Building the Children's Future through Child Friendly Space

Daw Oo Saw Nwe (37) is a teacher who works at the child friendly space in Ywar Ma Ni village, Myauk U Township, Rakhine State. Ywar Ma Ni village is located 5 miles away from Myauk U and has 220 households with a population of 1,230. 10 households among them were displaced by ethnic and religious conflicts.

As most families struggle for daily food as farm laborers, supporting their children in higher education is a big challenge. Sometime they have to take their children to work, causing them to miss out on their education.

Regarding with these challenges, Daw Oo Saw Nwe shared, “Before LWF Myanmar came here, we had to pay a monthly fee to send our children to the pre-school. Some poor families faced difficulties to pay. If a parent left their children at home, they worried all the time because of their children playing where they shouldn't and getting into trouble or injured. Once, one of the children was kicked by a cow while the parents were away at work.”

In 2015, LWF Myanmar provided (67) lakhs (5,000 USD) to construct a "child friendly space" (18ft x 36ft). The construction was finished in February, 2016. The space is now bringing many changes in the village. 

“After we have got the new Child Friendly Space, all parents didn’t need to worry any more. They can go to work without concern. As the children have already joined the program, their educational results in primary school have improved. Moreover, they got good practice in team work, building relationship between children, respecting each other and training in morality as well. Thank you so much LWF Myanmar for generously supporting to our community” happily concluded Daw Oo Saw Nwe.

In 2016, LWF Myanmar supported a total of 20 Child Friendly Spaces for internally displaced children in 5 camps of Sittwe and Pauktaw Townships and 4 villages of Mrauk U Township, in Rakhine State. Totally, 1,959 children under five years old (44% girls) were benefited through the program. LWF Myanmar hired and trained 52 Community Teachers (65% are female) for 20 CFSs in cooperation witt the State Education Department Periodic repairs are done to ensure that the structures are safe, child friendly, disability friendly, and waterproof. Each TLS is equipped with a first aid kit, learning materials, games and toys and safe drinking water facilities. They are replenished as necessary.

There are 3 LWF trained CFS Animators to support the children in each CFS. To understand the psychological situation of IDP Children, Animators receive 3-days community based training on psychosocial first aid and child protection. Refresher training is organized at least once a year.