A Fresh Start 2010

January 13-15

Recently, we were asked if we would be interested in putting together a day of celebration for 650 migrant school teachers and headmasters.  We eagerly agreed and “A Fresh Start 2010″ was born.  Along with a number of other organizations, we planned a great day of encouragement for these dedicated mentors of children.  Specifically, we planned games, gave gifts, and made speeches.   We ran the event over three days, dividing the 650 teachers based on the areas of town in which they taught.

This event was quite significant.  All 61 migrant schools are under the direction of a Burmese school district office (BMWEC).  However, the BMWEC is accountable to the Thai Ministry of Education (MOE).  A Fresh Start was hosted by the MOE, planned by Imagine Thailand and other organizations for the benefit of the Burmese teachers and headmasters.  

At times, there has been tension between the two organizations.  The Thai Ministry of Education has graciously allowed Burmese people to set up schools in Mae Sot, but because the quality of education is lower than in the Thai school system, they have not granted equal graduation certificates to students who complete studies in the Migrant schools.  Furthermore, the BMWEC  has insufficient money to pour a lot of resources into the Migrant schools to make them stronger.   On the other side, the Burmese schools are begging for help and not receiving as much as they truly need.   They often lack teaching supplies, salaries for teachers, and food for the students.  In fact many who teach in Mae Sot were not even teachers in Burma.  (One man I spoke with was a taxi driver in Burma before fleeing to Thailand!).  There was simply a need to educate children and so people have stepped in where they can.  The situation is desperate for these schools.

A Fresh Start brought the two groups together.   We had the privilege of helping to build a bridge!  In many ways, I felt like we were planning a Deep End for adults (for those who are unfamiliar with Deep End, it was a high school outreach that our youth group led at our local high school – it consisted of games, food, dramas, and a message about Jesus).

We presented gifts to the Thai Ministry of Education, gave out coffee mugs and pens to all migrant teachers and headmasters, hired a magician and planned fun crowd-breaker type games that everyone loved. At the end of the gathering, we were able to pray a blessing over everyone.  It was really special.

This event has paved the way for us to get to know more of the migrant school leaders in the BMWEC, which in turn, paves the way for us to be of more assistance to them.  Additionally, it has deepened our relationship with the MOE.  Ultimately, we hope that “A Fresh Start 2010″ gave the migrant community an encouraging kick start for the new year! 

On the personal side, it was a good learning experience for us as we engaged two cultures (Thai and Burmese) in an official capacity.  Translating between three different languages and navigating amongst three different cultures made the planning a lot more work…enjoyable, but definitely a lot more work!

Thank-you for continually supporting us financially.  We were able buy mugs, gifts, prizes and pay for the magician because of your donations!