About PN2K

The Phyo Nyi Nyi Kyaw Memorial Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit corporation founded and incorporated on August 8, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA to honor the memory of Phyo Nyi Nyi Kyaw, MIT Alum who first arrived at MIT as an international student from Burma. Phyo was actively involved in multiple student groups and cared about various causes. He believed in empowering children through education. He was an avid cyclist, stressed safety in bicycling, and was active in cycling groups around Boston. Phyo was the victim of a fatal truck-collision on Mass Ave & Vassar St on Dec 27, 2011.

MISSION

"THE FOUNDATION SHALL SERVE TO PRESERVE AND PERPETUATE THE MEMORY OF PHYO NYI NYI KYAW WHO MOTIVATED AND INSPIRED THOSE WHO KNEW HIM WITH HIS FOCUS ON EXCELLENCY IN EDUCATION AND DRIVE IN SPORTSMANSHIP. PHYO N. KYAW CREATED AN INCLUSIVE AND LIVELY ENVIRONMENT WITH HIS SENSE OF HUMOR AND INNATE ABILITY TO REACH OUT TO KIDS AND HELP THOSE WITH DIFFICULTIES ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. HIS BRIGHT PERSONALITY LIGHTENED UP THE ROOM WHILE HIS DEDICATION TO THE MANY ACTIVITIES IN WHICH HE WAS INVOLVED CONTINUOUSLY REMINDS FRIENDS TO LIVE RESPONSIBLY AND VIEW LIFE AS AN ADVENTURE. THE FOUNDATION STRIVES TO FULFILL THESE GOALS BY ORGANIZING ACTIVITIES AND FUNDRAISERS THAT WILL, IN THE LONG TERM, CREATE ENDOWMENT FUNDS WITHIN AND WITHOUT THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY COMMUNITY. THESE FUNDS WILL BE USED TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT PROJECTS THAT PROMOTE EXCELLENCY IN EDUCATION, SPORTSMANSHIP, AND PHILANTHROPY AMONG YOUTH."

Articles of Incorporation

Our goal is to ensure we are carrying out the missions of the PN2K Memorial Foundation as described in the Articles of Incorporation. While our long term goal is to set up endowment funds for scholarships and ensure that these funds go towards causes that Phyo cares about, we also work on bike advocacy: The PN2K Foundation Board of Directors also spearheads and advises the MIT PN2K Club, where we promote wellness, happiness, and community through bike safety and repair events.

Phyo Nyi Nyi Kyaw Endowment Fund: Pledging for Phyo

The PN2K Memorial Foundation has plans to begin an endowment fund at MIT named in honor of Phyo. Because Phyo was actively involved and engaged with many divisions of student life, we have plans to establish a "Pledging for Phyo" volunteer advisory group by Summer 2018 composed of folks who will pledge support to this endowment fund. Pledgers will advise on setting up the future endowment fund. We hope that through Pledging for Phyo, we can draw inspiration from collective stories of Phyo and shared memoirs from friends as we learn about the things in life for which Phyo cared deeply. Considering joining the Pledging for Phyo page if you would like to support us.

I want to Pledge for Phyo >
Please email ye@pn2k.org if you would like to begin Pledging for Phyo.

How PN2K works with the MIT PN2K club

The Phyo Nyi Nyi Kyaw Memorial Foundation supports the MIT PN2K Club in making cycling safer for families: we want to revolutionize biking and change the way that people feel and think about biking. The MIT Club exists to improve the quality of your experience while biking outdoors. PN2K and the MIT Club co-organize group rides, bike safety events, repair workshops, and have helped hundreds of cyclists bike more safely on the roads. Our Board of Directors and staff have worked with companies to increase the accessibility of needed biking accessories like lights, helmets, and high-vis shirts for a low cost. The club would like to move towards working with the City to advance public policy and to advocate for safe streets and an improved cycling transport network. With MIT funding support, the PN2K Foundation also develops its youth education outreach programs to instill kids with the basic principles of road safety and respect.

Learn more about the student group MIT PN2K >
Purchase a helmet >