Help me Be Who I Want: Education in Myanmar

Dear friend,

Every so often, we hear from one of the communities where a Tekkatho library was established many years ago. This month, we received a particularly encouraging update from Maw Poe Khont Library in Kayin State, which continues to thrive and serve communities across the Dawna Hills in mountainous Kayin State.

The local team describe the library as “a vibrant and valuable resource for the community” and the figures are striking.

The library now holds more than 3,800 books, with the collection continuing to grow. Over just two months, 500 e-books were downloaded, reflecting increasing demand for digital resources. The library plays a central role in community life, with 150 children taking part in regular activities and more than 100 people attending the Thadingyut festival.

Access is also improving for those in more remote areas: use of the mobile library has increased by 30%, helping to reach isolated villages. Learning goes beyond reading, with 80 community members attending a recent health and hygiene session, and weekly homework support now reaching over 120 students, many displaced by the conflict elsewhere in Myanmar..

The team is also expanding digital workshops, improving access for isolated villages, and planning new training for teachers. Despite many challenges, the Maw Poe Khont team have built and sustained an active hub for education and community life in a very hard-to-reach place. They've even asked for two more libraries!

Their work has only been possible because of your continued generosity and commitment. Thank you for helping to keep this library alive and growing.