Children’s Library in Myanmar Opens to Inspire Creativity and Learning

The Yangon Adventist Seminary (YAS) in Yangon, Myanmar, has officially opened its new Children’s Library, providing a vibrant, child-friendly space to foster creativity, learning, and a love for reading among younger students, regional church leaders said.

The dedication ceremony, held on November 27, was led by Alvin Po Po Hla, president of the Myanmar Union Mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and school board chair. His prayer of dedication emphasized the mission-driven purpose behind this transformative initiative, school leaders said.

The journey to this milestone began with recommendations from both the Adventist Accrediting Association team and the Ministry of Education of Myanmar during their evaluations of the school. These bodies emphasized the importance of a dedicated children’s library section to align with international school standards. What started as a vision to enhance the existing library evolved into a concerted effort to create a specialized space for students from kindergarten to fourth grade.

The school’s staff’s dedication, the prayers of many, and God’s providence enabled the successful completion of the project despite design challenges and financial constraints, school leaders said. Spanning 640 square feet (60 square meters), the Children’s Library serves as an extension of the main school library, offering young learners a safe and engaging environment to explore books and expand their imagination, school leaders said.

“The library’s purpose goes beyond academic support; it aims to counter the rising trend of children gravitating toward electronic devices by introducing them to the wonders of reading,” leaders explained. “Through books, students can embark on journeys around the world, discover new ideas, and cultivate creative thinking. The space’s vibrant and welcoming design aims to captivate young minds, inspiring them to value the joy and knowledge books offer.”

Currently, the library houses a modest collection of children’s storybooks, including secular titles, Bible stories, pop-up picture books, dictionaries, general knowledge resources, and bilingual Myanmar-English materials. However, due to the high cost of books, the collection remains limited. School leaders said that YAS is now inviting the wider community to contribute through donations of pre-owned books or financial assistance, which will enable the library to provide more diverse and updated resources for its young patrons.

As a security measure, the library is temporarily accessible only to YAS students. Plans include opening it to the public through a membership system to benefit more community children.

In a country facing ongoing political and social challenges, the YAS Children’s Library stands as a helpful center of influence and an Adventist mission to uplift education, school leaders said. “By nurturing young learners, the library aligns with the church’s commitment to wholistic education and spiritual growth,” they said. “Through this initiative, YAS continues to make a positive impact, promoting a love for reading and learning among Myanmar’s youth.”

The original version of this story was posted on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division news site.