We are Anderson Liang and Mclaren Tsang, two 17-year-old students at Brighton College. During the Easter holidays, we will cycle 400 kilometres in a day, fundraising for Mobile Education Partnerships.

Why are we doing it?

We both value our fantastic education here at Brighton College. However, so many other kids do not have access to education. A great education can provide a much better opportunity for them to improve their lives. We believe that education is the best way to impact a community positively. Cycling is certainly a challenge, but with challenges, opportunities arise. We hope this opportunity is for children in disadvantaged communities in Myanmar to receive a better education.

Who are MEP and what do they do?

Mobile Education Partnerships have provided quality professional support based on teacher partnerships focused on teacher training, to improve the life chances of children and adults in disadvantaged communities in Myanmar. They work in partnership with local teachers at the 'grassroots' level and with victims of war, poverty and oppression in Myanmar. The words below are from Rob Gordon, Programme Manager at MEP.

"Burma had been under military rule since 1962 but in 2020 the people elected a strong civilian government. With a violent coup in February 2020 the army once again seized power. Burma’s 60 year struggle for democracy was halted. Using terror, violence and misinformation the army is trying to destroy any resistance. Thousands of people have been killed and tens of thousands imprisoned. Communication is restricted, borders are closed and a curfew has been imposed. The army sees education as a threat. Hundreds of teachers have been dismissed because of their support of the democracy movement. Parents are refusing to send their children to school as the military government has halted any ‘progressive education’ and reintroduced what the Burmese call ‘the military slave curriculum’. "