by Linkin Park
I close both locks below the window
I close both blinds and turn away
Sometimes solutions aren't so simple
Sometimes goodbye's the only way
And the sun will set for you
The sun will set for you
And the shadow of the day
Will embrace the world in grey
And the sun will set for you
In cards and flowers on your window
Your friends all plead for you to stay
Sometimes beginnings aren't so simple
Sometimes goodbye's the only way
And the sun will set for you
The sun will set for you
And the shadow of the day'
Will embrace the world in grey
And the sun will set for you
And the shadow of the day
Will embrace the world in grey
And the sun will set for you
And the shadow of the day
Will embrace the world in grey
And the sun will set for you
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Imagine
by The Beatles
Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Singapore? read this first !
I have been noticing that more and more Burmese youths are going to Singapore for further studies and to work there. Due to our country's economic situation, it is understandable that people wanting to go to Singapore for work and study. However, I have been hearing more and more of frauds and unethical behaviours of education and employment agencies.
The advertisements of many small private schools of Singapore can be seen on almost all of Burmese weekly and monthly printed media. I have no reason to object that they advertise on the journals. However, the way they advertise needs to be questioned on ethical ground. Nowadays there are many (MANY!) agencies for Singapore education in Yangon. The way they advertise their Singapore Education service is so unethical that that makes me want to throw up sometimes. Many Singapore schools they represent has many quality issues that even Singaporean Government discredited them by stripping them off the 'Quality Class' recognition. The worst thing is they advertise those schools as 'the best schools for the students' career prospect'. What I want to suggest is to check the status of the school with the Singapore MoE first before making any commitment with either the school or the agent.
For employment, there are many ways to go to Singapore for employment nowadays so do not give your hard earned money to agents easily. If you are a qualified professional such as an Engineer, or business managers, and have a substantial experience you should try EPEC, which stands for 'Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate'. You can apply for it at Singapore Embassy or online free-of-charge! If you are found to be qualified, you just need to apply for an entry visa to Singapore. Arriving in Singapore you can seek EPEC at Singapoe MoM which will allow you to stay and search for a job in Singapore for the period from 6 months to one year.
Even if you are not a qualified professional, you can go to Singapore on a visit visa and look for a job instead of giving an agent thousand dollars. Getting a Singapore visa is not difficult as you think!
The advertisements of many small private schools of Singapore can be seen on almost all of Burmese weekly and monthly printed media. I have no reason to object that they advertise on the journals. However, the way they advertise needs to be questioned on ethical ground. Nowadays there are many (MANY!) agencies for Singapore education in Yangon. The way they advertise their Singapore Education service is so unethical that that makes me want to throw up sometimes. Many Singapore schools they represent has many quality issues that even Singaporean Government discredited them by stripping them off the 'Quality Class' recognition. The worst thing is they advertise those schools as 'the best schools for the students' career prospect'. What I want to suggest is to check the status of the school with the Singapore MoE first before making any commitment with either the school or the agent.
For employment, there are many ways to go to Singapore for employment nowadays so do not give your hard earned money to agents easily. If you are a qualified professional such as an Engineer, or business managers, and have a substantial experience you should try EPEC, which stands for 'Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate'. You can apply for it at Singapore Embassy or online free-of-charge! If you are found to be qualified, you just need to apply for an entry visa to Singapore. Arriving in Singapore you can seek EPEC at Singapoe MoM which will allow you to stay and search for a job in Singapore for the period from 6 months to one year.
Even if you are not a qualified professional, you can go to Singapore on a visit visa and look for a job instead of giving an agent thousand dollars. Getting a Singapore visa is not difficult as you think!
Nargis Relief Trip (2008/06/21)
As planned, we have made our second trip to Dedaye on 21st of June 2008. At first, we were thinking of visit Kyonda, which is located near the mouth of “Ale River” but couldn’t go there due to the time frame and gloomy weather. This time, we visited 5 places and had received a chance to distribute donated items to 8 different villages.
We left Yangon with 2 cars, our very friendly Lite Ace and a dump truck, at about 5 am in the morning.
Our group consists of 23 persons i.e. 11 colleagues and 7 family members, 2 drivers, 3 helpers and 1 Buddhist monk who wished to go to Kune Chan Kone.
