Articles - Community Schools Program (CSP)

Activity report of the WCPRC in Burma (November 2011 to May 2012)

Overall the objectives of the WCPRC/ part of the country

The Community School Program is the partner organization for the implementation of the WCP Program in village schools in Burma and schools for refugee/migrant children from Burma on the Thai side of the border. (The CSP is important as this is the Civic Society Organization that is the formal partner organization of the WCP). The World Children‘s Prize Foundation has provided funding for the Community School Program which has enabled us to run the WCPRC activities in schools in refugee camps in Thailand and schools in Karen state in Burma. The funding has covered materials, translation cost for the prize magazine, printing cost, food for the workshops and the global voting, for organizing the press in the community and funding for teachers’ training as well as specific funding for the child rights workshop. This support has strengthened the Community School Project which means that the education level of the children is improving and in turn the civil society in Burma is empowered. Through the input of the WCP program we gained knowledge about the rights of the child and democracy and we are able to pass this on to the children though regular school work and also events such as the child rights workshop. This will have a lasting impact on Burmese society as these children mature and develop into future leaders and community members.

Activities in October 2011 to August 2012

Distribution of the WCPRC certificate to schools

In December 2011, the remaining four schools in the Community Schools Program received the WCPRC certificate and the children handed it over to schools during the celebration of the 10th anniversary.

Translation of the Prize magazine into the Karen Language

At the start of November the English version of the magazine was translated into the Karen language and edited. Photocopies were then produced. This year a larger number of copies of the Karen version were sent to Burma and the refugee camps. There were 30 schools in Burma that received the Karen and English version magazine. They were also sent to the schools in the refugee camps and libraries for the children to learn more about their rights. The Prize magazines were also distributed to the foundations and NGOs that work with issues relating to children.

Distribution of the English version Prize magazine

On the 20th of November the Prize magazine was sent to migrants’ schools and organizations and foundations who are working with issues relating to children. On the 24th of January the English version with the accompanying Karen translation were sent to village schools in Burma. It took many days for the magazines to arrive to the schools. From Mae Sot to Mae Samlap it took six and half hours by car and then from Mae Samlap to Burma (storage place) it took five hours, then people had to carry it to the schools. The nearest school takes half a day by foot and the furthest school Is a five day hike.

Organisation of the basic child rights training and the global vote in the schools

Schools in the Community Schools’ Program (Burma)

The basic child’s right training, children declaration workshop and teacher training was held from the 8th ‐10th December. The workshop was two days long and attended by both students and teachers a total of 63 people. Of the total, 6 were teachers, 2 were school committee members and the rest were the students from 24 schools. Following the training the students returned to their own schools to share what they had learnt with their colleagues and peers in preparation for the upcoming Global Vote in April. Two new schools are situated far from the rest of the schools and there is concern about security. Due to this issue the children will not participate in the WCPRC/global vote. In the 2010 annual meeting it was decided that the global voting would be organised in one rather than five locations. But due to the security concerns it will not be possible to organise it this way and therefore it will take place at multiple locations as before.

Below are comments written by children who attended the two days basic child right workshop in Lay Nar Dern village.

• All parents should give their children the chance to go to school and study

• It should be a right for all children to be able to access free education.

• There should be freedom to travel.

• Children should have the right to play.

• Children should have the right to free education.

• Children should have education and then one day they can serve the community

• Children have to flee because Burmese solider come (this is child rights abuse)

• All parents should give their children time to read and write

• Don’t forbid the child’s rights.

• The Burmese army come to our villages, our houses and torture us and kill villagers including

children (this is child rights abuse)

• The children would like to attend the school, but their parent forbids them.

• The children will become a leaders and work with the community in the future.

• The children should have to right to worship freely or chose their religion

• Children must be friendly with each other.

• The leader must promote child rights.

Location

There will be four locations for the 2012 global vote in the Community Schools’ Program.

