Current Program Partners
Forderverein Myanmar e.V, a German non-profit organization, has supported PDO for 18 years in multiple academic and extra-curricular programs, as well as providing resources and facilities to support students’ learning. Foderverein runs god children programs in both Mandalay and Mingun. Under the god children programs, students are sponsored for their education and living expenses.
The organization regularly sends volunteers and expert teachers from Senior Expert Services (SES) and HTW Berlin University to teach English, German, sports and arts in the New Teacher Training Center program. Forderverein also runs annual health check-ups for students at PDO at the beginning of each school year, as well as a nutrition program after lunchtime.
Myanmar Partner has been supporting PDO for 18 years through god children program, scholarships for students in need, and various educational and vocational training programs. Previously, Myanmar Partner supported an agricultural training program. Currently, Myanmar Partner supports the three-month Tourism and Hotel Management short course in PDO’s Ground 2 for students after they complete Grade 11.
Pestaloozi Children Foundation, a Switzerland-based organization for global children development, has partnered with PDO since 2006. Between 2006-2016, PDO was Pestaloozi’s partner in providing teachers’ training for six monastic schools to implement the Child-Centered Approach (CCA) as the principal teaching-learning method. This project was later expanded to 10 monastic schools in the Upper Myanmar region.
Currently, through 2020, PDO and Pestaloozi are working to implement CCA and the School Environmental Conservation project at 10 monastic schools. They are working closely with head monks at each school, government agencies, and other network organizations. Under the School Environmental Conservation project, PDO is working closely with the Environmental Conservation Department to raise awareness on environmental issues and create plant nurseries and gardens at each school.
The Monastic Education Development Group (MEDG), a non-profit organization started by PDO Principal The Ven. U Nayaka, is PDO’s partner in supporting the growth and development of monastic education nationwide. MEDG provides teachers’ training, small grants, school buildings and non-formal education support to Myanmar monastic schools.
World Child Care Foundation supports current Golden House operations by providing the dormitory buildings as well as daily necessities such as bedding and toiletries to all students living in Golden House. The organization also supports the Bridging Program, now under Phaung Daw Oo International University, to prepare Grade-10 graduates in English language skills.
The Charitable Foundation, supports PDO in planning long-term sustainability and development. The organization has been providing PDO with a part of PDO’s operational costs. Currently, PDO is working with the Charitable Foundation to develop and implement the 2019-2023 School Sustainable Development project.
The Child’s Dream organization, based in Thailand and Switzerland, supports the Pre-College Program, now under the Phaung Daw Oo International University. The program aims to equip high school graduates with necessary English and critical thinking skills, peace education and social sciences, to pursue higher education in Myanmar and overseas.
Current Volunteer Partners
American University (AU), based in Washington D.C., U.S., has been sending graduate students to PDO to volunteer as teachers and supporting staff. Graduate students from AU can either work as Peace Education & Human Rights teachers in the Pre-College Program (now under Phaung Daw Oo International University), or as Communications & Business Development Fellows to support PDO’s digital communications, outreach and development efforts.
Starting in 2019, the AIME Foundation, in partnership with the French government, regularly sends volunteers to PDO. AIME volunteers are French students and graduates between 18-25 of age. They come to PDO to teach for one full school year (7-9 months) in all academic departments, with subjects including Mathematics, Geography, English, French, and Sports.
Project Trust, an organization based in the United Kingdom, sends volunteers to PDO to serve as English teachers, as a part of the Gap Year volunteering program. Volunteers are between 17-19 years of age. They live and teach at PDO for a year to support PDO’s academic programs and extra-curricular activities.
City University of Hong Kong sends a group of university-level students to volunteer teach in the NTTC and Fast-Track Program as a part of their annual International Community Service-Learning Programme. The program has been running every June since 2017. Volunteer teachers work at PDO for three weeks and explore Myanmar culture alongside their volunteering work.
Past Partners
The Open Society Foundations supported the very first students and teachers of our Pre-College Program (PCP). Their support for the first batch of the program is invaluable in shaping and developing PCP into one of the most renowned academic programs at PDO today.
The Center of Promoting for Monastic Education Schools was instrumental to the implementation of the Reading-Writing-Critical Thinking teaching approach as well as life skills teaching at PDO. With their support, PDO was able to train teachers to incorporate innovative teaching in the NTTC program.