The Yangon Adventist Seminary International School (YASIS) has officially opened its newly renovated and upgraded Children’s Library, providing a vibrant, child-friendly space to foster creativity, learning, and a love for reading among younger students. The dedication ceremony, held on November 27, 2024, was led by the Adventist Church in Myanmar (MYUM) President, Alvin Po Po Hla, who serves as the school board chairman. His prayer of dedication symbolized the mission-driven purpose behind this transformative initiative.

The journey to this milestone began with recommendations from both the Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA) team and the Government 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 grade 4.

The school's staff's dedication, the prayers of many, and God's providence enabled the successful completion of the project despite facing design challenges and financial constraints. Spanning 640 square feet, 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 imaginations.

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. 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. YASIS invites 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.

For now, the library is accessible exclusively to YASIS students as a security measure. Future 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 YASIS Children’s Library stands as a center of influence and an Adventist mission to uplift education. By nurturing young learners, the library aligns with the church’s commitment to holistic education and spiritual growth. Through this initiative, YASIS continues to make a positive impact, promoting a love for reading and learning among Myanmar’s youth.

The original article was published on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division website.