1) Saw Bwe Dern School and Day Bu Noh area (the children from Saw Bwe Dern, Hee PoeDern, Paw Hta, Kyaw Nyunt Hta, Kar Nar Dern, Kaw Lor Khee, Doe Hai Dern, Bu Baw Khee, Pay Gay Dern, Lay Nar Dern, Doi Loe, Paw Say Bu, Mee Wah Dern, Tha Thwee Dern(Ta Kwee Soe), Thoo Bee ( Tha Thwee Dern 2), and Wai Nor Dern

2) Gaw Khee School (the children from Loe Khee, Gaw Khee(Ta Khut Lay Koe and Ta Kaw Dern cannot participant)

3) Wah Kar Dern Clinic (the children from Plaw Khee, Ta Nay Poe Klar, Law Bo Dern, Le wah Koe and Kwee Ta Mar

4) Doo Tha Htoo area (the children from Ta Mai Khee, Su Khee, Baw Nor War and Ka War Hta)

Schools in the refugee camps

On the 9th of March 2012 the basic child right training and ‘how to organize the global vote’ was run in Mae La refugee camp and on the 12th of March 2012 it was run in Umpheim refugee camp. 25 children from Mae La and 25 children from Umpheim attended the workshop.

Organising the Global vote day in the schools

Each year children from the Community Schools’ Program participate in the World Children’s Prize activities and the global vote.

Day Bu Noh area

On the 3rd of April ’12 the global vote was held in Day Bu Noh village at the Yu Za Lin river bank. The chairperson for the global vote day was Saw Ray Loh Htoo, a fourth grade student from Saw Bwe Dern School. 250 students and 21 teachers participated in the global vote day. They had to walk for a day from their schools to Day Bu Noh village where the voting was held. Voting also took place by students in two more locations but unfortunately these votes were note able to reach Mae Sot in time to be counted (due to the large distance between the schools and the border).

Kler Lwee Htoo area

On the 7th of April ’12 the global vote day was held in Kler Lwee Htoo district (Nyaung Lin Binn in Burmese), Karen state, Burma in Gaw Khee village. 100 children and 10 teachers attended this global vote day. Parents and villagers also attended. Before the children were started voting they celebrated with Karen dancing.

Doo Tha Htoo area

On the 8th of April ’12 the global vote day was held in Kler Lwee Htoo Doo Tha Htoo district (Tha Toon in Burmese), Karen state, Burma in Ta Mai Khee village. There were 85 children and 8 teachers who attended this global vote day.

Organising the global vote in the refugee camps

In 2012 children from two refugee camps participated in the global vote. On the 14th of March the vote was held in Mae La camp and on the 16th of March it was held in Umphiem camp.

The table below shows the number of students and teachers who participated in the global vote:

Name of School	Number of Children	Number on Child Jury	Number of Teachers	Total Vote
High‐4 + Primary‐6 (ML)	337	8	14	337
High‐1 + High‐ 7 (ML)	829	8	20	829
High ‐ 1 + Middle ‐ 1 (UP)	1090	8	19	1090
High ‐ 2 + Middle ‐ 2 (UP)	745	8	13	745
Total	3001	32	66	3001

Successes working with the World Children Prize Foundation

When we (CSP) started to work with the WCP the CSP program became stronger. For example:

• There were more donors interested in providing funding for the program.

• The children in the program can now learn about their basic rights and how to protect and express their rights.

• Not only the children but also the adults, such as the community leaders, parents and teachers, can also learn more about child rights and democracy.

• The WCP program is the first step towards democracy in Burma. In my experience growing up in Burma we never had an opportunity to learn about child rights, human rights or women rights in school.

• The Prize magazine is a great resource for the children who live in Karen villages in Burma because they do not have access to TV or radio to listen to what is happening around the world. The children can learn a lot from the Prize magazine, including their basic child rights. In the past the children did not know about basic child rights, but now they can share with their friends and adults about what rights they should have and what kind of rights are abused in their community. They can also learn about other children from around the world and what problems they encounter.

• The children learn about freedom to vote, and they can decide who to vote for and how to vote. They can freely organize democratic elections in their Karen villages in Burma.

• The teachers have learnt to provide good opportunities for the children to have freedom to speak, freedom to learn and freedom to go to school.

• The children have gained more confidence through managing the election. They also can read books and learn more about child rights.

