Mudita Foundation
DESIGNING BELONGING, MYANMAR
The Mudita Foundation is a compassionate NGO dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for underprivileged and orphaned children in Myanmar. It operates two significant educational programs: one in Mandalay, assisting approximately 3,000 children, and the flagship project in Nyaung Shwe, located within the serene Htet Ean Gu Monastery, which supports an additional 250 children. This latter initiative stands out as a fully self-sustaining eco-complex, embodying a harmonious blend of environmental consciousness and educational nurture.
Mudita Foundation’s approach to education is holistic and forward-thinking, providing children with access to free, contemporary education. This includes a Waldorf kindergarten, computer literacy classes, and practical life-skills development in areas such as eco-farming, building, and crafts, ensuring a well-rounded and practical education.
Beyond academics, the foundation ensures the well-being of its students by providing nutritious meals and healthcare access. A significant number of students also find a home within the school premises, offering them a stable and supportive living environment. Through these efforts, the Mudita Foundation not only educates but also nurtures and protects, laying the foundation for a brighter future for Myanmar's children.
The challenge
Myanmar stands among the world’s poorest nations, ravaged by enduring internal conflicts and civil unrest. With over a quarter of its population living beneath the poverty line, the challenges are monumental. In this context, Mudita's mission is pivotal—focusing on nurturing a healthy, educated generation that can lead future change.
The Mudita community, encompassing students, teachers, administrative staff, and volunteers, spends significant time together, with many residing within the school's facilities. This communal living underscores the importance of creating a homely atmosphere, where everyone feels welcomed and valued.
For the children, especially those who have faced neglect or have been orphaned, the sense of belonging is crucial to their emotional and psychological development. It fosters a positive self-identity and cultivates feelings of being valued and respected within a family-like and community setting. This sense of belonging is not just beneficial but essential for their growth and development, influencing how students and teachers engage with their environment. They thrive when they feel comfortable being themselves and see themselves as integral members of the learning community.
Designing spaces that cater to this fundamental human need for belonging has proven to enhance engagement and productivity. Mudita’s approach, therefore, extends beyond conventional education, focusing on creating a nurturing, inclusive environment that supports the overall well-being and development of its community.
How might we create a space that promotes a sense of belonging and pride among students, staff and volunteers?
The outcome
Belonging deeply resonates with the idea of finding commonality within a community and connecting with a specific place, fostering a sense of unity and identity. Recognising this, the summer school program of 2020 at Mudita school embarked on a mission to cultivate a sense of ownership and belonging among its community. We assembled a collaborative team of teachers, volunteers, and students, all driven by the shared goal of transforming the Mudita school into a space that felt genuinely communal.
Together, we embarked on co-designing vibrant murals that infused the school with life and a unique identity, turning the walls into canvases that tell the stories of our collective spirit and aspirations. We ventured beyond aesthetics, constructing didactic spaces with plants and bamboo structures. These green spaces not only beautify but also serve as living classrooms where children learn the importance of caring for the environment, forging a deeper connection with nature.
In addition to these physical transformations, we reimagined the school uniform and developed a line of merchandise. These items do more than unify our appearance; they instil a sense of pride and belonging in those who wear them. Moreover, selling this merchandise to visitors opens a new revenue stream for the foundation, supporting our sustainability.
The transformation was met with overwhelming enthusiasm. The visible changes in their environment filled the kids and staff with pride and excitement, reinforcing a strong sense of community. The new spaces and uniforms became symbols of our collective identity and commitment to creating a nurturing, inclusive environment where every member feels valued and connected.
This project consisted of
Design Research
Strategy
Service and Product Design
Delivery
