Myanmar Scholarship Program

When hurricane Nargis hit the delta region of Myanmar Journeys Within Our Community found that with a huge outpouring of support from our past guests and donors we were able to get help into the country whilst the big charities were still being refused entry.

Our managing director was soon on his way to a small village that had been devastated with much needed supplies of rice and oil. We were able to continue supporting this community until major relief supplies started arriving. At the same time he visited Mingalar Parahita Orphanage on the outskirts of Yangon. It had both been severely damaged and had experienced an influx of more children orphaned by the storm. There too food was desperately needed and we were able to provide food and oil until their traditional supplies were re-established many months later.

At that point we began to work with the orphanage to develop some of the programs that fit in with the JWOC projects elsewhere, and they were delighted to hear of our Scholarship Student Program. With 8 students due to attend university, and funds very tight it was for the abbot a wonderful offer from JWOC. We would pay to put their university students through university if each student agreed to do 5 to 10 hours a week of volunteer time for the monastery or in the local community. All 8 students have started their studies under JWOC sponsorship and are working their volunteer time, so we are delighted to add 8 more young people who are attending university thanks to the generosity of our guests, families and donors.

None of this would have been possible without the smiling and practical help of Tin, who is the Journeys Within Tour Company liason in Yangon and volunteers his time as the JWOC coordinator in Myanmar.

Volunteers and visitors are always welcome at the orphanage. Our Board Chair visited when on tour last November and you could too!

Photos of our students will be coming soon...