Project Development and Financing

The Eastern Townships – Mae Sot Education project began in 2003 when a group of friends in Lennoxville, Quebec decided to create partnerships with three schools for Burmese migrant children in the Mae Sot, Thailand in an effort to assist the growing community of people displaced by ruthless military rule in Burma/Myanmar. They launched a Project Committee and applied for funding to foundations and local organizations and worked with Champlain College - Lennoxville and Bishop's University to advertise for volunteers.  As of summer 2011, the Committee has sent eight small teams of volunteers for six month periods – a total of 32 young people who have grown and contributed to international cooperation through this experience. Over the years, it has also developed partnerships with other schools or “learning centres” as they are called in Thailand.  Its partners now include BHSOH, Hsa Mu Htaw, Say Ta Nar, Hle Bee, Parami and Hsa Thoo Ley learning Centres. As of this year, the project is also sending a volunteer to Kaw Tha Blay Learning Centre, a college project for young adults north of Mae Sot. This year, we have five volunteers.  They divide their time between our partner schools and receive ongoing guidance and support from the Project Committee.

Thanks to generous donors in our community, we have been able to assist partner schools in a variety of ways.  About 55% of our budget supports the volunteers who provide English activity leadership and help with whatever partners need (e.g., teaching English to teachers, completing funding applications).  As the Burmese student population grows up, needs have evolved and assistance with teaching in other content areas has become more important.  Another 38% of our budget provides some funding to each partner school.  Through the volunteers, the project has donated materials and money to schools for a variety of needs (a roof, uniforms, lunches and kitchen supplies, transportation, etc.).  It has also collaborated with other NGOs assisting migrant schools.  Because of the institutional in-kind support received from Bishop’s University and Champlain College – Lennoxville and because all members of the Project Committee are volunteers, we spend very little on administration.

The total cost of sending five volunteers, supporting their work in Thailand, contributing classroom materials and financial resources to partner schools (about $2000 CAD each) and doing publicity and outreach is about $37,000 CAD. From the beginning, the project has been guided by the view that participation should not be dependent on the volunteers’ financial resources.  Thus fundraising is done collectively by the Project Committee and the volunteers.  Grants from foundations and donations from local organizations and individuals, contributions from Bishop's University and Champlain College - Lennoxville and fundraising activities initiated by the volunteers all help provide the necessary funding. The project is grateful for all donations, large and small.

MSEP provides materials for migrant schools.