June 2026 – Bridging the Divide, Building the Future
Cross-cultural friendships enrich our lives and broaden our perspectives. Many of us can remember a moment when a connection with someone from a different background helped us see the world in a new way.
For me, that experience began when I moved from Nepal to California at the age of seven. I quickly realised how different I was from the other children around me. Yet I also remember the simple acts of kindness that made me feel welcome and showed me that finding a home in a new place was possible.
Forty years later, my work with the Andaman Center has brought me to another remarkable cultural crossroads. Here, fisherfolk and farming families come together alongside students born in Thailand and from many parts of Myanmar. Thai and Burmese teachers work side by side, supported by volunteers and donors from around the world. All of this takes place within a small Thai community that has welcomed and supported us.
The Andaman Center exists because of this collective effort. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who plays a part in making our work possible.
I would also like to offer a special note of appreciation to our Thai support network. My sincere thanks to our local communities and leaders, the nearby mosque and temple, our dedicated principal, and the Thai administrators who work with us to help keep the Center open and thriving.
Take care,
Bodhi
Thank you Thailand!
📚 Request for Help – Teacher Salaries
With nearly 180 students in 9 grades, we would like to expand our curriculum to include more Thai language skills, sports, and computer lessons.
To do all of this, we hope to hire 2 more teachers, and we need your support.
Please consider helping us with their monthly salary of $450, any amount makes a difference.
🎓 Building Student Futures
Our goal is not only to educate children but to help them build healthy, confident futures.
We are proud to see many students taking the next step in their educational journey. This year, twenty children successfully enrolled in Thai schools, while others have graduated into GED and Non-Formal Education programs. Through parent engagement, language support, and ongoing guidance, we are helping create pathways to further education and opportunity.
Learning also extends beyond the classroom. Recent beach and community clean-up activities, together with a visit to Jungle Life Camp, encouraged environmental awareness, teamwork, and a deeper connection with the world around us.
Here at the Center, our breakfast and lunch programs continue to provide essential nutrition for students throughout the day, with free meals available for children facing particularly difficult circumstances. We have also worked with local vendors to encourage healthier snack options, supporting positive habits and wellbeing.
🏫 Building a Better Center
Maintenance on the Andaman Coast is a serious business. With 6-8 months of rain per year, and salty winds blowing in from the sea, conditions can be harsh.
In March and April, we raced to finish a number of improvements, such as a new paved play area in the middle of the Center, helping to avoid the mud puddles and dirty uniforms of past monsoons.
We were also able to replace most of our doors and windows, and upgrade our septic system just before the rains started. And, after 11 years, it was finally time to replace some of the roof tiles.
The kids are most excited about the development of a new play field that will provide much-needed space for sports and recreation. These upgrades allow us to start the new learning year in a safer, more enjoyable environment where children can learn, play, and thrive.
🎤 Interview – May Su Naing
This month we highlight one of our team members, May Su Naing. She is 36 years old, and her hometown is Yangon.
What inspired you to work with children?
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my experiences. I have always believed that education has the power to change the way people think and understand the world.
Why do you think education is so important for migrant children?
I have seen how language barriers and limited access to knowledge can affect their opportunities. Without education, many children miss the chance to develop the critical thinking and empathy they need to shape their own future.
What keeps you motivated on difficult days?
Whenever I face difficult days, I think about my students. What makes me most proud is not only academic achievement, but also seeing my students become kinder, more eager to learn, and more willing to support one another.
If you could share one thing with the person reading this interview, what would it be?
I would say that migrant children should not be left behind. They are not meant to remain at the level of raw materials; they have the potential to become highly valuable members of society. They deserve opportunities to learn, grow, and pursue their dreams, because every child deserves the chance to build a better future.
🔎 Looking Ahead
In the coming months, we will focus on:
- Developing the new play field
- Supporting older students to get their GEDs and pursue further studies
- Expanding Thai language support
- Computer lessons
- Health support for children and their parents
Your support makes all of this possible.
Because of you, children have access to nutritious meals, caring teachers, and pathways to a brighter future. Thank you for standing with us and the children.
With Gratitude
💙 The Andaman Center Team
