November 8, 2015

Dear Friend of Cetana:

Do you believe that education is a right every child deserves?

Education, with emphasis on English language training, is what Cetana is all about—and has been about for over 20 years. Cetana needs your financial support to help the youth of Myanmar. Your contribution may be the only hope these young people have for advanced education and a promising future.

For decades Myanmar has been beset by political repression, violence, economic exploitation, and poverty. The educational system, once the best in Asia, has fallen into dysfunction. The country’s youth deserve better. The time has come when they, like our children, can develop their talents, improve their living conditions, serve their communities and, eventually, help build a foundation for peace in their country.

With today’s election, tentative steps toward democracy continue. Another key to democratic reform, especially for a country that has been isolated for so long, is the ability to participate in the world community. With a national language that is not understood elsewhere, plus 135 ethnic languages and dialects, the English language is the path to the international community. English proficiency provides educational opportunities, access to print and electronic publications, and conversation with the world. Coupled with the ability to think critically (as opposed to rote learning and thinking), English fluency is essential for progress toward a revitalized civil society.

You can help make progress happen by supporting Cetana’s work with a contribution today. Our learning centers serve students of meager to modest means, from seven year olds to young adults. Your gift will
—enable them to learn English and develop critical thinking skills
—give them the precious books that they have yearned to read and access to computer technology
—prepare them for participation in a new democratic Myanmar 
—provide supplemental scholarships for advanced study abroad

Cetana learning centers are now filled with young learners whose future will be brighter because of you. We owe this generation a chance. Please make a donation to our Annual Appeal today.

Sincerely,

Chenault Spence, President of the Cetana Board

CETANA GRADUATES - SUCCESS STORIES

Aung Myat had a bachelor’s degree in electrical power engineering when he realized he needed proficiency in the English language to find employment. He took English classes at Cetana’s English Learning Proficiency Center and then applied for a Cetana scholarship to study at the Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok. With Cetana’s scholarship he obtained his master’s degree in renewable energy. He now works for Schlumberger and is fulfilling his dream of working on rural electrification. Electricity is essential to Myanmar’s development, especially in rural areas. “With the knowledge that I have gained from my study of English and renewable energy, I want to be one of my country’s building blocks,” Aung Myat states.

Cherry Myo Lwin was able to study for a master’s degree in engineering from the Asian Institute of Technology with a Cetana scholarship. She then earned a Ph.D. in civil engineering at Nagoya University in Japan. She will teach at the Yangon Technological University and assist in starting a program in environmental engineering. She is also providing support for an education project in Lelu village, Bago Region. “I want to see my country use its human capital, and I want to see our youth, who are so full of hope, able to work and live in their own country.” To Cetana donors she asks, “Please stand by Myanmar youth. We need you.”

Khin Hnin Phyu studied at the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand on a Cetana scholarship. A native of Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State, a site of frequent armed conflict, she has worked on several humanitarian and community development issues since obtaining her degree. She has worked on a community forestry development project, with CAREMyanmar, on HIV/AIDS and women’s issues, and on an emergency aid program in Kachin State with the United Nations World Food program. Currently she works for the Livelihood and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT), which operates under the umbrella of the United Nations Office for Project Service. She directs funding for several projects across the country, including agricultural initiatives and economic empowerment projects for women. Khin Hnin Phyu maintains that "Because of Cetana my life has changed, as well as the way I look at the world. I understand what the bigger picture means. When we discuss the situation of our country, I have a better understanding of what it takes to bring about change. I thank Cetana everyday for giving me the opportunity to be part of this change."

NP Brang San Awng was born in Myitkyina in the northern state of Kachin. When he was just 16 he traveled alone to Yangon to study at CEPC. With a CEPC scholarship, he mastered English and was accepted in the Myanmar Institute of Theology’s B.A. program, from which he graduated in 2014. On his vacation he returned to work with a mobile library in the Kachin State and taught Kachin who settled in Thailand. An advanced class at the Cetana Academy prepared him for study abroad. After obtaining a Master’s Degree from Assumption University of Thailand, he plans to return to teach among his Kachin people. Brang San Awng says, “CEPC is the bridge that makes its students be able to achieve their goals.”

Htike Chit Su arrived in Yangon from northern Myanmar with only elementary-level English. Without a career goal in mind, she studied English at Cetana’s English Proficiency Center (CEPC) for over a year, then worked at the center as an administrative assistant before moving on to her current position as an officer for an international consulting company.  She currently works on a hydropower project. Often called upon to translate, her English skills are essential to her work. Without English and the career skills she learned at Cetana she believes that her employment options would have been limited. She says, “I am very proud to be a Cetana alumna and grateful to Cetana’s teachers and donors.”

Thay That Zin is a third grade student and star in her English classes at the government school in Kyaing Tong.  Her English comprehension and fluency are aided by participation in Young Learners weekend and holiday classes at our Kyaing Tong Learning Center.  Recently Thay That Zin won a nationwide English language vocabulary contest in Naypyidaw, Myanmar’s capital.  Our Young Learners program starts in the second grade and continues through high school.  By graduation time students are expected to be fully fluent in English.

Kyaw Oo was an early recipient of a Cetana scholarship to study forestry and sustainable farming.  He chose to attend Assumption University in Thailand rather than a school in the US, saying “Trees in Thailand are more like trees in Myanmar than those in Minnesota.” After receiving his advanced degree he worked with village farmers in Kachin State to learn the scientific basis for sustainable farming methods that have been used for generations so they can be replicated. Currently he is working on a sustainable forestry project in southern Chin State and is a consultant to the Forestry Service in Naypyidaw.

Kyaw Oo continues his allegiance to Cetana, arranging for books and programming for two village libraries, in Kin Ywar and Taung Zun, in Mon State near his home. Centre College in Danville, Kentucky has generously provided books for the libraries.  A program for a visiting English teacher to work with students and teachers in the villages is being planned and awaits funding.