A medical student was taking a shower in his dormitory in the jungles of eastern Myanmar when he heard military planes flying over. Wearing only his underwear, he raced to the bomb shelter. But there he faced another danger: the black snake. Grabbing a stick, he killed her before biting her.
“It was terrible,” he said. “The fear of dying from a snakebite is as real as the fear of a bomb.”
Student life at Karenni Medical College, a school established two years ago in rebel-held territory. The campus was built in the jungle by the professors and students themselves, with classrooms and dormitories made of bamboo branches.
For four years, according to anti-junta officials in five regions of the country, Four-year is one of 18 small universities, colleges and academics under 19 years. There are no funds for much-needed equipment and materials, and their facilities are modest. But the hope is that these schools can help lay the foundation for a new democratic society in the country.
“We opened without waiting for the end of the revolution, because young people can change their ways the longer they are interrupted from education, and they can change their ways because they are faced with higher education opportunities,” said Dr. Khant Ko Ko, Founder and President, Myo Karenni Medical College.
Myanmar's civil war has disrupted the rhythms of life in the country. Thousands of people were killed by the military. Tens of thousands more were arrested. Millions became refugees in their own countries. And The economy lies in ruins.
Anti-junta forces are disbandment groups of armed ethnic minorities who have fought the military for years and more recently from the ranks of pro-democracy protesters.
Ethnic rebel forces in the last 15 months they scored numerous victories Rural and anti-junta forces claim control of more than half of the country's territory, prompting optimism among supporters.
But the junta controls Myanmar's major cities and capital, Naypyidaw, as well as the country's wealth and air power. A clear victory, significant international support, a steady flow of ammunition, and a flow of squads with the most important command structure remain inconvenient for the insurgents, a unified command structure, Anthony Davis, Anthony Davis, Anthony Davis, Janes Military Publications Group by Anthy Davis said to be a Bangkok-based security analyst.
The 18 schools, all located in ethnic rebel territory, are recognized by the Shadow National Unity Government, its deputy education minister, Sai Khaing Myo Tun. Students will pay little or nothing.
Educators are also trying to establish a school system for primary and secondary school students living in IDP camps.
Universities and colleges, tens to hundreds, universities and colleges with sciences, liberal arts, agriculture, law, technology, technology, technology, technology, nursing, nursing and music. Some have connections with foreign universities and have sent students to study abroad.
Schools remain as secretive as possible to avoid airstrikes. Some have taken buildings that were partially damaged by the battle. Others are huddled in residential areas or hidden beneath the jungle canopy.
Some students travel to campus from refugee camps where they live with parents and siblings. Others attended the class when they enlisted and did not fight with the rebel forces.
Ta'ang Arts Academy in Shan State, a school dedicated to ethnic culture and music. There are 27 students in the first class. Ngarr Director, Ngarr, said he hopes to preserve local culture while using music “as a tool for the psychological trauma that people living in conflict zones face.”
The biggest problem, administrators said, is a lack of funding to buy equipment, pay salaries and improve facilities.
But everyone lives For fear of Junta Jets and Drones.
“Every day, listening carefully to the sound of aerial bombardments, airplanes and watching the heavenly aspects, listening carefully and watching with excitement,” (and chemistry professor AT) “KARENNI state founder (and chemistry professor) College of Liberal Arts opened in March.
A few days after the 2021 coup, doctors in Mandalay led marches that waved a nationwide civil disobedience movement. Now some of them are trying to establish medical schools in the rebel area.
Khin Maung Lwin, who resigned as chancellor of the prestigious Medical University, Mandalay, founded the School of Medical Sciences in Kachin State in 2023 and identified professors involved in civil disobedience.
The school, which has about 100 students, was forced to close twice when the bomb began to approach. The professor and students temporarily moved to a safer area near the Chinese border, where the students helped care for the wounded.
“Many of these students have gained significant experience in trauma care,” said Dr Xin Maung Lwin.
Nelly Phoe, 22, who plans to become a surgeon, is typical of many students at a medical school in Karenni province, where the second one will open.
His family's home was destroyed by Junta Artillery. His mother and a younger brother live in a refugee camp. Two older brothers are soldiers of the Karenni Nations Defense Force.
But his life is not easy in the jungle medical school.
Once a huge snake slithered near his pillow while he was sleeping. Sometimes, because of its inadequate facilities, a cow bathed in a drinking pond. When drones and planes fly overhead, they quickly shut down, turn off their lights, and run to the bomb shelter.
And if the snakes and air raids weren't enough, he and the other students have to contend with the local cattle that roam the campus and eat their laundry. A veterinarian from the area said that cows can develop an appetite for soap because their diet lacks salt.
Mr Khuu Nay Reh Win winner, a student who encountered a snake shelter in a bomb shelter, said the cows had eaten all but one shirt and the medical scrubs he had given to the school.
“I lost over 10 shirts to cows,” he said.