A Community Driven Vision in Myanmar
Building Hope Through Preschool Education: A Community-Driven Vision in Myanmar
In a country like Myanmar, where education is often a privilege rather than a right, the challenges faced by underprivileged children remain immense. Across urban and rural communities, countless youths grow up without adequate access to educational facilities, supportive learning environments, or the basic resources needed to succeed. This gap becomes even more evident when it comes to after-school tuition, enrichment programs, and early childhood education—vital developmental stages that too often go unsupported. For orphaned and vulnerable children, the situation is even more dire. Many are left behind, not because they lack intelligence or ambition, but simply because the tools and opportunities to advance their education are not within reach. In such an environment, any effort to establish meaningful, grassroots educational initiatives stands not only as an act of service—but as a symbol of hope.
As we come to the close of another remarkable year, I reflect with deep gratitude on the incredible milestones the Mary K. Yap Foundation has achieved. After a decade of careful planning, our charity film project—born from a vision to elevate unheard voices—came to life with a nationwide theatrical release this December across 65 cinemas in Myanmar. For more than 1,300 orphaned children, representing over 23 orphanages across the country, this was not just a movie screening—it was their very first experience in a movie theater. This unforgettable moment was made possible through our Partners of Hope project, generously supported by our B2B partners and the special individuals who stepped up to ensure these children could experience the wonder of cinema for the very first time.
“I do this because I believe no child should be defined by their circumstances. They deserve a fair start, a nurturing place to dream, learn, and imagine a better future.” Ms. Deborah Kim
With undivided commitment, she and her husband have laid the groundwork to welcome up to 60 children into the preschool by July 2025. Her efforts represent more than just bricks and mortar—they embody compassion, resilience, and the belief that education can unlock futures.
Such noble endeavors do not succeed in isolation. The path to a brighter future for Myanmar’s children must be paved through shared responsibility—by uniting the public and private sectors, civil society, and individuals with a shared vision. When communities come together to support initiatives like the Alpha Educational Center, they invest in more than a building—they invest in lives, futures, and lasting change. Whether through donations, volunteerism, resource-sharing, or advocacy, there are countless ways for supporters to stand alongside Ma Deborah in making free, quality education accessible to children who need it most. It is through these collaborative acts of solidarity that true, sustainable impact can take root.
At the Mary K. Yap Foundation, we believe in the power of partnerships to create meaningful, long-term change. Our Educational Program initiatives (#Each1TeachOne, #H.S.Diploma, #Road2Digital) were built on the same principles that guide Ma Deborah’s vision—compassion, equity, and innovation. By working hand-in-hand with changemakers like her and other community-run orphanages across Myanmar, we aim to establish digital learning spaces that offer children a gateway to opportunity. From basic computer skills and digital literacy to language learning and virtual storytelling, our Learning Centers are designed to introduce orphaned and vulnerable children to a world beyond their immediate environment, especially for those who have never touched a keyboard or seen a computer screen. Together with pioneers like Ma Deborah Kim, we are building not only classrooms but pathways to a brighter, more empowered future for children from disadvantaged communities.
