‘I Can Now Dream Greater’

By Shae Davidson

Cung Za Lian’s parents made certain he could attend the best school available when he started classes. At a very young age, he developed a deep love of education and a sense of the opportunities a good school would provide. The 2021 coup in Myanmar, however, forced his family to flee to a camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) and threatened to end his hopes.

BGR partner New Eden Charity Foundation works closely with families in IDP camps to ensure that children can continue their education. The foundation provides school supplies that camps can use to organize classes, allowing very young students to continue learning literacy and older students to explore a range of subjects. The program gives children a sense of hope and agency, allowing them to imagine a peaceful future.

Cung loves attending classes every day. Before his family was forced to flee, he wanted to find a career that would allow him to help others. His experiences with New Eden Charity Foundation have only deepened his drive to improve the world, and the classes have nurtured his sense of curiosity and engagement. Discussing his experiences and hopes with a volunteer, he explained, “I can now dream greater.”

BGR Board member Shae Davidson completed a Ph.D. in U.S. History at Ohio University, with research exploring the importance of inclusive community partnerships in building food systems. His past experience includes serving as a museum director, a humanities instructor, and a researcher. Shae currently works at a nonprofit that supports survivors of gender-based violence.