Work has begun on the second phase of Plan's project to rebuild schools in Myanmar following the devastating cyclone that hit the country in May.
The project in the Ayeyarwady delta region, which is the result of a partnership between Plan and Bridge Asia Japan (BAJ), will now see the construction of 8 schools in Mawlamayinegyun.
Three of the schools will each have the capacity to accommodate 500 people in the event of a future disaster.
The project - which has a budget of US$439,000 - is expected to be completed by July 2009.
Building for the future
Cyclone Nargis destroyed or severely damaged more than 3,000 schools, leaving 360,000 children in affected areas without safe places to learn.
To date the project has already handed over 21 schools to community parent-teacher associations and relevant authorities, benefiting thousands of students.
Help for pre-school children
At the same time Plan has partnered with national non-governmental organisation Metta Foundation to construct 14 early childhood care and development centres, which will support the physical and emotional development of pre-school children.
The project will include the construction of 5 disaster-resilient structures in remote areas that will each be able to hold 300 people in the event of a disaster.
Although the project sites can only be accessed via river, which is slowing work, the project is expected to be completed by June 2009.