A child labourer struggle to access education

School is my path to a better future

I am so happy to be able to attend the non-formal education class supported by ChildFund Myanmar. I learn Myanmar, English, mathematics and other subjects. I think I have learnt a lot. I attend five days a week from 9am to 12pm.

Sometimes, when the sales of water spinach are not good, I have to keep going and I get to class very late.

I worry about my sister throughout the day

I feel happy and at the same time I feel sad to go to the class. I feel sad because I don’t feel confident leaving my little sister alone.

In the morning, I leave my sister in the care of people I know before I set off to sell water spinach. I try to keep an eye on her the whole day.

I teach the Myanmar alphabet, English alphabet and maths to my sister.

What school means to me

I think education is important. When I was able to go to school, I thought about leaving school. When I could no longer go to school, I had a desire to go to school all the time.

Sometimes I feel sad to see other children going to school in their uniforms.

I want to study again in state school and I try my best in class. If my teacher asks me to write one page, I might write about three pages.

I want to study up to university level.

If I didn’t get to study, my world would be sunk in the mud. That’s why I am attending the class.

I am worried about our livelihood. I want to work in agriculture when I grow up. I want to plant the trees and I want to help my father earn more money.

*Name has been changed