Meeting the Needs of Myanmar's Displaced Families

Teachers and staff at schools like Kwe Ka Buang Learning Center in Thailand are working hard to support young Burmese migrant students who have fled the ongoing war in their home country. Because it is difficult to support the growing number of students in need, many schools cannot afford to provide children with more than two meals per day. So Peace Winds is supporting dozens of these community schools with food, clean water, and much-needed school supplies.

To supplement meals provided by the schools, Peace Winds is providing an additional meal to ensure that children can eat lunch each day. Additionally, because many schools have broken or dilapidated water and sanitation facilities, we are installing water purification systems at several schools to ensure that students have access to clean water in the long term. 

It can be difficult for Burmese migrants to navigate and integrate into Thai society when they do not speak Thai. To help students with this transition, Peace Winds is providing them with Thai language textbooks, along with other essential school supplies that many community schools cannot afford. 

In addition to supporting Thai community schools, Peace Winds continues to run a program that supports Burmese parents and children who have fled to communities in Thailand along the Thai-Myanmar border. While some have lived here since fleeing the long-running conflict in Myanmar 50 years ago, a large influx of families seeking safety has been ongoing since the 2021 coup. Because the language, culture, and lifestyle in Thailand are so different, Burmese families can end up living isolated lives and struggling to navigate things like healthcare, childcare, and education.

Peace Winds is running a training program for volunteers who teach workshops that help families navigate these things. They provide parents with the opportunity to seek advice on childcare and get help with administrative matters like birth registration and school enrollment. Workshops also provide a place for parents to connect with each other, share their experiences, and build a sense of community.

The needs of Burmese migrant children and families remain immense, but your donations go a long way in helping to meet students’ needs so that they can focus on learning and just being children. This program is made possible by a grant from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as donations from our individual supporters.