A look back at the evening's testimonials: Training young people in Southeast Asia, comparative perspectives on Laos and Myanmar

On Tuesday, January 27, Opportunity for Women and Fondacio co-organized an evening of insightful discussions. Participants had the pleasure of meeting Roger and Aleona, two leaders involved in educational programs in Laos and Myanmar. Through their personal stories, they shared their experiences, their work, and their future projects, all geared towards a common goal: offering better prospects for young Laotians and Burmese through education. The evening also provided an opportunity for more personal exchanges, creating a genuine moment of sharing about local realities.

Based in Laos, Aleona coordinates the Young Lives program, while Roger, originally from Myanmar, holds regional responsibilities for Fondacio Asia. Together, they support youth training in Southeast Asia and contribute to the development of educational programs run by Fondacio in the region.

Common challenges beyond borders

Through their testimonies, they highlighted common challenges. In both countries, access to comprehensive, quality education is severely compromised. In Myanmar, the political situation complicates teacher recruitment, course organization, and access to resources. In Laos, the limited number of universities and declining enrollment since the pandemic reduce prospects for many young people. In this context, many are forced or choose to enter the workforce quickly to support their families or earn a living, sometimes at the expense of their education. In both countries, there is significant migration of young people seeking work in neighboring countries, particularly Thailand, where wages are more attractive. Furthermore, early marriage hinders the continuation of studies, especially for young girls.

Young lives, an educational response to regional challenges

In response to these challenges, Fondacio created the Young Lives program, which is based on a common training foundation, including English and computer skills, implemented in several Southeast Asian countries and adapted to local realities. In Myanmar and Laos, the programs coordinated by Roger and Aleona aim to strengthen young people's autonomy and employability through several months of work experience. In Myanmar, two centers in Yangon and Myitkyina welcome around twenty young people each year for an eight-month training program, which, in addition to the common core curriculum, includes specific modules on personal development, critical thinking, and leadership. In Laos, a six-month program is primarily aimed at young people from disadvantaged families. This common framework allows Fondacio to adapt Young Lives to specific contexts, such as in Malaysia, where the program is also implemented for Burmese refugees.

The Young Lives program generates lasting effects for local youth. In this regard, it is worth noting that it enabled 240 students to graduate between 2016 and 2024 in Myanmar.

Sustaining and developing the program: objectives and resources needed

Today, Aleona and Roger share the same concerns: the search for greater financial stability to secure and expand their missions. In Laos, Aleona dreams of a new center in the heart of the country, more focused on ecology and agriculture. She hopes to increase the number of beneficiaries, strengthen the center's capacity by improving infrastructure, and extend the program's duration. In Myanmar, Roger is leading the ambitious project to obtain regional recognition for the training programs, enabling them to award formal diplomas and extend the course to one year. For him, investing in training today means preparing the future leaders of Myanmar.



Through their presence and testimonies, Roger and Aleona brought to life the realities of education in Laos and Myanmar. Their presentations highlighted the challenges, the resilience of young people, and the commitment of Young Lives' leaders, reminding us how essential everyone's support is for these projects to grow.

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