Spotlight: Youngsters mature ahead of their years

[Zomi for Federalization and Democratization of Burma]

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The Brutal, Corrupt, Lawless, Uneducated Lieutenant General Tin Aye
does not know that Zomis exist in this world. Zomis are indigenous to
Burma, and Pu Thawng Za Khup, one of their Chiefs (Ukpis), was
signatory to the historic Panglong Agreement.

Nga Than Shwe and his disciples caused a flood of refugees from Burma
to other countries. Nga Than Shwe and his Brutal Bamar Buddhist
Fascist Mercenary Terrorist Rapist Government oppressed, suppressed,
and repressed Zomis and their language. The BBBFMTR Government tried
to annihilate indigenous races from off the face of the earth.
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24 May 2012 | Last updated at 08:33AM

Spotlight: Youngsters mature ahead of their years



LUCY and Grace, both 15, are two refugees from Myanmar who teach at
the Zomi Education Centre (ZEC) in Cheras.
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Photo:
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Lucy hopes to become a dentist and dreams of going back to her country
to practise
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Both girls went to school in Myanmar before their families were forced
to flee.

Lucy's father works in a factory. Her mother died in Myanmar.

Grace lost both her parents in Myanmar and her siblings are being
cared for by her 20-year old sister.

Despite their meagre surroundings, Lucy and Grace were sent to this
learning centre along with their siblings. When their teachers
realised how bright they were, they recommended that the girls teach
the younger children.

"We thought it would be good to help the children in our community and
ease the burden of our teachers," said Grace.

It has been three months now since the girls started teaching in the
mornings, and attend classes in the afternoons. They both teach
English, Mathematics, Science and Zomi language to their class of 7-
year-olds.

"It is easy teaching them. They listen and learn well," Lucy said.

"Sometimes, they want to just play and once in a while, we let them,"
quipped Grace.

They have also attended a computer course and have high ambitions,
with Lucy hoping to become a doctor and Grace, a scientist.

"We also like teaching and will continue doing it," they said, adding
that it was their hope that they would be able to go back to Myanmar
to realise their dreams.

ZEC coordinator Khampi said Grace and Lucy were remarkable students as
they only picked up English when they came to Malaysia.

The ZEC has five other learning centres and are part of the Zomi
Association of Malaysia.

Khampi, who himself is a refugee, said the need to set up these
education centres was overwhelming.

"No one knows how long we will be here or when we can go back to our
country. The children must have basic education so that they don't get
left out," he added.

The ZEC centre in Cheras, he said, was started in 2009 with about 40
students. Now the centre has about 100 students and a hostel to board
some of them.

The learning centre, which cater to children from the ages of three to
16, collects RM30 for classes and RM100 for boarding from parents who
can afford it.

Khampi said volunteer teachers, individuals and a few organisations
had helped tremendously in running the centres.

"Our monthly rental is being paid by one of the teachers and before
that, the Tzu Chi Foundation and the Czech Embassy had helped."

Read more: Spotlight: Youngsters mature ahead of their years - General
- New Straits Times
http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/spotlight-youngsters-mature-ahead-of-their-years-1.87057#ixzz1vpRp6kUa



http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/spotlight-youngsters-mature-ahead-of-their-years-1.87057

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