Home-based classes were put on hold in October 2020 due to the increase of COVID-19 in Hakha. From mid-November to mid-December 2020, 53 students attended home-based classes for an hour a day, five days per week.
St John's School COVID-19 Relief
Project Code: MMPT-2200182 | Project Location: Hakha, Myanmar
The reality in Myanmar
Since the military coup in February 2021, Myanmar has been thrown into chaos with protests demanding for the restoration of the government and release of Aung San Suu Kyi. There has been no sign of change as the military continues to hold and enforce its power with deadly consequences.
Thousands of innocent civilians in have been displaced by the conflict. According to the United Nations in Myanmar, over 220,000 people have been displaced since February. In Mindat, 6 hours south of Hakha, on one of only two roads to Hakha City, out of a population of 40,000 only 700 people are still residing in the city. due to fierce fighting.
Landmines has been planted around the village by the miltary which have already claimed the road of a child. Those who have been displaced are afraid to return.
In Myanmar, a predominantly Buddhist country, Christians are a minority, accounting for 6.2 percent of its 54 million population. In one incident, Father Tin Thang, a Catholic priest in the region, was abducted by an armed anti-military group who accused the priest of supplying information to and receiving support from the military junta. The diocese denies Father Tin Thang had any involvement with the security force.
St John’s School is located in the centre of Chin state, the western-most state in Myanmar.
Home-based education program
Home-based education program
In January 2021, 41 students attended the home-based classes. From first week of February 2021, home-based education was put on hold to ensure the safety and security of staff, students and their families as Myanmar’s political situation escalated.
Staffing
Staff salaries had to decrease slightly due to the impact of the pandemic and political instability in the country effecting income generation. Funds have gone towards supporting staff, who otherwise would have no money to pay for basic living expenses. Even though no classes have been undertaken the last few months, funds have been used to help the teachers survive.
Plans for the future
The situation in Myanmar is continuing to deteriorate due to the widespread covid-19 which continues to increase. The military coup in February coup have created greater challenges as the civil disobedience movement have closed hospitals and caused the country to come to a hold.
This together with the governments persecution of doctors is causing significant challenges. Catholic Mission is still staying on contact with all our project partners in Myanmar and look at how we can provide support to them.
An example of this is Catholic Mission purchasing and delivering of an Oxygen Plant in Yangon to fill 120 oxygen cylinders of 40L.