Our Work in Myanmar

In Myanmar, The Library Project provides free Reading Rooms, Reading Corners, Book Donations, and Literacy Programs to rural schools and community centers. These programs expand access to books and welcoming reading spaces while helping children and youth strengthen the literacy skills they need to continue learning.

We also provide Remedial Reading Lessons for marginalized children and youth who need additional support in developing foundational reading skills. Training & Support helps educators and community-based partners strengthen literacy programming and make more effective use of books and reading activities.

The Library Project also provides Capacity Building for local literacy nonprofit organizations in Myanmar. This support is free of charge and may include one-on-one mentoring, planning tools, fundraising guidance, program development support, and access to practical resources. By strengthening local organizations, we help build long-term, community-led literacy impact.

Literacy in Myanmar

Years of conflict, displacement, economic hardship, and natural disasters have severely disrupted education in Myanmar. UNICEF currently estimates that around 3.5 million children are out of school or learning, representing nearly 20 percent of the country’s child population. Approximately 60 percent of out-of-school children are ages 15 to 17, placing many adolescents at risk of entering adulthood without completing their education.

The challenges are particularly severe for vulnerable children. UNICEF reports that approximately two-thirds of children with disabilities are out of school, while teacher shortages exceed 50 percent. Conflict has also resulted in attacks on schools and repeated interruptions to learning. The March 2025 earthquake created an additional setback, damaging or destroying more than 2,500 schools and learning facilities.

For children whose education has been interrupted, access to books, community-based learning opportunities, and targeted literacy support can help maintain connections to learning and rebuild foundational skills. Remedial instruction is especially important for children and youth who have fallen behind or have spent extended periods outside formal education.

The Library Project’s work in Myanmar responds to these needs through Reading Rooms, Reading Corners, Book Donations, Literacy Programs, Remedial Reading Lessons, and Training & Support, while strengthening local literacy nonprofit organizations through Capacity Building.