How Far Would You Go to Learn?

Wa students from a youth center shared their stories of how they traveled from poor families and regions to Yangon for education. Here’s Ok Sin’s story.

Like many children, she came to Yangon for education and was taken in by an adoptive family. The family did not treat her well and kept her around for cheap house labor. Many of the adoptive families will abuse the kids or force them to do so much house work there is no time to go to school. Children are caught in the struggle because they have no way to get home and no safe place to go. Ok Sin’s family refused to let her go to school because it cost too much. Ok Sin missed much of her education and began to think she was stupid. At one point the family decided they didn’t want her in the house anymore and she ended up on the street for 2 days. Scared and alone, she had nowhere to go. Even with all the dangers on the street, especially at night, God protected her. Ok Sin went to a friend’s house for help. Her friend’s adoptive family called Ok Sin’s adoptive family. For some reason they came and took her back.

At school Ok Sin noticed other kids had enough food and clean clothes to wear, yet she was not able to choosing what she wanted or liked. Things were simply given to her. Ok Sin was able to save enough money to buy presents for her family and to visit them up north. Upon arriving she discovered her parents had died while she was away. Ok Sin returned to Yangon with a broken heart and more resolve to finish her education. Finally in 8th grade she met the director of a youth center specializing in helping kids who come to Yangon for education, but end up in harsh adoptive family situations and cannot afford to have a safe place to live and study.

While studying at the youth center, Ok Sin worked hard to pass her matriculation exam since her primary education was so poor and close to nonexistent. She took the BARS exam 3 times before she passed and was able to start working on her Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies. Ok Sin is still living at the youth center where she is safe and excited to study.

The youth center is always full with a waiting list. Ages range from 9-21. Kids attend public school during the day and receive extra lessons in the evening. The second round helps them absorb the information which is often not taught in ways kids can fully grasp the material. The director of the youth center shared her faith story of wanting to DO something to help the Wa people. When she found out about the children being mistreated by adoptive families, she knew this was her calling and chance to change the lives of these kids. Work is demanding. The center must be staffed 24-7 for the students who live at the center. Older students with leadership abilities function as dorm leaders and monitor the kids. The eyes of each child are filled with hope despite their difficulties. One of the college students there was studying to become a civil engineer. Each day, lesson by lesson the youth turn their hope into reality.