A night study group is thriving

A clean tar main road leads toward Htet’ village, which is surrounded by plots of palms trees and rubber plantations on the hills above the road. Htet lives 14 miles away from the coastal city of Kawthaung, in Thannitharyi Division, the southern-most part of Myanmar.

Most of the families in the village earn money by doing odd jobs on the rubber and betel plantations. Htet’s father works as a supervisor on the plantations while her mother is a housewife. Htet is learning in grade 6th and the eldest sister among 3 siblings.

As odd job workers, most of the parents in Htet’s village can’t give enough time to help their children with their school lessons.

As odd job workers, most of the parents in Htet’s village can’t give enough time to help their children with their school lessons. As a consequence, children often don’t finish their homework and sometimes don’t study well at home.

Htet had trouble understanding her school lessons. She needed more guidance and help outside of school. Unfortunately, Htet received an unexpected answer when she asked for help from her mom. 

“How would I able to explain your lessons, my daughter, I did not even pass primary school,” said Daw Moe.

As she fell further and further behind, Htet started to concentrate less on school.

As primary education is fundamental for every child and in order to promote quality education, World Vision initiated the Night Study Group Programme in  Htet’s village in June 2012; a collaboration and with the Community Based Organisation (CBO) members [community volunteers].

Children rush out of their homes just before 6:30pm. They all gather in the one-story concrete building, called the Night Study Group Centre. There, volunteers help the students’ catch-up on their lessons by helping with homework and encourage students to study regularly. The building is full of mostly primary level students, daily from 6:30 to 8:30pm, during the school year.

By studying regularly and having strong determination for the future, Htet started to become an outstanding student among her classmates.

“I am so glad to have night study group here in our village; I am doing well in my lessons. I even got the 2nd place in my class for 3 years now,” Htet shares her joys.

“I will try to become a doctor because I would like to contribute free cost health care services for poor families in my village,” Htet shares her goal.

“We want every child from this village to pass the primary level education with a proper understanding of the lessons,” shares U Soe Naing, a passionate Night Study Group volunteer.

World Vision supports many aspects of the Night Study Group Programme, including the building, electricity, and stationery. World Vision also provided tables, white boards and an honorarium for teachers. 58 students are coming regularly to study at this night study group on school open days and doing well in their school lessons.

“Some children don’t have anyone who can help them with their studies so I am grateful to help them. I want every child in this village to become an educated person,” says Daw Cho,a night study group volunteer.