WHAT WE DO
We create storybooks addressing peace, diversity, tolerance, gender equality, women empowerment, environment, and child rights. We currently have 22 books originally written by Myanmar authors and illustrated by Myanmar artists. The books are originally written in Burmese and translated into 11 different Myanmar languages. Our books are colorful and they reflect our culture as well as teach important lessons.
Photo by: Third Story Project Myanmar school kids happy to get their new book.
We use very simple words to cater to our target audience which are kids under ten. The messages are subtle and in this way, we get kids to think critically about issues.
We believe in the power of art to spark something in children that could inspire them to want to take action and change their surroundings. Our stories are forms of art and it is our hope that our storybooks can reach as many children as it can.
To encourage critical thinking and discussion, our stories have questions at the end of each book. To facilitate this, we encourage our volunteers to read them and engage the children by discussing the questions.
While some volunteers get along well with children immediately, others are not very comfortable working with them. To resolve this, we provide storytelling trainings for
Photo by: Third Story Project Third Story Project produced books
them.
In 2016, we had a chance to invite Sam Reiff-Passarew from the Story Pirates in New York, to conduct a story writing training for our team and volunteers. We have since used their methods to teach children and youth how to creatively develop their own stories. From over 200 stories, we selected four of them as our new books to be published.
By April 2017, we will have 26 storybooks. We are planning to create more by the end of the year.
Photo by: Third Story Project More kids enjoying their new book
HOW TO REACH OUR GOALS
Most children in Myanmar have never had a colorful book of their own. We want to give them books that they will love and feel connected to.
While we can always apply for grants to distribute free books all over Myanmar, we find that this is difficult. To be more sustainable, we had to gain profit from our books. In early 2016, we decided to register as a company and publisher. Today, we have become self-sufficient.
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