• They learn how to communicate with the other people, and how to give a public speech.

• They now know more about other children and what help other people need. They encourage and help their friends as much as they can, and they learn more about how to help other people, not only those of the same ethnicity. Their teachers are very excited to see the students gaining this experience, they want the students to have a big perspective and learn more about the world.

• I can see that WCPRC is very good. It lets the children know about the situation of child rights in other countries. It also promotes education and encourages the children to stand on their own feet and gives them confidence. WCPRC has been benefited the children a lot.

Challenges

• The global voting was organised in March which coincided with the schools’ summer holidays so there were less students than we estimated.

• Some of the students who lead the vote lacked self‐confidence and they felt shy among the large group of people.

• Need to train more teachers in how to use the prize magazine. Below is feedback from the students and teachers

Report: WCPRC Questionnaires for Students

School: Community Schools Program

Please fill in the number of answers for each alternative
Please also send us the comments from the children below or on a separate paper.

1. How many times have you participated in the WCPRC?

One time 19
Two times 37
Three times, or more 70
Never 2

2. What have you learned about the rights of the child from the WCPRC?

Very much 32
A little 69
Not much 27

3. Did you know about the rights of the child before working with WCPRC for the first time?

Yes 21
No 107

4. What have you learned about democracy from the WCPRC?

Very much 11
Just a little 47
Not much 70

5. What do you think about the Prize magazine The Globe?

I like to read it 71
Rather good 47
Not so good 10

6. What do you think about the Prize website, www.worldschildrensprize.org?

I like it 69
Rather good 29
Not so good 3
I don’t know it 27

7. What have you learned from the WCPRC? ‐ You are welcome to mark several answers.

About the rights of the child 101
About the situation for the rights of the child in my country 91
About children in other countries 91
About people who stand up for our rights 62
I have learned about democracy 42
That I can demand my rights 64
That children’s voices should be heard and our rights respected 39
Not so much 15

8, Did you have many discussions about the rights of the child in your school?

Yes many 28
Some 54
Not so many 46

9. Were you active in working with the WCPRC in your school?

I was very active 38
A little 63
No, not so active 25

10. Did you discuss what you have learned from the WCPRC with your parents?

Yes 39
No 37
With others? Who? neighbor/friend/teacher 52

11. What does the WCPRC mean to you? ‐ You are welcome to mark several answers.

I like working with the WCPRC 94
The WCPRC shows me that we children have rights and that our rights must be respected 110
The WCPRC makes me think about how we fellow human beings treat each other 76
The WCPRC gives me strength and faith in the future 99
The WCPRC has made me wanting to go on working for the respect of the rights of the child 85
I believe that the WCPRC will make me respect the rights of children when I am an adult 89
I believe that the WCPRC will make me value democracy and elections when I am an adult 66
WCPRC does not mean much to me 40

COMMENTS from the children:

• About WCPRC I see it is very good because I have been understood, got the rights, safe from poor place. I also have got education. I feel WCPRC is very benefit for my life.

• I see that WCPRc is very good because our (children) rights have been respected and we have got the opportunity to study in a good place.

• WCPRC shows me how to have self‐confident and how to respect teachers, leaders, parents, and friends.

• About WCPRC, I think it has been benefited the children the whole world especially those who are vulnerable.

• I see WCPRC is good because it supports learning resources.

• WCPRC is very good for the children, who are vulnerable.

• I see that WCPRC is very good because children have faced so many problems. Because of WCPRC, the children’s life becomes better.

• Because of WCPRC, I will have a chance to celebrate World Child’s Rights Day.

• WCPRC I understand that I have to listen to teachers, parents, adults, and rules

• I think WCPRC is about the child rights and the child rights should be protected

• WCPRC gives the rights for children

• I have learned the child rights a lot from my parents and leaders. I am happy to learn that.

• I learn, study, and talk to the adults that I will always try and respect the child rights.

• I am very happy that I can learn the child rights from the parents and leaders.

• I think WCPRC is great because if we look to other schools even they want to work with WCPRC, they do not have the opportunity. Our school has been lucky that we can work with WCPRC which can encourage our thinking skills and awareness about poor people suffering. I also see that WCPRC can develop our children rights and freedom. Finally, I wish I will be able to work with WCPRC forever.

