Hoping for a brighter future. Pic: Aye Zaw Myo

“THEY usually feel down-hearted and dejected. They never look at anyone with confidence, their disposition and behaviour is different from normal children,” exclaimed Daw Phyu Phyu Oo, Principal of Parami Parahita or Joshua Orphanage Centre.

The centre was started by Daw Phyu Phyu Oo when she took in two orphans. In the last seven years, that number has increased to 30 and so has Daw Phyu Phyu Oo’s commitment.

Daw Phyu Phyu Oo and five other volunteer helpers have a huge job taking care of the children, not only providing them with food and shelter but also desperately needed love.

The tragedy of losing ones parents is one that Daw Phyu Phyu Oo knows well. “At the time my mother passed away, my two younger brothers, sister and I were left by ourselves as our father ran away to marry again. Despite being the oldest I could not take care of them because I had my own family responsibilities with my new husband. My siblings came to me at times for help and every time they visited they cried about mother and the breakup of our family.” Having seen the emotional rollercoaster of orphan life in her own family, she understands the children’s struggle.

She lives at the orphanage with the children and at present looks after, or takes care of, their education, health, food, clothing and shelter. It is a great responsibility but one she has assumed for their welfare.

“My children often have problems at school, they are occasionally bullied and come back home in tears. They sometimes feel inferior as they do not have much self-assurance or confidence — they feel inferior. They often feel they are not as important as other people,” says Daw Phyu Phyu Oo.

The age of the orphans’ ranges from three to 16 years and those of school age attend government schools. Part of Daw Phyu Phyu Oo’s role is to reassure the children that they are doing well and if they pursue study, real opportunities will present themselves.

The daily challenge of running the orphanage is coupled with the problem of securing finance. The estimated 162 orphanages in Myanmar rely mainly on donations from the public to operate. Married to a pastor, Daw Phyu Phyu Oo secures most of Parami Parahita’s funding through the church.

Devoting herself to 20 orphans at the West Kamarkasit orphanage, Dalah Township, Daw Lei Lei Win has worked by herself since the death of her husband, tirelessly helping the orphans in her care.

“I try and keep them motivated and busy. If they keep focussed they grieve less about their parents. To the best of my ability I try and replace the role of their mother,” she said.

Myo Zaw Khine, a volunteer teacher at Mingalar Parahita orphanage, agreed with Daw Phyu Phyu Oo’s comments about the children’s confidence. He said that as a teacher she notices that compared to normal children they often have a greater sense of fear and often seclude themselves from the other children.

The orphanage, which houses around 250 children, is always looking for more teachers and carers. It is a job that Myo Zaw Khine cherishes. “Teaching these children is an amazing experience. I hope it is something special that I give to them.”

A tough start in life, orphans may face many challenges in their childhood. But thanks to caring and committed volunteers across Myanamar, they can still have hope. Hope that one day they can become confident members of society.