Friends of Burma, Inc. (501 (c)(3) non profit organization): July 2011 Archives

July 2011 Archives

Pathein University Christian Fellowship

By Lwin on July 24, 2011 3:21 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

Established in 1958, Pathein University Christian Fellowship (UCF) is located in Pathein, Ayeyawady Region in Myanmar. Pathein, in the western part of the delta, is the capital of Ayeyawady Division and students from the entire region attend Pathein University. Although majority of the students are Buddhists, Christian students also attend the university. Pathein UCF offers fellowship opportunities as well as spiritual nourishment for the students who are far from home.

There is a regular worship service at UCF Chapel Hall every Sunday at 8:30 a.m.

Pathein UCF Chapel

UCF students worship and have fellowship with Churches in Pathein and take part in youth worship sessions. They also worship and have fellowship every month with other Christian organizations in Pathein.
The worship and prayer meetings of the Campus Christian family draw them closer together as well as closer to their Creator. Their Christmas and New Year programs make the season brighter and merrier.
They conduct a University Senior Friends Gathering Program every year resulting in fond memories.

Pathein UCF Senior Friends Gathering and Senior Friends

They participate enthusiastically in National Level UCF Programs and activities which provide ideas to create fellowship with one another and to serve communities in need.
They also conduct ecumenical training for the Pathein, Maubin and Henzada UCFs in the Ayeyawady Region
They conduct the freshmen welcome and farewell for final year students.

The special programs organized by Pathein UCF students include:

Celebrating Christmas and giving Christmas presents to the children between 4-14 years who live in the ward.
Conducting a UCF Fun Fare every year for fund raising.
Participating in World University Students Prayer Day in a Pathein Interdenominational service.
Launching Campaign every year in rural villages during the Thingyan water Festival to motivate children's interest in higher education.
Going to UCF mission field, Kywe Wa Gone every year to celebrate Christmas, give Christmas presents and treat ill persons.

Pathein UCF Mission Field: Kywe Wa Gone Village

The Pathein UCF center serves poor students from rural areas who study at Pathein University. The EC members (pictured below) work hard to keep the facility going and be a home away from home for the students.

Current Pathein UCF EC members

There are (13) female and (13) male Christian students who stay at the Pathein UCF Center this academic year. The students meet for devotions nightly at 8:00 p.m. Thramu Thant Zin Oo is the UCF Pastor at present.

The fifty year-old residence for women needs major renovation or needs to be replaced.

Pathein UCF women dormitory

The students thank all who are supporting Pathein UCF through Friends of Burma.

Naw Paw Wah Doh Nursery Schools Project

By Lwin on July 1, 2011 6:10 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

Naw Paw Wah in center with American visitor and her nephew

Naw Paw Wah Doh has dedicated her life to the development of nursery schools in the Shwe Gyin area. Her program is called Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD).

She holds seven different training sessions during the year. One is for leaders of churches and villagers who want a nursery school. The second is one month training for those who want to be nursery school teachers. The third type is for parents so they can be supportive of the ECCD program. The fourth type is for Advocacy training for all villagers. The fifth is Management Committee so they understand their role and work.

The sixth is toy making. And the last is Refresher course for ECCD teachers who have been teaching to help them evaluate their work and improve their schools.

Graduates of her classes have established 75 Early Childhood Care and Development Schools.

Some schools require uniforms such as these blue and white ones. The Primary schools these children will eventually attend require white and green uniforms.

But some schools do not require uniforms because their parents cannot afford them.

The idea behind nursery schools is to give mental stimulation at an early age. Many educators feel a child's attitude towards education and learning is well established before Primary School so it is very important young children receive the proper training.

It is important to learn rules, how to play together, take turns and cooperate.

Every nursery school has a "Pretend Corner" where they play games of pretending to be parents and learn to cooperate and work together.

Even a tub of water can be an interesting learning experience.

Big muscles need to be developed and strengthened.

Balance and perseverance can also be learned on outdoor equipment.

Simple outside toys such as a slide or teeter totter are just fun and healthy.

Christmas time is a time of celebration for the nursery school children. It is also a time to interpret the Christian message to non Christians and include both younger and older siblings in the festival.

The children reenact the nativity scene complete with Mary and Joseph, shepherds, wise men and angels.

Such nursery schools need equipment and there is very little available for purchase even if they had the money. Therefore she has training sessions on how to make educational toys out of materials that are available.

The graduates of these toy making sessions are justifiably proud of what they have learned to make. Now each learner will use the toys they made in their nursery school.