BEAM MYANMAR VILLAGE CORPS PROGRAM
Village Corps Program
In January of 2017, BEAM, with the support of EBTM (Education Burma Thailand Myanmar), initiated a program called “Village Corps” to support passionate BEAM alumni who aspire to establish community based development projects in their villages in Myanmar.
The Village Corps Program aims to create technical development, generate job opportunities, and provide trainings for knowledge and skill sharing to encourage competency. 5 projects were selected to be implemented in three different areas of Myanmar: Kachin State, Shan State, and Kayah State.
Goals
- to empower Myanmar migrant youth to become community leaders - to initiate community based development process in rural areas of Myanmar - to create community based development models that inspire communities in Myanmar
Solution
BEAM Education Foundation provides a technical, financial and development network to BEAM alumni who have aspiration for community development in their own communities. These former students wish to become leaders in their community to move the development process forward. Sustainability and community participation are important values to ensure in each project.
Activities
In January, BEAM conducted workshops and meetings with BEAM alumni, Myanmar migrant youth and development partners in Chiang Mai Thailand for informing about VCP and opening application.
In February, a project selection committee was founded with 5 members comprised of BEAM Myanmar and BEAM Thailand coordinators, external member and BEAM Foundation Director. The committee selected 5 projects among 10 proposals through interviews and meetings. The selected projects are Root Wood Furniture project, Putao Women Initiative, Local Garment training and Production, Family Planning and Birth Control, and Local Resource Center.
project coordinators are trained for project management; accounting and developing Logical Framework Approach (LFA) which are needed to manage and monitor the project.
Most projects implemented in April and May, Birth Control and Family Planning project implemented in June, and, Local Resource Center implemented in August respectively.
Between April and July, Village Corps Program Coordinator visits project areas in three states in Northern and Eastern Myanmar including Kachin, Shan and Kayah states. VCP coordinator analyzes the local conditions, support and assists in organizing network and provides suggestion for dealing with challenges. VCP coordinator and BEAM Foundation Director collaborate through all available communication sources to facilitate the project implementation to be successful.
Fund allocation is made by two channels which include transfer from BEAM Thailand to projects and transfer from BEAM Myanmar Office to projects. All transfers and fund allocation are facilitated and managed by VCP coordinator in line with agreed budget. In case of emergency need, VCP coordinator consults with Foundation Director to support additional resource in monetary or other forms. BEAM Myanmar office takes the role for accounting, auditing and facilitation to organize resource network.
Selected project in 2017
The following projects are initiated by BEAM alumni, former migrant workers, and supported by BEAM:
Root Wood Furniture (Demoso, Kayah State) : br/> This project turns salvaged root woods into valuable furniture, give vocational education and employment to local youth in Demoso of Kayah state.
PutaO Women Initiative (PutaO, Northern Kachin State)
Putao is the most northern part of Burma and has long raining season. Young students don’t have enough school uniforms to attend schools. This project train local young women for tailoring training and produce school uniforms for children, also produce traditional dresses for local festivals.
Local garment training and production (Maijayan, South East Kachin State)
This area is located in armed conflict area of Northern Myanmar. Thousands of young women and children are trapped in IDP camps. This project train young women in IDP and neighboring villages to create income generation. This project also aims to prevent human trafficking of young women from camps into China.
Family Planning and Birth Control Project (Mong Tong, South East Shan State)
Lack of awareness and health knowledge in this area resulted uncontrolled birth and orphans. This project was initiated by former migrant worker who studied at BEAM and became nurse. Her vision is to educate local villagers about birth control and family planning to fight against poverty and increasing number of orphans.
Local Resource Center (Mong Pang, Southern Shan State)
Many young people in Mong Pang have little opportunity for further education and development, ending up in drug network. This project creates a space for local youth to organize, learn and share ideas and experience. This place also support local youth to wider network across Myanmar and also across the border for their exposure and opportunities to develop.
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Number of students who have benefitted from Root Wood Furniture
Number of people who have benefitted from PutaO Women Initiative
Number of people who have benefitted from Local Garment Training
Number of people who have benefitted from Family Planning and Birth Control Project
Number of people who have benefitted from Local Resource Center