KUALA LUMPUR: When Myanmar refugee Jonathan Tanhla (pic)
started giving lessons to five refugee children four years ago, little
did he know that his little grouping would soon grow into a school of
over 100 kids.
“Their parents mostly work all day at restaurants
and retail stores, while others are based in faraway places like Cameron
Highlands. Hence, they have little time to take care of their children.
“My
wife and I would teach these children basic English, Mathematics and
Science. These are very important school subjects that will prepare them
for the working life when they grow up,” he said in an interview.
Tanhla,
35, is a pastor and university graduate who speaks fluent English. He
and his wife Grace Tandar started out at their tiny flat in Jalan Imbi.
Today, the couple have 107 children at their United Learning Centre in a rented bungalow nearby.
The couple are assisted by 15 volunteer teachers. Ten of them are Malay-sians.
The students, aged between four and 16, are also taught Art and Bahasa Malaysia.
Tanhla said the school is open to all children from Myanmar.
“It
does not matter if they are Christian, Buddhist or Muslim, because this
is a place for education. That is why I named it the United Learning
Centre,” he added.
Tanhla said more than 100,000 Myanmar
nationals have fled persecution in their country and sought refuge in
Malaysia. But, it is not all rosy for them while here as they face
employment difficulties.
That is why Tanhla left Myanmar in 2006 in a mission to help his people.
“As a person of Chin ethnicity, the majority of whom are Christians, we face discrimination and persecution in our country.
“Many of us were forced to flee our homeland. We still find it hard to make a living,” he added.
While
he still harbours the dream of seeing his people return to Myanmar,
Tanhla admitted that it would not occur soon unless a major change
happens in Myanmar.
The Star
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