'Please hold our staff, children and their families in the light.' Photo: by MgHla (aka) Htin Linn Aye on Wikimedia Commons
Myanmar: John McConnell works with street kids in the coup
‘This is having a devastating effect on families who were on the breadline even when things were good.’
Seeing the news from Myanmar, and hearing the fear in the voices of friends there, I live with an aching heart. On top of the pandemic, Myanmar society is convulsed by a military coup which, friends say, is much harder to bear. Widespread protests have been met with harsh measures by security forces, including live gunfire, often with little warning. Covid and coup together have affected both security and the economy.
In response to the pandemic, our sister organisation, Hope for Shining Stars, has adapted how we provide education. Some classes were taking place in shifts of small socially-distanced groups, while others were operating with self-study and home visits. Following the coup, it is now perilous for teachers and children to travel to and from classes. There is a also a risk of young people falling under suspicion, and coming to immediate harm: ‘We do not know where or when the danger will come – bullets, fire, random arrests. We cannot sleep at night.’
As for the older students attending college and residing at our Learning Centre, routines were adjusted to be Covid-safe. The college provided online education, and we were able to continue with a good learning environment and homework support. A donor organisation from Australia provided extra online computing classes. Following the coup, the college suspended classes and restrictions were imposed on internet providers. Because of the risk to groups of young people, the decision was made to provide students with laptops, and transport them back to their villages until the situation improves.
As to Myanmar’s economy, with many banks and government departments not functioning, it is nearing paralysis. This is having a devastating effect on families who were on the breadline even when things were good. They are losing their incomes, and food and fuel prices are increasing wildly. Economic failure can push families deep into debt, or precipitate decisions that could devastate their children’s lives.
From the beginning, the strategy of our organisations has included social protection along with education, and our response has been to rebalance these to meet the current situation. We have increased our emergency fund, and are providing families with food hampers and whatever else they need to survive. At the same time, we are encouraging parents to be patient, to support their children’s study during this period, and to be sure to bring them back to continue their learning after it is over.
Staff have tried to avert street violence, and where families of our students have suffered persecution, we are ready to support them. We keep regular contact with each other, though with the closure of mobile data provision, group meetings take longer.
This all might seem rather bleak, and indeed it is. But we have always had difficulties, and we are determined to do the best we can in this situation too! Please hold our staff, children and their families in the light.
John is managing trustee of Scholarships for Street Kids
