target Group
Over 115 local and migrant children attend the Maw Kwee school. For the migrant children, it is one of their only options for schooling as there is extremely limited access to education in rural Karen State, Burma.
How
We will be providing power to the dormitories, kitchen, and teacher house by means of a solar system. Four 130 Watt solar panels will provide enough power for all the necessary areas.
Long term Impact
We believe that every child should have access to education and that education is the cornerstone of community development. The education received at the Maw Kwee School will not only empower the individual student but their local communities too. Some of the children are the first ones in their family to have the opportunity to attend school and in doing so are paving their way to advance their education in the future. This educational opportunity is the first step in empowering the next generation and creating a better livelihood for generations to come.
