When looking for a learning center to sponsor, some 13 years ago, Kiwanis Club of Damansara was introduced to MSO.  MSO is based in Cheras and is located on the ground floors of two apartment blocks that house nearly 100 refugee families with over 80 children from Myanmar in addition to other residents. 

“We are stateless people, hoping for a bright future through learning and education. Thanks to UNHCR, volunteers, funding organizations, school standing committee and visitors for helping MSO Learning Centre.” – Matu Social Organization

The Mission Statement of MSO Learning Centre is to achieve Total Quality Education for all Children.  MSO is committed in continuing close co-operation and communication with all organizations in achieving this goal. 

MSO OBJECTIVES; 

• To provide quality education to under privileged children
• To respond to the needs of refugees’ education and to help them in their development to live responsible lives in the host country.

Who are we? 

The refugee families here have applied for refugee protection and are under the status of ‘Refugee’ or ‘Asylum Seekers’. Their fears include being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, members of a particular social group and political opinion.

In 1948, under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Malaysia is obligated to protect and assist asylum seekers and refugees. Article 14 of this declaration states – Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.

A brief history of MSO learning Centre 

Matu School was established as a Sunday school by the Malaysia Matu Christian Fellowship Church when it first opened.  Gradually when the number of children increased, the Sunday school was converted to a school on 12 March 2007. It also supports the education for the Matu community in populous area in Jalan Imbi and Taman Bukit Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Under the protection of UNHCR office in Kuala Lumpur, MSO runs the center similar to a primary school since 2009.  With the support from Kiwanis Club of Damansara since 2008, in terms of rental, subsidy of teachers’ fees, books and stationery, MSO is able to maintain these classes. However, they are still not able to provide the required standard of teaching for pre-primary school pupils due to classes being conducted by refugee Myanmar teachers who do not have the necessary educational background to take the students to the next level.

Fortunately, Hands of Hope group comprising of UCSI students, Picha Eats and Elluminate have also extended their help since 2017. Under their ‘The Other School Project’, they have helped hire two local teachers. Since then, with qualified teachers to conduct primary classes, the number of students has been increasing annually. The total enrolment in the 2021 academic year is 74 students.  

Today classes are separated into morning classes for kindergarden and pre-primary students and afternoon classes for the primary students. Sadly, UNHCR office has stopped supporting the Myanmar Chin/ Myanmar refugees since 2015 after the Middle East turmoil and the Exodus of Rohingya people from Myanmar. Today, support for MSO is from local companies, NGOs and volunteers.

During this COVID 19 period which still persists, MSO’s community requires much needed assistance in terms of food supplies as many refugees are not able to work.  If you wish to lend a hand and have any query, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Sang Bik of MSO.

Mr. Sang Bik (Head Teacher) MSO Learning Centre

Address: JALAN 2/144 A, BLOCK (3), GROUND FLOOR, TAMAN BUKIT CHERAS, 56000 CHERAS, KUALA LUMPUR.

Mobile: 0149724082

Mail:  sangbik11@gmail.com