The Education for Friendship Foundation is a registered Thai charity in that supports primary and secondary education for children of Burmese (Myanmar) refugees and migrant workers on the Thai/Myanmar border. Our programs are funded by international donors, such as the Child’s Dream Foundation, as well as by our former teachers and supporters from abroad.
EFF Objectives
- To support and educate migrant students;
- To promote understanding of Thai law, language and culture to migrant students;
- To encourage good relations between migrants and Thai people;
EFF Programs
EFF in support of Education Village
The Education Village (EV)
Education Village is a project led by EFF to provide essential educational opportunities for migrant youth along the Thai-Myanmar border. As the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar worsens, more families are seeking refuge in Thailand, creating an urgent need for safe, stable educational environments for migrant children.
In July 2024, Phase 1 of the project was completed with the relocation of the BHSOH Migrant Learning Centre (MLC) to the Education Village in Mae Sot. This phase was marked by a formal opening ceremony for both the Education Village and the relocated BHSOH (MLC). This center serves as a beacon of hope for over 580 migrant children, who are part of a larger group of more than 10,000 migrant children spread across 63 Migrant Learning Centres (MLCs) along the Thai border.
Phase 2 of Education Village is now underway, focusing on the relocation of the Minmahaw program, including the Minmahaw Higher Education Program (MHEP) and Minmahaw School/Post-Secondary Program (MS), with construction expected to begin soon.
EFF is grateful to its donors and to Child’s Dream, which has played a vital role in facilitating fundraising efforts and providing the land for the project. Special thanks go to the PD Foundation for their generous contributions to the BHSOH (MLC). EFF also acknowledges the continued support of local Thai authorities, whose cooperation has been crucial to the project’s success.
Updated on September 2024
BHSOH Relocation 2024
The Education Village is currently being built on a large plot of land owned by Child’s Dream, thanks to the generous support of the PD Foundation. With this investment we can effectively respond to the current needs, provide a safe and conducive learning environment and build a strong relationship between the migrant community and its Thai host community.
The Education Village is a beacon of hope for many families fleeing instability in Myanmar.
The opening of the BHSOH Migrant Learning Centre at the Education Village is not just a new beginning for the students but a powerful reminder of the impact of collective efforts in creating a better future for all.