|
Background
Myanmar (formerly Burma) is one of South-East Asia’s largest and most diverse countries. It is a resource-rich nation, but also suffers from widespread poverty and vulnerability. It has been under military rule since the 1960s. World Vision Australia began working with the people of Myanmar in 1999. Some of our current projects address post-tsunami needs, but the majority focus on long-term community development. World Vision Australia currently funds 15 projects in Myanmar:
- Three child sponsorship projects
- Three tsunami-related projects
- One project co-funded by AusAID, the Australian Government’s overseas aid agency, and Australian donors
- Two projects supported by the Smiles Gift Catalogue
- Six projects funded by Australian donors
A brief description of two of the projects World Vision Australia supports:
Rainforest Area Development Programme
Still in its early stages, this child sponsorship project focuses primarily on health and education. Because HIV/AIDS is widespread in the area, HIV/AIDS awareness and education takes high priority. Plans are underway to start a small loans scheme to help community members start or expand small businesses.
Community development volunteers are vital in co-ordinating project activities and getting people involved. For example, they help organise meetings for people to learn about health issues, encourage parents to have their children immunised and monitor children’s weight to identify malnourished children.
The project also assists the community by:
- providing materials for constructing new school facilities, plus equipment for existing schools, such as new desks
- training farmers in agricultural skills.
Hidden Lives, Hidden Voices
Street and working children are particularly vulnerable to illness and exploitation and find it difficult to access education and health services.
Hidden Lives, Hidden Voices aims to increase the quality of life for vulnerable children, and to reduce the number of street and working children living in especially difficult circumstances. The project has established outreach and drop-in centres to care for children, and also works with other community agencies to increase the quality of care available.
Services vary depending on the children’s needs, but may include meals, shelter, bathing and washing facilities, clothing, hygiene equipment, emergency health support and regular health-check ups, plus all the resources needed for daily living. Children also receive support to attend formal or non-formal education and the centres run social and recreational activities.
Another important part of the project is raising awareness of children’s rights, and advocating for vulnerable children’s needs to the Myanmar authorities and government departments.
This project is funded under the AusAID-NGO Cooperation Program, in which the Australian Government provides 75% of funds and public donations provide 25%.
Note: Other World Vision projects in Myanmar are funded by World Vision offices in other countries. The above information only relates to projects funded by World Vision Australia.
Updated May 2006
|
