Lake Forest resident Hana Ensor, 40, has devoted her life to making education accessible for children in one of the world’s most underserved regions. As a volunteer with Baht Babies Nonprofit Organization, which she helped found in 2017, Hana works tirelessly to provide schools, student sponsorships, and clean water resources in Karen State, Burma—a region deeply affected by decades of civil war.

After living in Thailand for five years teaching English to Karen refugees, Hana saw firsthand the dire need for educational support along the Thailand/Burma border. “Due to a constant civil war in Burma for over 76 years, there is no public educational structure to help various ethnic groups,” she explains. “Baht Babies helps fill that gap for students desperate for an education.”

The organization’s growth since its inception, and since Stroll last featured Baht Babies, has been nothing short of extraordinary. What began with a single school opening in 2020 has expanded into a network of five schools, including two primary schools, two middle schools, and one high school, as well as auditoriums and dormitories to support students who live far from school grounds. Baht Babies also runs a student sponsorship program that provides opportunities for top graduates of their schools to attend secondary school or college near the Thailand/Burma border—an opportunity that would otherwise be financially impossible for many families. "Changing the lives and futures of these students is a feeling that never gets old. Watching them grow, advance, and thrive as they change their future is something I can't describe but can only feel. It is truly remarkable," Hana says. 

Hana recently returned from Burma, where she celebrated the opening of Baht Babies’ fifth school in the rural village of Klay Kee. With the momentum continuing, construction is already planned for two more primary schools in remote villages this year. Hana tells us, "As we continue to educate and empower communities thousands of miles away, we invite anyone interested in supporting our mission to reach out. Together, we can change lives and futures—this work is more than a passion; it is our calling."

While Hana admits the volunteer work is “all day, every day,” she is not alone in her mission. Her husband, Chad, and their three children—Kash (9), Krew (4), and Kane (2)—share in her passion. Chad and Kash have even traveled with her to Thailand and Burma, with Kash accompanying her on two different trips.

The Ensor family has lived in Lake Forest since 2014 and relocated to the center of the neighborhood four years ago. “We love this community,” Hana says, “and we’re grateful for the support and encouragement we’ve received.”

Hana invites others to get involved with Baht Babies through donations, student sponsorships, or simply spreading awareness. “For most of us, access to education is not only easy but often taken for granted,” she shares. “But for thousands of children in Burma, just getting to school is a challenge—and being able to afford it is often impossible. We’re changing that, one student at a time.”

To learn more or to get involved, please contact Hana directly (909) 800-4463, hannahensor@gmx.com. You can also visit the website https://www.bahtbabies.org.