In May 2023 Marist Asia Foundation welcomed 280 Myanmar migrant students back to school in the Primary and Secondary Programme at the Marist Centre.

Following Covid 19 (2020) and the Myanmar military coup (2021) there are increased numbers of migrant families seeking education for their children. In 2023 there were over 170 families seeking to gain entry into the 30 new places in the Marist Primary education programme.

Over the past 3 years Marist Asia Foundation has built 5 new classrooms and a large shaded area to support more Myanmar migrant children to get an education. Long term support for Myanmar’s development requires quality education for the next generation.

Marist Asia Foundation seeks to provide a Primary and Secondary education in partnership with Ministry of Thailand Non Formal Education Programme.

This accredited education pathway allows Myanmar migrant youth to learn their own language and culture, and grow in Thai language learning and understanding of their host country. They will also have the necessary skills to begin work or continue toward a higher education pathway in English and online learning.

Marist Asia Foundation supports training pathways for Myanmar youth leading to jobs in education, health work, translation, and migrant support organisations in Ranong and back inside Myanmar.

Approximately 10% of our Myanmar migrant families struggle to provide the monthly $10 Transport and $10 Tuition fee. While this may be small change for some, for some children it makes the difference between a life stuck in a fish factory or charcoal factory.

With the increase in students at the Marist Centre in 2023, we are now needing to support approximately 80 students and families to have a brighter future. Your donation and support is greatly accepted. $10 provides a month of transport to school. $10 provides a month of education.

To support click on our donation page and donate to a NZ Bank Account or make an Online Donation at our givealittle page

Marist Asia Foundation recognises the need to build harmony and understanding between peoples of different religions and cultures. The Inter-Religious and Inter-Cultural Dialogue Programme (IRICD) encourages reflection and activities together to sow the seeds of respect and harmony.

The celebration of the rich traditions of our cultural and religious heritage together can build understanding and peace.

The IRCID team provide reflection experiences, community workshops, and opportunities for dialogue and sharing with religious and cultural leaders. As a border crossing town between Myanmar and Thailand, Ranong has many ethnic groups from Myanmar mixing with Thai and International peoples.

We believe that together our Buddhist, Islam and Christian communities have an opportunity to work together to live our common calling to bring love and compassion to those most in need. This experience can sow seeds of understanding, trust, and harmony in the hearts and minds of the next generation.

Marist Asia Foundation is delighted to announce a Scholarship Partnership that will support 2 young Burmese Teachers from Ranong go to Asia Pacific International University, Bangkok, Thailand. Pictured are Yoon Thiri (left) and May Thazin Oo (right).

Both Yoon Thiri and May Thazin Oo are graduates of the Marist Burmese Migrant Secondary Programme (BMP), the Australian Catholic University (ACU) Online Diploma and the Certificate in Teaching and Learning Programmes provided by the Marist Asia Foundation.

Thanks to our Scholarship Partners Marist Mission Centre (Australia), Society of Mary (NZ), Society of Mary (USA) and Marist Asia Foundation. After 4 years of Bachelor of Education Training, both May Thazin Oo and Yoon Thiri will return to support the Marist Education Programmes in Ranong for Migrant students and families.

One of the particular challenges in the Migrant Community in Ranong is ensuring a sustainable quality education.  Education in ‘fragile learning contexts’ on the Thailand Myanmar border has multi lingual and multi cultural challenges, as well as accreditation and resourcing challenges. In the midst of these challenges is the lack of trained teachers.

Providing Trained Teachers for a migrant community, who can negotiate these challenges and in three languages, will make a tremendous positive impact in terms of leadership.

As Director of Marist Asia Foundation, Fr Frank shares “We can’t solve all the problems of the migrant community, but we can support education so they can solve their problems. Education is the best gift we can give to a migrant and refugee community. Trained teachers doubles that gift”.

Fr Frank Bird visiting May Thazin Oo and Yoon Thiri at their Asia Pacific International Campus.

Download Marist Asia Foundation 2020 Annual Report Here

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