In November 2019, Peach launched its sponsorship program in Myanmar. Myanmar is the poorest country among the ten countries in Southeast Asia. Myanmar’s living standard is equivalent to China’s in the 70s, with a per capita income of $1300 USD. In a village we visited, among the three hundred households, only two had electricity. Poverty affects everyone and every household.

In 2021, people’s lives in Myanmar were in dire straits, due to the severe pandemics and military coup. People were constantly in danger of either virus infection or bombings. Many have fled their homes. Schools and orphanages could not operate. Daily meals and survival became the biggest challenge. “Half of the Myanmar’s population have fallen into poverty”, according to UN report on International Humanitarian Needs.

The candidates for sponsorship will be nominated by teachers from the local Chinese schools and orphanages. The candidates are expected to have good academic standing. The sponsorship is open to all races and ethnicity. Peach will provide scholarships of $150 USD per annum to students in junior high school, and $300 to students in senior high school. Peach will also provide interest-free loans to college students.

Peach works with Chit Myit Tar Foundation to support 20 Myanmar schools’ students in the areas of Lashio, Ayeyarwady and Bago.

The students commute to schools every day because the local schools have no boarding facilities. As seen in the photos below, the village houses are built with materials of bamboo, wood plank, and straw. The house was constructed with bamboo as its frame. The floor consists of wood planks of different sizes and shapes. The bed is a straw sheet. The roof and walls are thatched with straws and covered with plastics to block the gaping holes. There is no proper word to describe their living condition. A pot, and a blanket. Those are all their possessions. Food is often limited at school. The children live on plant leaves and on the occasional foods their parents can bring to them.

Peach focuses on 4 programming aspects.

1) Granting scholarships to elite yet poor students

2) Supporting a “bowl of rice” fund

3) Donating water purifiers to schools in Lashio

4) Donating books to orphanges in the region

100% of the funds raised from Givology will be used for (1) in the form of financial aid to support studnets in their pursuit of student in junior high, senior high, and college. Selection will be done in conjunction with teachers and Chit Myit Tar Foundation staff, with verification from Peach.