Esther Project expands curriculum in 2021, despite Covid-19 and a coup d’etat in Myanmar 2/8/2021

Facing an unrelenting COVID-19 pandemic and the crisis of a military coup d’état. The Esther Project staff prepare to begin a new year program year in March.  Country Manager Solomon Oake addressed the current situation - “The need for our program has never been greater. Our work has never been more urgent, our children never more isolated, our challenges never greater, and our staff never in more danger.  Yet we focus on the job in front of us, we push forward, we strive to fulfill the mission God has for us; to provide hope and a future to the most vulnerable in Myanmar.  We will not yield; we will push forward to a brighter tomorrow regardless of the circumstances surrounding us today. “ 

With the public schools shuttered for the past year (and no indication of them reopening) and civil unrest across the country, the staff of The Esther Project is preparing to teach not only the vocational skills of English and Computer training, but will also expand our curriculum to include math, science and social studies at the 35 individual orphanages that partner with The Esther Project, to fill the gap that has been left by the public schools not operating.   Staff members will travel by foot, bike, motor scooter, and bus to reach all 35 orphanages every day to conduct classes.

In addition, the Sewing Program will continue with a new class of students, and the Mentoring program for those aging out of the orphanage system will resume this summer.  The option of suspending the program until the situation in Myanmar becomes less chaotic was never considered, as the staff and board realizes that for those, we provide life-changing vocational skills to; a lost year may well mean a lost life.  Those who are trapped by generational poverty, who daily struggle to provide rudimentary food and shelter, do not have the luxury of waiting for another year or even another day.