Ei Thar Khar, Teacher

Ei Thar Khar is a teacher at UWS Naung Nwe in Myanmar. In an interview, he told us about the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic to himself, the village and the students. Date of interview – 12 Jun 2020

My name is Ei Thar Khar. I’m 25 years old and I live in Naung Nwe village. I am married and have two kids (girls). The elder is attending G-1 and the younger is in KG this year. I have been working with UWS for one year. I am teaching students with all my ability. On holidays, I spend time with my family, herding our 2 cows and feeding pigs.

Although there are no covid-19 cases or big challenges in my village, we are facing some issues such as commodity price doubling, and day laborers have lost their work for two months because of the pandemic. In April and May, trees were cut down to block the paths so that the villages were locked down and villagers were banned from traveling.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, I told stories to students, making 4 students in a group and separating each student by 6 feet. I have been taught ways of preventing Covid-19 well by UWS staff using voice messages. However, it is difficult to practice hand washing and social distancing 6-feet. As an advantage of teaching wellbeing to students and parenting to parents, I realize that I am becoming more patient with students. I have also noticed that several mothers are getting used to washing hands for 20-second together with their kids and distancing 6-feet apart.

Moreover, even we who live in remote areas are well informed about updated information regarding education, health and development by United World Schools. I appreciate your effort to provide basins and tanks for wash facilities, and I would like to say thank you to UWS on behalf of my villagers.

I will be continuing to teach and share information on health and knowledge to students and villagers.