BACK TO SCHOOL 2026
From March to April providing uniforms, a backpack, stationary and more for AUD$50 per child. Helping those in great need, keeping children in school, giving them a future.
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandella
About Us
Myanmar has always been one of the poorest countries in SE Asia. The situation has further deteriorated due to the current economic and political instability in the country.
In 2025, the UN estimated that more than 19.9 million people need humanitarian assistance and an estimated 15.2 million people - nearly a third of Myanmar's population - are facing acute food insecurity in 2025. An estimate of income is elusive, but it is in the order of A$2.50 per day. ($US 1.62)
For nearly 20 years, support has been provided to the poverty-stricken children and families in Myanmar through Education, Community Projects and Emergency Aid - helping some of Myanmar’s poorest people through practical action, encouragement and words of hope.
What started as a grassroots effort in 2006 became Children and Charity Myanmar Inc., a registered Not-for-Profit, in 2013.
In August 2025 we partnered with Global Development Group Project J1260N and are now able to offer TAX DEDUCTIBILITY to our donors. At the same time, the name was changed to Hope for Myanmar to better reflect the expanding breadth of our work.
Our charity goals and Myanmar partners remain unchanged, but our operational structure has evolved.
Hope For Myanmar is proud to be a partner for Project J1260N Hope For Myanmar with Global Development Group (ABN 57 102 400 993)
Our Vision
Our shared vision is to break the cycle of poverty for some of the poorest people in Myanmar. People need an opportunity to change their lives.
The aim is to provide that opportunity through Education and Practical action - Community Projects and Emergency Aid - while bringing words of encouragement and future hope.
In the early 2000s, Thai and Gabriel from Myanmar, and Lawrence and Pat from Australia formed a partnership to support Myanmar's poor. There was a shared vision to bring hope in word and deed to the poor.
What started as a grassroots collaboration nearly 20 years ago, grew to become a Not-For-Profit (Children and Charity Myanmar Inc). Since August 2025 we have become a Tax-deductible charity, Hope for Myanmar.
Lives have been changed over these twenty years. With a focus on preschool education and supporting these children through their later schooling many have been given opportunities that they were very unlikely to ever receive.
Community projects have improved the quality of life for these children and their families through medical, housing, water filters, sanitation and food. And just as important Thai and Gabriel (now deceased) through their loving concern and sacrifice have brought hope into the lives of these children and families.
When Covid struck the country was plunged into chaos as employment opportunities disappeared as overseas companies closed their factories and many people died due to the lack of available medical resources.
As Covid ended and recovery slowly began, the country was plunged into further turmoil because of a military coup which still continues today. Living standards have plummeted while poverty has soared. And hope is in very short supply.
Thai’s work, Future Stars Preschool, remains our major project in Myanmar. However, since 2020, we have expanded our partners to include others who have proven themselves through their sacrifice and dedication to bring hope and practical help to the poor.
Over the last 20 years many from Australia have joined the team. I think particularly of Jim and Jenifer Johnston who set up the first Not-For-Profit in 2013, all of the board members who have served faithfully, Entrust Foundation Australia and all of the individual donors who have made possible the work in Myanmar – changing lives, making a difference.
It is impossible to do this job alone. BUT TOGETHER we can MAKE A DIFFERENCE! By bringing a message of hope and practical help.
With Thai’s background in education, community projects and pastoral ministry, my background in secondary education, pastoral ministry and business and Pat's in Social Work, University lecturing and business Hope For Myanmar remains committed to Making a Difference to people's lives by bringing Hope in both Word and Deed.
Will you join us? Making a Difference?
Even if only for a season?
Much remains to be done.
HOPE FOR MYANMAR PARTNER PROJECTS
Future Stars PreSchool
The Future Stars Pre School is our original and ongoing project.
An annual budget of A$30,000 supports preschool education for 55 children from disadvantaged communities.
It covers salaries for 6 teachers/ teacher aides and includes funding for Thai, our Preschool Director and Hope for Myanmar in-country project manager. Thai leads the relief efforts, and the preschool building provides a focal point for the community and relief distribution.
GOAL: For the preschool to become self-funding in the next 5 years. If the preschool continues to serve the poorest of the poor, student fees are not a potential source of self-funding.
Back To School Program (March Annual)
A$25,000 (2025) keeps 500 former preschool and other disadvantaged community students enrolled in further education through our Back-to-School Program.
The program provides uniforms, backpacks, stationary, writing materials and raincoat/umbrella.
