EDUCATION
Education changes what is possible.
For children growing up in poverty, education is often not simply a question of going to school.
In many of the communities where we work, children face barriers that make regular schooling almost impossible. Families may not be able to afford uniforms, books and other basic school costs. Some children lack the documents required to enrol. Others have to work, collect recyclable materials or care for younger siblings while their parents struggle to survive.
The school may exist. But access to education does not.
This is where SONNE comes in.
Since 2008, we have been creating safe spaces where children and young people can learn, grow and develop new opportunities for their future. Today, more than 300 children and young people take part in our education programmes, with numbers changing throughout the year.
Our education work combines three complementary approaches:
Non-Formal Education
A first step into education.
Our Non-Formal Education programmes provide learning opportunities for children who are currently excluded from formal schooling. We create a safe and supportive environment where children can learn, develop basic skills and prepare for their next step in education.
Tuition
Helping children stay in school.
For children who do attend government schools, poverty can still make education difficult. Our free Tuition Classes provide additional learning support, helping children strengthen their skills, keep up with their schoolwork and stay on track with their education.
Vocational Training
Skills create opportunities.
For young people, education also means preparing for an independent future. Our vocational training programmes provide practical skills and recognised qualifications in areas such as computer skills and tailoring, helping young people improve their chances of finding work and earning their own income.
Education where it is needed most
Our work does not begin with a school building. It begins in the community.
Our social workers regularly visit families and identify children who are excluded from education. When we find a community where the need is particularly high, we look for ways to bring education closer to the children who need it.
Our newest project is Daycare Centre 4 (DCC4) in Ward 60, Dagon Seikan. Built directly inside an underserved settlement, DCC4 will provide Non-Formal Education for around 40 children and Tuition Classes for another 20 students.
Construction began in August 2026, with the new centre scheduled to open in November.
