The Phan Foundation says it is pleased to announce that Naw Hay Thi Dew, a headteacher at a school in Kawthoolei (Karen State), is the recipient of the 2022 Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader Award. The award is given annually to recognise young Karen leaders and provide a $4,000 grant to support their work.
The award was given last week.
The Phan Foundation was established in 2008 by the four children of Padoh Mahn Sha Lah Phan and Nant Kyin Shwe, in their memory. It provides grants towards education, poverty alleviation, promoting human rights and protecting Karen culture.
Naw Hay Thi Dew is a headteacher with the Karen Education and Cultural Department. Under her leadership, the school was extended to a junior college in 2018 and has expanded from 82 students and 10 teachers to 700 students and 30 teachers and provides leadership courses for young people.
Naw Hay Thi Dew stated: “I am very thrilled to receive this precious award, as this award recognises and supports young leaders who are working hard on the ground for the development of their community. This award means so much to me as I really admire pu Padoh Mahn Sha, his principles, his leadership, his works, and his writings. They are the strength and guiding light for me.”
“I would like to encourage other young leaders to be strong and to work hard in building our own leadership skills so that we can work effectively for our community. I would especially like to encourage other young women leaders, we can do it, our leadership can make a difference in our community, our organisation and in our struggle for freedom. I would like to urge the Karen National Union to guarantee spaces for women leadership in every level of administrations.”
The Karen Student Network Group (KSNG) nominated Naw Hay Thi Dew and described how she inspired both teachers and students.
“Naw Hay Thi Dew is a great example and role model for other young people, especially young women, to get involved more in community work and to take up leadership roles. Her ability and her leadership have inspired many young women in our communities not just in education sector, but also in other
social sectors. At KSNG, we are very impressed and inspired by Naw Hay Thi Dew’s hard work, her sacrifice for our people, her leadership and her ability to lead, to motivate and to encourage others.”
Nant Zoya Phan, co-founder and Director of the Phan Foundation stated: “Naw Hay Thi Dew is a remarkable and outstanding young leader who deserves recognition and support. Her leadership shows how young woman leaders can make a difference in our community. This is how we would like our father Padoh Mahn Sha to be remembered, as someone who promoted and supported young effective leaders like Naw Hay Thi Dew. This award continues his work.”
The 2022 Padoh Mahn Sha Young leader award was presented to Naw Hay Thi Dew at the commemoration of 73rd Karen Martyrs ’Day event in Taw Oo District on 12 August 2023.