• I think WCPRC is great because I have known child rights, others countries situation, and people who encourage the child rights. I decide myself that one day I will be able to work with WCPRC and learn more about children situation in other countries. WCPRC shows me that we have the rights, and our rights should be respected.

• Because of WCPRC, I have learnt about the rights and that makes me sad. WCPRC shows us that we must have our freedom and rights that should be respected.

• Before the WCPRC starts, I have never seen or heard about the child rights. We started to see and learn about them in 2010. We were very happy. In the future we hope that the program will be better than this time because of learning about child rights, they give us strength and knowledge that we will think critically. I want thank those who encourage the children rights. I also wish they will be safe and live long.

• I am happy that I have got the child rights. Because of the rights, children have more chance to get higher education. Before WCPRC started, I did not have the opportunity to attend school. I have started going to school when the WCPRC started. I really want to thank it.

• I think WCPRC is very great for all the children who have been abused and unable to access the child rights. Moreover, It develops the children future.

• I have been benefited due to WCPRC. Moreover I hear and see other countries children situations are the same as us. I really thank WCPRC very much that helps us to see the children problems. It also supports the children in other countries and children who are vulnerable.

• I think that WCPRC is very great because it can promote children’s life and can give freedom for the children.

Comments/ suggestions from teachers in the refugee camps about the WCPRC and global vote:

• WCPRC is a good program and it needs to work very hard for the children to know about their rights because one day they will be the leaders

• Would like to know more about the WCPRC

• Adults can learn about the child’s rights and stop child trafficking

• Need more information about the WCPRC

• Would like to continue to work with the WCPRC

• Would like to share more information of WCPRC to the children in the camps

• I see that WCPRC is great because it encourage us, so we want it to be more sharing.

• The supports from WCPRC are great, but it is possible that the supports should be more provided for the students because of insufficient.

• The supports from WCPRC are great, but we need them more for the students due to insufficient.

• In class my students and I play the games which are about questions and answers to make students be happy. At the end we have some prize for the students, so they really get involvement and try so hard. I can say that WCPRC is very great for the students. Whenever we study, we must have learning activities about child rights a lot.

• Because of WCPRC project, we have known about leaders’ information, so it is very great.

• Because of WCPRC started, we know the leaders’ jobs what are about.

• We have learn and read about WCPRC magazine, so we know more about world prizes, so it has a lot of advantage for everyone.

• I think WCPRC should happen every year.

• Because of WCPRC started, we have known as well as about leaders and their jobs.

• I think it is good because children know to do good thing, to be helpful, and to live in community which are concerned with rights, supports, participation, and doing good thing.

• I do not have extra comment and suggestions, but I see that everything is great.

• To be honest WCPRC Magazine is in English, so I hope it will be converted in other language for everyone to be able to read it.

• To be honest what is WCPRC is 90% of people do not know it. It is not clear “why?” A pot has a cover‐Pepsis; cola has a cover to protect the liquid not to be able to come out. Children and adults have rights. They know the freedom; however, rules and disciplines are not told to them. NGOs teach rights, but what is a law is not told. WCPRC just like fire on a group of straw and Tsunami. It does not like season‐summer, winter, and raining.

• WCPRC is good for children and girls who are not able to go to school.

• The child rights are good in other countries, but in camp rights for children are sufficient; however, disciplines for children are not clear.

• WCPRC, as I see and think, rights for children and everything are great. If our students possible to use prize magazine, their thinking skill, understanding, ability, and rights would be great, and their future also would develop.

• We work for child rights are great, but we must understand disciplines and rights for children clearly.

• If WCPRC is shared to every school, every child will know it.

• I think and see that WCPRC is good for the children which are given the rights. If our students are possible to use Prize Magazine, it will open the children critical thinking, sight, ability, and rights. Moreover, it will develop the children future.

• I could not say about Prize Magazine because I have never used it. In each year the children in Burma were know more about the basic child right and can organise the global vote very well. The WCPRC is the good program for the children in Burma for learning the children in around the world.