Mobile school for Myanmar kids

Safe school: The cabin that will be converted into a school for Myanmar’s cyclone victims.

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/11/15/central/2500806&sec=central

Story and photos by STUART MICHAEL


A Malaysian company that makes portable cabins has stepped forward to give child survivors of Myanmar’s Cyclone Nargis a chance for formal learning again.

As part of its commitment to education for children, VBM Distributors Sdn Bhd has donated an Expandable Mobile School (EMS) unit worth RM222,500 to Unicef recently.



The donation is in support of Unicef’s efforts to create child-friendly spaces that can serve as a makeshift school for children affected by the devastating cyclone which hit Myanmar in May this year.

Unicef Malaysia Advocacy and Policy specialist Dr Rudi Luchmann said reopening the damaged schools could do more harm than good to the children.

“This is why Unicef welcomes VBM Distributor’s mobile school unit.

“If these children can’t come to the school, we plan on taking the school to the students. This gift offers children who have suffered so much a safe environment to learn and play.”

“The devastation of Nargis has left so many children physically and emotionally traumatised by what has happened.

“Going back to school is therefore a crucial part of their recovery process because it helps them establish a sense of normality and support, while at the same time assists them in overcoming their distress.


It’s official: Mohd Yusof (second from right) presenting a mock key for the cabin to Hishammuddin (right). Looking on are (from left) VBM Distributors managing director Lam Kay Wah and Dr Rudi Luchmann.

“Most importantly, schools allow children to just be children again,” added Dr Luchmann.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein launched the event.


VBM Distributors chairman Mohd Yusof Isa said the company wanted to work with an established and respected humanitarian agency skilled in providing education to children in difficult situations. Unicef’s 60 years of experience in emergency work speaks for itself.

The mobile school unit consists of a classroom which can fit up to 40 students, a canteen for safe preparation of food as well as separate toilets for boys and girls.

The unit can be expanded to form more classrooms if necessary.

The easy-to-set-up school is also fire and water resistant and includes safety features that protect against natural disasters such as earthquakes.

The unit will be transported to the Unicef office in Myanmar where the necessary arrangements for its setup will be made.

The school will complement a range of other services provided by Unicef to get children back to learning.

These include the distribution of over 230,000 essential learning packages to primary schoolchildren in 1,427 schools, installation of 435 safe temporary learning spaces benefiting 43,000 students and supporting the repair of 919 damaged schools in affected areas.

More than 18,500 children are also now benefiting from psycho- social activities in 104 Child Friendly Spaces.