The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education. – Martin Luther King

CHARIS HOPE LEARNING CENTRE

This is also the goal of education at Charis Hope Learning Centre (CHLC). CHLC began in 2011 as an English class for adult refugees. The goal was to teach them to speak, read and write English fluently which in turn, enables them to obtain better jobs. However, due to work commitments, the adults were not able to attend classes regularly. This setback then led the team at CHLC to focus their efforts on refugee children.

Today, in 2019, CHLC comprises a preschool as well as a primary school with an enrolment of 75 students in constant attendance. Our students consist of Myanmar (Chin and Rohingya), Pakistan, Iraq and Sri Lanka nationals.

In order to establish and uphold high standards in education, CHLC utilizes the Singapore curriculum (regarded as one of the best in the world) for both its preschool and primary school. In addition, CHLC is a recognized learning centre by the United Nations High Commisioner for Refugees (UNHCR). It doens’t end there. At CHLC, we believe that character building is also part of education. Therefore, all student are taught good values to live by such as kindness, integrity, appreciation, commitment, forgiveness, gratitude etc. Apart from this, the CHLC teaching team consists of two full-time teachers and dedicated volunteer teachers.

In 2017, CHLC was presented the ‘Best Teacher’ award by UNHCR. What is significant about all these achievements is this – the Lord’s favour is upon this ministry. As the Bible says in John 15:5 – “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

However, there is still much more to be done. We pray our merciful Lord will lead all of us at CHLC into His deeper purpose so as to glorify Him in more ways than one.