The numbers increase yearly.
GOAL: March 2026 - 800 students supported though the Back 2 School program
Make a Difference - Ongoing Emergency Assistance
Since 2019, more than 150,000 people have received emergency food assistance in response to factors such as Covid-19, political instability, and economic hardship. This is an ever-increasing need.
In addition, medical aid, housing, and other forms of support are provided through our 4 local partners. Thai from the Future Stars Preschool (Yangon) is our in-country project manager.
Thai through our appeal facilitates food distribution to local communities near the preschool and others in need, as well as medical, housing and other assistance.
GOAL: $50,000 made available in 2025/2026 FY
Christmas Appeal (late Oct - Dec, Annual)
Starting in late October each year, funds are collected for:
CHRISTMAS BAG OF RICE: (2024 12 kg A$17) the goal is to supply families with a 12 kg bag of rice which will feed a family of 5 for approximately 1 week. Myanmar families are often large - 8 or more as there can be many children and/or a number of generations living in the same home.
A BAG OF HOPE: (2024 A$13) Many children are living in appalling situations - a small makeshift home of bamboo and tarps with no electricity or sanitation.
Some have never received a Christmas gift ever! At a time when hope and joy are in short supply, a small gift can make a difference to a child's life. Perhaps not your normal gift but it is still very much appreciated.
The bags include items such as inexpensive toys, hats, soap, crayons, snacks, toothbrushes, and other small gifts.
The 2024 Christmas Appeal raised 525 Christmas Bags of Rice and 192 Bags of Hope.
GOAL: 2025 Christmas Appeal - 700 Christmas Bags of Rice and 500 Bags of Hope.
Door of Hope
Door of Hope runs a weekly activity and meal program for over 100 children in a very poor community (Yangon) as well as an annual Christmas program for children and their families providing food and secondhand clothing and goods.
They have been operating in the community for over 10 years and are dearly loved by the people of that community. Because of the economic environment many children are leaving school at late primary to support their family. Their education is suffering.
The weekly program plays an important role for education, social activity, play, feeding and bringing hope into their lives.
GOAL: $A 7000 to install solar power and batteries at the property where the weekly program is held. It currently has no power. Power will be used for refrigeration of food, cooking as well as a large TV to show multimedia programs and power a PA system.
Myanmar Mission Network
Myanmar Mission Network is a network of interdenominational churches that provides support to each other. They are mostly located in semi-rural or rural areas.
Many pastors earn their living through self-employment (e.g. growing vegetables for sale, cutting hair, bike transport) while at the same time serving their communities.
Rural areas face greater isolation, higher poverty, limited education options and limited services. The network helps by sharing resources and offering encouragement.
Most funds go toward food for pastors, churches, and the communities in which they work. Assistance is provided to all in need, regardless of religion, race, or sex, as resources allow.
Funds are allocated within the network through consensus, based on the assessed needs of different groups at a given time.
GOAL: To purchase rice fields as they become available to grow food for Hope For Myanmar projects. Recently 12 acres of rice fields sold for approximately A$2000.
Pastor Phoebe and Glory Church
Pastor Pheobe (Glory Church) works in a poverty stricken, semi-rural area supporting people with food assistance and hope. The community is located on the outskirts of Yangon.
Phoebe provides support to the local community including children's programs, food assistance and encouragement. She also cares for a number of children in her own home.
Funds are provided to partially cover living and medical expenses so that this work can continue.
Tedim Christian College
Tedim Christian College (TCC) is a Baptist College located in Yangon.
As well as offering theological degrees M.Div, B.Th, and Dip.Th degrees, preparing candidates for church ministry it also offers courses in the School of Management and Administration (SOMA), the School of Social Work (SOSW), and the School of Music (SOM). These prepare students for community development and aid work.
TCC has also opened the School of GED, which offers a High School Diploma course to help students who were unable to complete high school due to the pandemic and political situation. This Liberal Arts program enrolls students from diverse faiths and ethnic backgrounds every year.
Hope For Myanmar send books for their academic library to help maintain their ongoing college accreditation.
