“Education…”

And it was in northern Thailand that founding BEST trustees learnt first hand about Burmese refugees’ terrible experiences and the hopes they have for a democratic future in Burma, against all odds. They spent their placements working with international relief agencies in refugee schools and community organisations – working both along the Thai border and inside Burma’s conflict areas – supporting young people with the development education, leadership skills training and academic qualifications needed to rebuild their country.

Some refugee schools provide an intensive foundation course which equips students for university entry. So far, these have had some success but the key to these programmes is the commitment of the students which is “very humbling”, whatever their educational background. An innovative community based Teacher Training Programme has achieved great results, working with teachers from refugee camps and from inside Burma, who return as peer educators in their schools.