My children’s success: a mother's account of School Feeding

My name is Daw Thein Htay and my husband name is U Tin Thein. My family lives in Shwe Toke Kan village, in Yenancahung Township 32km north of Yenanchaung. Agricultural in the main livelihood for Shwe Toke Kan community and on the other hand livestock is a side work support to livelihood. The community is simple minded and simple hearted and they are active participants and willing to be in all village development works and social welfares together in cooperation.

I have five children; 3 sons, and 2 daughters. The eldest son Lin Htet Aung, 16, Grade 11, and elder daughter May July Hnin, 13 in Grade 9 attending at Yenanchaung state High School.  The middle daughter Hnin Kha Yay Lin, 13, grade 5 and younger son Kyaw Zin Lin Khant, grade 3, both attending at the village primary school. The youngest child is still too young to go to school.

At 2009, I got a great chance that World Vision – Yenanchaung implemented the FFE school feeding program supporting by World Food Programme. The primary students who attend the village primary school with 90% school attendance entitled a take home ration of rice 10 Kg per month per student.  World Vision staff explained the detail of the program including the objectives of school feeding program, the important of education and relation and effectiveness between education and future life for all children. So the community from Shwe toke Kan village including me came to known well and very happy with the food security and future educational goal for their children. Although rice was only 10 kg, not too much for a family, provide food especially when face very difficult food need in the family in off farm season. In the previous time I did not know the value of education and has no expectation for my children’s future. I know only to get money for household daily need.  Some time I let my children do household works instead of letting them go to school.  

My family is big with 7 family members including five children. There has no job opportunity in the village and nearby villages for every season and my husband has to leave the family and migrate seeking casual labor work to earn income and sent home. Hard to reach ends meet. However my husband and I try our best to keep our children in school. It would be very difficult to keep our children in school without the school feeding program. I was lighten and aware of and have hope for my children to be educated. So, now I encourage my children to attend school regularly and happily and try hard with their home works and lessons. They understand and listen to me.  The great impact is the result of my children. They got prizes in every academic year. I am very glad and proud of the educational success of my children.

Above all, it is more than I can say and would like to thank a lot to World Vision Yenanchaung and World Food Program for the providing of School Feeding Program to those who need support.

Story facilitated by Soe Thu, Community Development Facilitator, Yenanchaung ADP, Myanmar.