Who are we?

We are Claire and Louison, two passionate & open-minded engineering students from Lyon, France. We’ve shared a common goal to take part in a humanitarian mission since we met.

More about Claire:

"Growing up in a multicultural environment, with an American mom and a French dad has sparked my curiosity to discover new cultures. My family and schooling also has taught me to think of others in need and to be active in volunteer projects. Concerning my hobbies, I have played tennis for 7 years and I am constantly trying to improve my yoga skills. Finally, the accomplishment of this humanitarian project would be a dream come true. Claire"

Picture of Claire

More about Louison:

"I find it hard to stay in one place for too long, I need to visit the world! I am an avid backpacker, I love discovering new places, meeting local people. At the same time, it’s essential for me to do my part in improving the environment and helping others. I believe cultural and environmental awareness is very important so I would love to work on an ecology-related project. Louison"

Picture of Louison

Why are we here?

To validate the first year of our engineering degree we need to carry out a one-month operator internship in an industrial setting. Most students choose to do this type of manual job on a factory floor near their house but we would like to do something that would require engineering skills in a humanitarian setting. So, we have volunteered to be part of a construction project in Asia and that’s where we need you!

What is our mission going to be?

The mission we’ve chosen to participate in is based in Myanmar. The Mudita foundation is an official registered NGO based in Germany working in monastic education schools in Myanmar near the beautiful Inle Lake.

They are building new schools based on the Waldorf education system (this pedagogy strives to develop pupils' intellectual, artistic, and practical skills in an integrated and holistic manner). For now, they already have 2 schools in Myanmar, welcoming 3200 pupils. If we get the chance to help them, we would participate in 2 activities:

- Constructing school rooms and facilities with natural resources:

Myanmar is an underprivileged country which makes it hard for all the children to have access to education. According to UNESCO, the average adult has received 2.8 years of education. This is where this project takes action ; this mission consists in constructing new Eco facilities such as class rooms to welcome students. Part of the challenge is working with natural and local materials like clay and bamboo. This mission is also about working hand-in-hand with an architect team from Thailand, local people and of course students from the school.

- Organic farming:

This second activity will help provide food to the locals and encourage self-sufficiency. We will be working with a regional nature conservation foundation which will bring us, future engineers, ideas and lots of knowledge about organic farming.

Why?

Whether in high school or in higher education, going on a humanitarian mission is a rewarding and enriching initiative. Experiencing the humanitarian field during an academic career means opening up to the international and intercultural challenges that set the pace of today’s world. We want to bring into action this project first of all to help people in need and bring them happiness during our stay.

Going on a humanitarian mission is also a unique opportunity for us. It is an experience that will help us in our personal development. In addition to providing us with an extremely enriching adventure, participating in a humanitarian mission will open our eyes to a world different from the daily life we know back in France. Discovering a new culture will also help us to develop our own critical views, and to become more open-minded.

PO-TE in Myanmar

The publications