GOALS: Funds
feed current students and staff
to send more books to Myanmar. Current cost is A$25/kg.
to purchase and send laptops to Myanmar for use in their digital library
for additional furniture for their library
Christmas Appeal 2025
View the 2025 Appeal Details
Donate at GDG Australia - J1260N Hope for Myanmar
Our Team
Lawrence Dorsett
Australian Team Leader
Pat Dorsett
Australian Team Leader
Thai Vang
Myanmar Project Manager
Mung and Ciim - Door of Hope
Myanmar Partner
Anna and Saun - Myanmar Mission Network
Myanmar Partner
Phoebe - Glory Church
Myanmar Partner
Piang & Cingsian -Tedim Christian College
Myanmar Partner
Frequently Asked Questions
All donations (tax deductible) received are managed by Global development Group to comply with the Australian Government ACNC requirements. Global Development Group retains 7.5% of all donations as an administration fee, which is very low figure within the charity sector.
The Australian HOPE FOR MYANMAR leadership team and volunteers cover all personal and travel expenses and do not receive financial benefit from their roles.
The Myanmar Project Manager for HOPE FOR MYANMAR receives a salary as part of the Future Stars Preschool as director of the Preschool. In addition, the Myanmar Project Manager for HOPE FOR MYANMAR receives and facilitates the distribution of the funds in Myanmar. The Myanmar Project Manager also facilitates the distribution of Relief funds for our partners.
One of the partners, receives partial funding to assist with food and medication for her and the children under her care.
All other partners are self-funding and all donations from Hope to Myanmar go to the projects that they lead.
Our first financial priority is the Future Stars preschool funding as it pays the Project managers salary. No food or help can be distributed without someone to do it.
Every effort will be made to ensure that our donation goes to the area you designate BUT if there is a shortfall in preschool funding this will become the first priority, followed by partner projects.
Global Development Group is an ACNC organization and must adhere to all government regulations including financial accountability. See their online annual reports.
Australian team leaders for HOPE FOR MYANMAR employ a budgeting and financial accountability scheme for all of partners.
Australian Team leaders are in constant contact with partners in Myanmar through messaging, phone calls and online face to face meetings to ensure projects are on track and funds are being used wisely.
Australian Team leaders visit annually (completely at their expense) to inspect the work. Due to the ongoing civil war in Myanmar some locations cannot be visited safely or at all. However, face to face meetings are held with each partner on each trip. In addition, a number of other sources of information assist in monitoring that projects remain on track.
The primary focus has been long term poverty alleviation through Education - a proven instrument. Future Stars preschool works with many of Myanmar's poorest children and families.
The major contribution is in the critical area of preschool education. After graduation support is provided for children as they continue their schooling through the Back 2 School program.
The charity also provides essentials like water filters, housing, and medical aid to the communities that these children come from and beyond as the occasion arises.
With increased poverty from Covid and the military coup, delivering emergency aid has become a key priority.
Hope for Myanmar started in as a grassroots initiative in 2006 when the first donation to our Myanmar Project Manager was made.
In 2013, an audited Not for Profit, Children and Charity Myanmar Inc was created to receive donations for the work In Myanmar.
On August 22, 2025 Children and Charity Myanmar Inc officially changed its name to Hope For Myanmar when it became a project Partner, J1260N, of Global Development Group (GDG) and becoming eligible for Tax Deductibility.
The poorest of the poor almost exclusively.
We do not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, sex or tribal groups. All who come are welcome for aid.
ABSOLUTELY!
The charity is a Christian faith-based charity which endeavors to do what Jesus did - sharing hope, love and practical help to all regardless of race, religion or sex.
"Word and Deed"!
The Future Stars Preschool Director is the Myanmar Project Manager.
The Australian Team leaders have known the Myanmar Project Manager and her family since 2006 and can attest to her consistent success in reaching goals.
Our other partners are independently led organizations serving the poor. Their effective leadership has been observed over 6–15 years and strong, reliable partnerships have been built with them.
Details of their projects are given in the Our Project descriptions.
Help us change lives and make the world a better place.
Make a Tax-Deductible donation to HOPE FOR MYANMAR
OR
become a Volunteer fundraiser/Ambassador for the work in Myanmar.
(Contact us for more information)
Working as a team, making a contribution no matter how small,
TOGETHER we can MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Get in Touch
Links that you masy find helpful
Hope For Myanmar
is proud to be a partner for
Project J1260N Hope For Myanmar
with Global Development Group (ABN 57 102 400 993),
an Australian NGO approved by the Minister for Foreign Affairs to carry out quality humanitarian projects with approved partners and provide aid to relieve poverty and ensure long term solutions.
Global Development Group takes responsibility for the project according to ATO & ACNC guidelines, providing a governance role and assisting in planning, monitoring andevaluating
