Around the world, many people spend their Sunday in many ways. Some take rest, some go shopping, and some do what they want to. Anyhow, Sunday is their great day before starting work on Monday again.

 

Now-a-days, thousands of Burmese migrants are working in Thailand . They mostly get holidays on Sunday. Like other people, they spend their free Sunday in many ways. Some go to the monastery, some go to a relative's place, some continue to work, and some relax. However, some intelligent people go to the nearest learning centres and try to learn Thai and English languages.
 
"As for me, I always come here and learn Thai and English every Sunday. It makes me feel relaxed and spend invaluable time", said Mi Sadike Mon, a 17 year old Mon girl who is learning Thai and Mon language in Mahachai.
 
Most migrant people from Burma had to put a stop to their education and some did not have a chance to learn at all, when they came to Thailand for jobs. They were bereft of education. Fortunately, they have a chance to learn in another country.
 
"I was only a nursery student when I left Burma with my parents. But now, you know, I have no words to show my happiness for the great chance of learning I have got", she added.
 
Besides, Mi Sanda, a Mon woman from Tamort Kanin village who currently works in Mahachai, shared her feeling of learning. "I had to stop my primary school education in Burma because of poverty. Now, I can learn the Thai language which helps me in many ways in my work. There are no words to write down my happiness."
 
For migrant people, learning on Sundays is full of inconvenience. Some people are not free on Sunday even though they want to learn. Some have to come to class as soon as they finish their night duty. Some have to go very far and have to spend a long time on the way. However, their urge to study is quite strong.
 
"I have to get permission from my boss who always encourages me to learn. I am quite lucky to get the chance to come and study in Bangkok studying centre",  21 year old Pa O lady, Ma Than Than Soe, who left her primary school life in Burma and works as a maid in Thailand, said. Besides, although someone is quite wealthy, he is nothing if he has no education, she added. 
 
Furthermore, some people come to study even if they have a chance to work for double the money on Sunday. "I strongly believe that the fall out from my studying is much more valuable than the money I can make on Sunday," said Maugh Tuu, a 30-year old Arakan man, who finished his diploma in Tourism in Burma .
 
Besides, their respective aims are quite interesting. They have different thoughts on learning. Some want to get a higher salary. Some would like to improve their knowledge while working in Thailand . Some would like to continue their education to study abroad.
 
"The reasons I have to spend my Sunday in Bangkok learning centre is firstly, to improve my English and then I would like to try some scholarship programmes to continue my study abroad," added Arakan Man.
 
"Thanks to the learning centre I can speak and read Thai language, and it helps me a lot in travelling and in seeking knowledge, and I would like to encourage people to learn", added Mi Sanda.
 
Besides, one of the teachers from Mahachai, Nai Soi Dane shared his experience in learning schools. "There is only one Daycare school and Sunday school when we started to teach three years ago. Now, there are five more schools opening around Mahachai, for migrant people. In my experience, more and more people are coming to study, both young and adult. However, inadequate supporting fund is a big problem for us annually".
 
 "I would like to share my experience until they stop to learn. In fact, I would like to help my Mon nation and others as well. And I want to let the people know about our learning centre," added Nai Soi Dane who is presently teaching Thai language to migrant people.
 
"This is a very positive point for the migrant people. In fact, we could help them more effectively if they could speak and read the Thai language when they are in trouble. Furthermore, they could build a great relationship among themselves," said Ko Myint Wai, a member from the Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma .
 
By studying Thai language and seeking knowledge during their free time, one point of benefit is those Burmese migrant people are now understand and familiar with the current migrant laws in Thailand and their rights, which they should have. It really helps us to help them, he added.
 
Migrant people willing to study make Sundays, more and more beautiful. From several Sundays, their dream of education will come true in their future lives.