Together with Room To Grow Foundation, Mark and Paul were able to survey five Burmese migrant schools in the area. In addition, we are thankful to have had Boon from the Mekong Minority Foundation (MMF) visiting to assist with surveying and agricultural expertise. Boon is Sgaw Karen, which allowed him to communicate with teachers and students much more efficiently than the rest of us.
Hway Ka Loke is a migrant school roughly ten kilometers outside of Mae Sot city, and about three kilometers away from the Burmese-Thai border. The students and teachers are mostly Pho Karen, and originate from western Karen State in Burma. There are over 370 students in attendance at the school, of which 220 stay in the boarding houses adjacent to the school.
Site #2 is also near Mae Sot, and comprises of ethnic Burmese students and teachers. Due to concerns for security and confidentiality of the students and their families, we've been recommended not to mention the name or location.
By the end of November we have trainings planned at each school. Our goals from these trainings are:
-Share knowledge, skills and abilities with the teachers and students so that they can have a productive, inexpensive source of food year round
-Improve the problem-solving skills of the teachers and students
-Use methods for more efficient water storage during the dry season, and learn from what goes right/what goes wrong
-Give migrant students a base of knowledge that they can take (and use) anywhere they go in the future, so that they and their families benefit
Over the past month ground has been plowed, equipment has been purchased, plans have been made, and fun has been had! Check out some photo updates for both Hway Ka Loke and Site #2 .
