Build a School in Burma constructed a new building for a primary school in Nee Ku Dee village in Kachin State in northern Myanmar.  The building replaces a rough, temporary bamboo and thatch structure with a safe, good quality learning environment, and provides space to add grades 3 and 4 for the children of this remote village.

Most of the residents of this village are refugees, mostly of the Lisu ethnic group, who were displaced by fighting in their home villages.

The need for a school building was brought to BSB’s attention by a US based religious group, Surpassing Grace Ministries (SGM).  They have been helping with health care, basic education, and work safety training (many residents work in jobs that expose them to pesticides), and livelihood training.  SGM also has helped the villagers buy land for them to live on and farm.  A significant portion of construction funds was donated by Surpassing Grace Ministries.

Construction began in December 2019, and was completed in February 2020, with active participation of the community. The new school includes a solar lighting system, school furniture, teaching aids and equipment, playground equipment, two new latrines and a rainwater collection system.

In the 2020 academic year (beginning in June), 90 students are expected to attend kindergarten through grade 4, and 33 students are expected to attend preschool.  The building was constructed to allow adding a second story if more classroom space is needed.