Light in the Darkness as The Esther Project begins a new program year. 3/7/2021
As we all know, our country has been under military rule since the February 1st coup d’état. Since the coup, there has not been a single day or night for the civilians when we feel safe and secure.
In the midst of darkness and pain, we, the staff of the Esther Project staff maintain our focus and energy on our calling, which is to give a future and hope to the most vulnerable children. The pandemic has severely affected education in our country as schools were shut down the entire academic year last year and it is certain that the schools will not reopen this year. The current situation has not only negatively affected the future of our country but also poisoned the future of the next generation.
On the other hand, when the night is darkest, that is the time when a person can see the faintest of stars. The darker the night, the brighter they glow. Where there is no other light, a single candle shines brighter in the darkness. The Esther Project chooses to be the candle, the distant star, to provide a light for the children even in this; the darkest hour of our country.
The current situation has presented numerous challenges for us to start the new program year; or more exactly, as the president of the board of directors encourages us… “We are learning crisis management - literally under fire.” As such, we could not just sit and watch from our homes, knowing that the children need us the more now than ever before during this time of uncertainty, upheaval and violence. Knowing that it would be extremely dangerous for the children to bring them to our learning centers, we have elected to instead, travel to each of the orphanages that partner with us to provide the education, hope and future that they need.
To accomplish our goal this year, the staff is either taking a bicycle or walking to each orphanage. For neighborhood safety, out of fear that strangers may come to burn down houses, steal or attack people, each road and ward has set up their own security to make sure that any strangers are easily identified. As such, people are very sensitive to outsiders and it is very risky for our staff to transit to each of the orphanages. For our safety, we avoid police and soldiers and the individual neighborhood safety patrols as much as possible on our way to and from the orphanages, taking backroads, and little-used pathways. On one occasion, this past week, one of our staff had a difficult time returning from the orphanage she taught at, as thousands of protesters had formed opposite the police and soldiers blocking all the roads. Fortunately, the caregiver was able to guide her around via a drainage ditch to an area outside the conflict zone and then helped her to safely arrive home.
Regardless of all the risks and challenges, we had encouraging classes at each of the orphanages who partner with us over the week. The children were so excited to meet their teachers. Everyone had huge smiles on their faces as we met and talked. The children had many questions they wanted to ask about the current situation in the country. So, we took time to listen to their questions and explained as much as we can. The conversation with individual students and groups provided a sense of relief to the children's feelings of anxiety.
This is how our new program year has begun, we are hopeful and determined, we know that we must remain that light on the hill, so we ask you to continue to pray for our country, the children, and our staff. We have not lost our faith that a new beginning for the country is happening. We only need to be patient and keep trusting the LORD. Please continue to pray that the Esther Project continues operating in the midst of this chaos.
It is our commitment to continue to be that single candle for all to see.
-Solomon Shwe Oke, County Manager