Aon (front row: 3rd from left) and Kimberly (front row: 3rd from right) pose with the participants of the conference.

Two MMR staff attended the five day Conference on HIV-AIDS organized by Catholic Asia-Pacific Coalition on HIV/AIDS (CAPCHA) last 10^th -14^th of September 2012 in Bangkok.

This Conference addressed the global issues and trends about HIV-AIDS with special emphasis on Asia-Pacific.

 Aon and Kimberly, both MMR health workers, were both appreciative of  the things that they learned from the conference ,and also, for the chance of  meeting other people who are journeying with individuals and families who are suffering from HIV-AIDS disease.

 The conference was attended by individuals and sectors who came from different countries of Asia and the Pacific, who are rendering services to HIV-AIDS victims and their families.

MMR has been assisting the Burmese migrants with HIV-AIDS in Ranong for the past four years.

from R-L: Aon and Kimberly: attentively listening to the speaker.

Another mile stone in the education program of the Marist Mission in Ranong has just kicked off.

The 2nd Batch of the Online Course together with Mr. Duncan McLaren, the Head Monk, the MMR Staffs and Teachers.This was attended by Mr. Duncan McLaren – Director of the Online Course, the MMR Team and a Buddhist Monk, who gave an inspiring thought to the students.

The Monk said that knowledge is a key to development, both personally and communally.  He emphasized that knowledge without wisdom is not helpful.  Holistic education enables the student to grow in both knowledge and wisdom.

The monk spoke to nine migrant and refugee students of the Marist Mission Ranong who are embarking on an 18 month on-line diploma course through the Australian Catholic University.

With the cooperation of professors abroad and local tutors, these students will grow in knowledge and wisdom enabling them to be leaders in the future of Myanmar.

Toby Saw, one of the online course students, received his I.D. from Mr. McLaren; at the background is Maurice, one of the MMR Volunteers.

After five years of working out of a three rented centres scattered around town, Marist Mission Ranong will move into their own purpose built “Marist Education and Community Centre”.  This Centre will serve as a school for over 150 poor Burmese migrant children and hundreds of adult migrant workers as well as a centre for HIV/AIDS outreach and Online University study.

The foundations have been completed and work has commenced on the concrete columns that will hold up the pre-cast slabs of the first floor. Construction began in July 2012 and the first phase is expected to be complete by January 2013. The project combines Thai and New Zealand engineering expertise.

As construction proceeds, fundraising continues as we work to raise the remainder  of  the total construction cost.

Many thanks for our generous donors and benefactors who make our dream a reality.

Students proudly show their certificates.

Ranong, Thailand. MMR students are proud and delighted to receive the computer certificates from Thai government’s Centre for Non-Formal and Informal Education (KoSoNo) Ranong province.

The Centre’s Assistant Director,Mr Chayanin, distributed the certificates to 33 students who finished and passed sixty hours of computer skills and training.

Last year January 2011, MMR signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Centre for Non-Formal and Informal Education (KoSoNo).  The MoU aims to provide educational opportunities for the less fortunate Burmese children and young people in Ranong.

The certificates were distributed during the MMR’s mother’s day celebration.

Mr. Chayanin reads the content of the certificates before distributing them to the students.

One of the students personally receives his certificate from Mr. Chayanin.