Two of the programs that community co-lab is a part of are funded through the us state department. implemented through ph international, ya-eap (Youth ambassadors East Asia & Pacific) and education usa (Hong kong exchange) are programs for international students funded through the eca - the bureau of educational and cultural affairs (ECA). The mission of the ECA is centered around fostering “mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries to promote friendly and peaceful relations.”

Our funding was withheld and we had to postpone our Ya-eap program, due to the us governments federal funding freeze. The mission of the ECA is probably a main reason for our current administration to question it’s funding, as well as the fact that part of each program emphasizes climate Science and community engagement around climate solutions. It is important to emphasize the importance of climate education at a time when communities around the world are suffering through climate crisis induced disasters. youth empowerment and environmental leadership opportunities are necessary and urgent - young people around the world are the ones who will have to solve the multiple crisis impacting our planet and people.

This work matters and has important, lasting impact. I’m writing today to share some post program perspectives from two 2024 participants from myanmar - a country experiencing turmoil after a military coup and in the immediate aftermath of a devastating earthquake. support for these young people and their communities is the reason why we do this work - care for community is the purpose.

khin khin kyaw leading a community event

community members engage with resources provided through Books beyond sight (bbs)

my community impact project [is] Books Beyond Sight (BBS), which I founded after returning from the Myanmar Youth Leadership Program (MYLP) 2024. BBS is a non-profit organization that connects voice donation volunteers with visually impaired students by providing free Myanmar and English audiobooks, both academic and non-academic.

Since June 2024, our key milestones include:
"Voice of Reading" Event (July 31, 2024): Raised awareness about voice donation at the American Center Yangon, with 220+ attendees and 190 new voice donation volunteers.
"Let’s Read" Donation Campaign (August 3, 2024): Provided 500+ audiobooks and essential resources to 400 visually impaired students at Kyimyindaing and Kawechan Blind Schools.
Braille & Voice Donation Training Workshops (January 2025):

January 4 (Sat): Spaces 31, Yangon (1:30 PM – 3:00 PM)
January 11 (Sat): Studio Canvas, Yangon (1:30 PM – 3:00 PM)
January 12 (Sun): Turquoise Mountain, Yangon (12:00 PM – 1:30 PM)

These workshops, part of the Differently Abled Art Project, supported by the U.S. Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF), provided visually impaired students with Braille training, voice donation sessions, and audiobook access to enhance their learning opportunities.

Additionally, I was honored to be featured by Voice of America (VOA) Burmese, where I shared my journey as a community leader. The interview was broadcast on January 12, 2025.

MYLP/BYLP was a life-changing opportunity—not only for me but also for the betterment of my community. I gained invaluable knowledge and skills that have directly contributed to the success of my project.

Best regards,
Khin Khin Kyaw (Kora)

2024 MYLP Alumna

facilitation of a community workshop by Hein Zin Thant

participants of project ‘doing more with less’

To say that MYLP changed my life feels like an understatement. The lessons I learned, the friendships I forged, and the experiences I had continue to shape the way I view the world today.

Returning to Myanmar after the exchange was difficult, especially with the passing of my father just a few weeks later. It was a challenging and painful time, and I struggled to focus on my MYLP follow-on project. However, I was fortunate to receive incredible support from my fellow exchange participants and the people I met through the program. Their kindness and encouragement meant the world to me, reminding me of the deep connections and understanding we built during MYLP. Over time, I found strength in these connections, which only deepened my commitment to the work I’m doing.

So, Doing More With Less, my MYLP follow-on project, continues to grow. What started as an initiative to address overconsumption and promote accessible, sustainable living has now expanded to include environmental, climate, and sustainability education. We’re also focused on fostering a more inclusive and accessible environmental sustainability movement. Currently, we’re publishing articles on social media and developing a board game that helps people understand climate and sustainability through a framework I created—one that is deeply influenced by my MYLP experiences and my ongoing work in this field.

At the same time, I am studying Bioresources and Environmental Biology at Mahidol University, with a full scholarship from the Norwegian government and the university. Balancing academics and community work was particularly challenging in my first semester, but I’ve since settled in and learned to manage my time more efficiently.

Among the projects I’ve started, one of the most personal projects I’ve worked on since MYLP is my online photo book series called If Only I Could Tell You. This project is a way to capture moments from my journey. Each image is a reflection of the lessons, experiences, and memories I carry with me—moments I wish I could have shared with my father. It’s a way for me to process my emotions while continuing to share my experiences in a deeply meaningful way.

Looking back, I realize that MYLP didn’t just impact me in the short term. It continues to shape my path, with every project and every effort to create change being a direct reflection of that transformative experience.

I attached some of the photos from the project and from the photo book (If Only I Could Tell You).

Thank you again for everything! And please let me know if you need anything.

With warm regards,
Hein Zin Thant (Erik)

in times of seemingly endless trouble, i find comfort and solace in grounding in this reality - the incredible almuni of these programs continue to move through the world with purpose, passion, care and grace. a reminder to all of us that we have a role - and we need to keep pushing forward with purpose.

<3 jo