Education

In and after school

Click photo to view slideshow.

Images available on Flickr

A vegetable garden in East Los Angeles, a basketball court on the outskirts of Port au Prince, an outdoor classroom under the Myanmar sun—these are just a few of the places where school children are practicing peace and advocating for justice.

Many are preparing to mark the beginning of a new year of learning. Watch this slide show (left) to learn about some of the communities where AFSC works with youth in and after school. 

Myanmar monastic school children

New teaching techniques encourage students to ask questions and think critically about what they are learning.

See more pictures from our work in Myanmar.

As poverty in Myanmar (Burma) deepens, Buddhist monasteries have started schools to provide basic education and care for the increasing number of poor children who cannot afford to attend state schools.  These schools accept students of both sexes and of all ethnicities and religions, and use the standard state curriculum.  The monks and nuns leading these schools see education as vital to the future of their country.  The state spends less than 2% of gross domestic product on health and education, leading to a serious deterioration in the country’s future prospects.

Imagine sitting in a room when, all of a sudden, the lights go out.  Without warning the ability to navigate the room and the comfort of knowing where things are is lost in darkness.  If you, like me, are afraid of the dark you know the worst part is having to get up and feel through the blackness and uncertainty for the light switch.  On Wednesday, April 20, 2011, the young boys and girls who are not afraid to talk about their undocumented immigrant status felt real fear when the County College of Morris board turned out the lights on what was sure to be a promising and rewa