A Proposed Solution
Drawing on our background in Creative Problem Solving, IMU recognized the aforementioned challenge as being an opportunity. Over several more dinners, we leveraged this perspective and worked with Jacob to develop a potential solution. Before long, the idea for a Burmese Peer Mentorship and Tutoring Program was born.
As a means of addressing the academic challenges faced by refugee students and to consequently help facilitate their personal and professional success, IMU proposed a Burmese Peer Mentorship and Tutoring Program.
Forming Connections: Zauja
As we began to develop our program, we recognized the need for a space in which to house it. Jacob, being both well respected and well connected within the refugee community, suggested that we meet with Rev. Zauja Lahtaw – the Senior Pastor of the Syracuse Myanmar Baptist Church. The Syracuse Myanmar Baptist Church would become the hosting location for the Peer Mentorship & Tutoring Program.
Launching the Program
After a few months of planning and a lot of hard work by everyone involved with the program, the Peer Mentorship & Tutoring Program held its first session on March 7, 2022. This session served as an introductory meeting for the team and program participants to start building the foundational goals to ensure a successful program.
“We are so excited to officially launch this program. After adapting on the fly a little over a year ago, we are working together with the Burmese community in Syracuse to create an academic assistance program to empower the students in the community with education.”
To learn more about the Peer Mentorship and Tutoring Program, view our program page: Peer Mentorship and Tutoring Program – Myanmar United.
To make a donation to the program, please view our GoFundMe page below. Your contribution will provide the funding to ensure these students have an exceptional and safe experience during the program.
The Institute for Myanmar United was created in 2020 to release the power of human creativity to help individuals, communities, and nations reclaim their freedom, unity, and hope.