Children’s book series in Myanmar aims to foster diversity and tolerance amongst youths

Peace and tolerance is not only a matter for adults. Learning about these issues should begin from childhood and be reinforced at every age, according to the organisation The Myanmar Storytellers who launched the first in a series of children’s books about peace, diversity and tolerance for Burmese children this week at a school in Yangon

With one of the world’s longest running internal conflicts in Myanmar, the need to renew thinking about how to spread the message of peace and tolerance is always pertinent. The Myanmar Storytellers, a Myanmar organisation of some 30 volunteers cofounded by Thantzin Soe, have set out on a mission to use ancient, almost forgotten folktales from various ethnic communities in Myanmar to develop stories about peace, diversity and tolerance specifically for children, and also create youth networks through storytelling.

“Everyone is valuable”

The first book titled “Everyone is valuable”, tells the story of five friends in a classroom: a blackboard, a broom, a vase on the teacher’s desk, a water pot from which the students drink, and a trashcan. Through images and short text, a short story unfolds about how the broom and the trash can are ousted from the classroom by their friends for being dirty, but later are missed because the classroom becomes a mess without them. The moral of the story is of course that everyone has a value and should be accepted and treated with respect.

Check out the book here. English translation at the end of this article.

Being proud of diversity

The project is a collaboration between the Myanmar Storytellers and the Benevolent Youth Association with funding for the first 3,000 copies of the book from International Media Support (IMS) which will be dispersed throughout Myanmar with the aim of translating them into various ethnic languages. Although a small-scale project, the series of books on diversity and tolerance hopes to serve as a medium for the diverse ethnic groups to share their cultures and create trust between them. At the launch of the first book, 90 children and invited guests from the local community received a copy of the new book. While many organisations are working on interfaith dialogue for adults, the mission of Myanmar Storytellers is to target young children through a medium that is both fun and educational, and which teaches them to be proud of diversity.

Speaking at the event, Thantzin Soe, the author of the book commented:

“Storytelling and books are a very important way to spread these peaceful messages to children in all communities. We hope we can reach as many children as possible with these books throughout Myanmar.”

The Benevolent Youth Association working with the Myanmar Storytellers has been tasked with dispersing the books throughout its wide network and donation activities in partnership with the Yangon Youth Network. Walone, a member of the Benevolent Youth Association explained:

“Because there is a real lack of children’s books reflecting our stories and our culture, we wanted to create them and make sure children had access to books of their very own.”

With the support of IMS, 3000 copies of the books will be donated to children throughout Myanmar.

English translation of “Everyone has value”

There are 5 friends in a classroom. They are a teacher’s blackboard, the vase on the teacher’s table, the water pot from which students drink, the cleaner’s broom and a trash can. One day the vase, water pot and blackboard said that the trash can and broom are filthy. The trash can and broom were very sad because their friends didn’t talk to them.  Finally, the trash can and broom left the classroom.  At that time, the vase, water pot and blackboard were happy because they didn’t have any dirty friends. But their classroom was not happy like before, because when no one cleaned, the room became dirty with many mice and flies. When the teacher couldn’t find the broom and trash can, she asked the others where they were. The vase replied that the dirty friends left the classroom. The teacher explained that everyone has their own value and duty so everyone is important. Finally, they apologized to their friends and promised that they would live together and create a happy classroom. Now the classroom is a happy place and everyone understands that everyone has their own values.