Thank You From the Bottom of My Heart
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I recently returned from an amazing visit to Burma/Myanmar, where I spent several weeks traveling all over the country with my husband, Build a School in Burma (BSB) founder Bob Cornwell, and BSB's in country director, Naing Naing Lin. I wish that you could have seen the difference that your contributions have made in the lives of so many young kids and their communities. With the 50th school nearing completion, BSB schools are now located in every state in Myanmar.
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Lahu and Shan Students at Pain Sar Preschool
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What did we do? It was an intense few weeks in which we dedicated a new school...visited schools that were built a few years ago to see how they are doing (thriving!)...made site visits to, and vetted proposals for, prospective 2020 school projects...took a donor to visit a school that she donated in memory of her father...reconnected with our local partners for the school projects...enjoyed the kids (there may be nothing cuter than 4-7 year olds performing traditional Lahu, Kachin and Pa-O dances)...and gained a few pounds because Myanmar hospitality means preparing a traditional feast for each and every guest (and then watching you eat it).
The highlight for me was the incredibly warm reception everywhere we went...the gratitude for the chance BSB has given to these needy children in often isolated villages, the ability for their children to go to school or to remain at home rather than be sent to live with strangers in a larger village with a school.
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Traditional Burmese Curry Feast
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But the overarching impression is the magnitude of the need: many of BSB's schools are in very poor villages, and there are so many other villages that do not even have a school at all or need their school repaired so that it can be used during the rainy season or need it replaced because it is no longer safe to hold classes in it or need a middle school because the nearest one is too far away for a daily commute (and the families are too poor to board their children or unwilling to send their 10 year old to live away from home). I listened to story after story of the personal sacrifices made for a child to get an education, something that most of us probably take for granted...stories that brought me to tears more than once.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generous spirit in helping BSB build these 50 schools. We could not have done this without you. This year, we have the funds to complete 8-10 more schools...but we have at least 12 excellent school proposals, maybe more. Please help BSB say yes to all of these needs. As always, 100% of your donation is used to build schools. Board members contribute BSB operating costs, including travel to Myanmar.
With much gratitude,
Cathryn Thurow
Co-Founder and Board Member
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