Sadly, only 13 Burmese Migrants are in Thai Secondary Schools in Ranong. Without education of Migrant Children the poverty cycle continues.
Below is a glimpse of the lives of our Burmese teenagers overcoming extreme obstacles to get an education. Knowing our students stories inspires us to be better teachers for them.
I am Chit Wai Aung. I come from Myanmar but I live in Ranong for six years already.
I want to be educated and be a good teacher. I believe that if I have better education I can improve my life with my family from poverty.
As a teacher, I want to help other children to have a good education. I don’t want other children to suffer as I suffer of poverty because of no education.
I am very happy to study with Marist Asia foundation. I hope to finish the 4 year secondary education programme despite my family and financial difficulties.
My family and I experience suffering because of poverty. I was separated with my parents as a child for seven years. I stayed with other children with my grandmother in Myeik, Myanmar.
In Myeik I walked for two hours everyday to go to school. Before and after the classes, I helped my grandma to sell flowers from our garden.
My mother and father arrived in Ranong, Thailand 25 years ago. My father died 10 years ago when I was 7 years old. He was killed with other 12 fishermen while doing fishing in Myanmar water. I arrived in Ranong, Thailand on 2009 to be with my family.
I need to work to help my family income. My mother and younger sister (14 years old) are working in octopus factory but the income is not yet enough to meet our basic needs.
I go to school during the day. But I work also in octopus factory in night time from 10:00 pm to 1:00 am during the weekdays and a whole day in the weekends for four years already.
I believe that the school of Marist Asia foundation can help to achieve my dreams in life. After finishing my education, I hope to go back to Bang Non Learning Centre to teach the small children there.
To read of more stories of our Burmese Migrants in Ranong click here