Kawpan Lan Education Centre
February 18, 2017
The wide open, flat land is poor with little vegetation
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Kawpan Lan is a village of approximately 1000 people, about 100 Km north of Kawkareik, Kayen State, Myanmar. It is one of about 10 villages situated on a wide, open delta which has poor, gray soil and little vegetation. The only means of earning a living is farming, mostly rice.
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The school gives education from Grades 5 to 10
KAWPAN LAN MONASTIC EDUCATION CENTRE is responsible for 548 students. 140 students Kindergarten to Grade 4 attend classes in small schools in the surrounding villages. 380 students from distant villages live full time to attend Grades 5 to 10 at the Education Centre. 28 students from nearby villages come daily to the Education Centre.
A Buddhist monk noticed the large number of children living in squalid conditions, some without parents, most not receiving any education, in an area north of Kawkareik. He was the Abbot at the Buddhist monastery in Kawpan Lan village. His sister was a Buddhist nun in Kawpan Lan (KPL). Their family had some land in the village. The Abbot and his nun sister found some use for it.
The family donated the land to be the site of a Monastic Education Centre. The Abbot began the Education Centre in 2008. Children from Kawpan Lan and surrounding villages could come to the Centre for a safe, free education. Other children were brought from distant villages to the new school to live there and get an education. For the children who were orphans, the school became their permanent home. All children received a free education, and boarding students lived there at no cost to them.
But, they all had responsibilities, duties, chores, and collectively helped the school function effectively.
A Buddhist monk noticed the large number of children living in squalid conditions, some without parents, most not receiving any education, in an area north of Kawkareik. He was the Abbot at the Buddhist monastery in Kawpan Lan village. His sister was a Buddhist nun in Kawpan Lan (KPL). Their family had some land in the village. The Abbot and his nun sister found some use for it.
The family donated the land to be the site of a Monastic Education Centre. The Abbot began the Education Centre in 2008. Children from Kawpan Lan and surrounding villages could come to the Centre for a safe, free education. Other children were brought from distant villages to the new school to live there and get an education. For the children who were orphans, the school became their permanent home. All children received a free education, and boarding students lived there at no cost to them.
But, they all had responsibilities, duties, chores, and collectively helped the school function effectively.
Young boy draws water at the well for the orphan’s kitchen
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Older boys saw logs for the fire that cooks rice 3 times a day
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Sayathaw, the Abbot Khemasara
This Education Centre is a beautiful place, quiet, peaceful, serene. It is enclosed and sheltered by many, many trees, many of them very old and grand, providing a comforting embrace to everyone there.
Freedom. Caring. Sharing.
The Buddhist Abbot is the head of the Education Centre. As such, he is referred to as “SAYATHAW” which means (religious) “Father” (as in Christian Priest), or “Big Teacher”, or “Head Monk”. He spends much of his time travelling the countryside to gather support for the Education Centre, collecting funds, getting large donations of food, clothes and other necessities.
Freedom. Caring. Sharing.
The Buddhist Abbot is the head of the Education Centre. As such, he is referred to as “SAYATHAW” which means (religious) “Father” (as in Christian Priest), or “Big Teacher”, or “Head Monk”. He spends much of his time travelling the countryside to gather support for the Education Centre, collecting funds, getting large donations of food, clothes and other necessities.