By November this pile of wood will be transformed into a primary school for 84 Chin children in Burma who at present have no chance of getting an education.
The Chin people in the tiny village of Tilum in Burma have been the target of persecution and oppression for many years. The Chin Human Rights Organisation describe how the Chin people in Burma have had to endure “decades long violation of the rights of women and children, forced labour, political suppression, racial discrimination religious persecutions committed by the Burmese military regime”.
Tilum is situated just 3 miles from the neighboring village of Tibual where one of the main Burma Army Battalions are posted. These soldiers force tax, labour and food from the Tilum villagers and consequently many people have left the village.
The remaining 19 households (which consist of 3-4 families sharing the same house) are those who lack the money or capacity to leave the village or those who are too afraid to settle in other communities. Many families cannot leave as they rely on jhuming cultivation, growing rice or sweetcorn in order to survive.
There is no transportation out of the village so the children remaining in Tilum have no chance of an education. This is why it’s so vital for us to support the community and build a primary school.
Children on the Edge are paying for the building of the school which will have four teachers and give an education to 84 children. Materials have arrived and building works have started, so come November we should be reporting on the opening of a brand new school.
Find out more about our work with the Chin people of Burma or donate to our projects.