One of our friends allowed us to use his Dump Truck for free in order for us to load 2 Power Tillers, engines, 110 Rice bags, 32 bags of assorted clothes, Rubber slippers, blankets, 3 bags of medicines, candles, Chick Pea Bags, salt packets, 9 bags of Exercise books, 1 bag of Text books and stationeries.
We loaded the truck at Yadana Bawdi Buddhist monastery, Lower Mingalardon Road where our friend had received permission to park his 8 dump trucks. Thanks Matt for spending there overnight for the safety of the donated items. We had to leave Sally’s father’s 7 horse powered Kubota Engine as there is no more space in the truck. It will be the first item to be donated in our next trip.
Kaykhine’s cousin in Dedaye advised us that if we would like to go down to Kyonda, we must arrive Dedaye at 7 am in order to cover 4 hours boat trip from Dedaye to Kyonda. But we couldn’t make it for some reasons, a little rain and a little delays.
We stopped at Kune Chan Kone at 8 am and left a Buddhist monk with some Rice bags and clothes to donate for some villages nearby Kune Chan Kone. A monk undertook to distribute stuff to required places.
We reached Dedaye around 9 am. Kaykhine’s cousin feed us “noodle with milk soup” as a quick breakfast.
The taste was excellent and we had 2 bowls each very quickly. We purchased diesel 104 gallons to be donated with the tillers in Dedaye. Once 2 boats were loaded, our trip to Than Phat village tract had began.
We handed 2 tillers and diesel 104 gallons to the village’s heads and the monk, who arranged school for the children in his compound. As they wished to show us they can operate the tillers, we had to wait until they finished fixing the accessories. It was really an exciting moment when we heard the engine start and see their smiling faces. Those tillers will be kept in monastery and allowed farmers to utilize it by paying fees per day for maintenance purpose as well as for the school. It is indeed a very good arrangement.
We donated money to the monk for manual tube well. We found the cost of tube well is very reasonable so we plan to donate tube wells in other villages in the future. They were very happy and very active to start this project. We also donated exercise books, text books and stationeries for the school. They couldn’t rebuild their school for the moment but the place which was given by the monk is ready for this school season. The building was well covered with sheets.
We visited another 3 villages which consist of 6 small villages. In the photos, their beaming faces can be seen easily. Some old ladies opened the plastic bags and wore the blouses right away. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get a chance to catch their photos as our camera men were busy with lifting rice bags. Pa Pa’s little teddy, Pooh bear and Lampi, the elephant are best presents for the kids over there.
The people recalled their peaceful life before Nargis. We understand their situation but are unable to think how they could manage their lives right now. We sympathize their difficulties but we also noted they have strength, hopes and dreams. We believe they can stand up again on their own feet very quickly. We plan to support them as much as we can and will arrange another trip to delta area again. We haven’t decided where/when to go, but we will try to send foods, blankets, books and stationery and other necessities to the places which were affected by the Cyclone.
We arrived back Yangon at about 1100 pm. We were all tired but the cars passing by us could hear the songs from our car. Singing songs is the best medicine to fight “sleepy mode”. It is true. We all are very happy as our second trip was successful. We have to steal some of our private times and arrange to visit there again.
We would like to thank our officers, our colleagues and their families for their continuous invaluable support to our group. We couldn’t make our trips without their helps.
We would also like to thank Essendon Rotary Club, Australia for their generosity and kind-heartedness upon the Myanmar cyclone survivors. We are very grateful for that we were able to donate essential items to the villagers on behalf of the club.
We are also like to thank Amanda Jewell, Sue Nelson, Chris & Trevor Wilson, Ma Mon Maw Maw Win (Muyar’s friend), Uncle Kyaw (Kyaw Min), U Roland Khin Maung Win, Daw Yee Yee Sein (Aunty Nyo’s friend), Ko Myo Min Oo, (Min Thant’s friend), Ma Kyi May Nyunt (Matt’s sis-in-law), U Thein Aung (Min Thant’ friend), Ko Htin Lin Kyaw (Mya’s friend), Aunty Thawder, Aunty Daw Win Myint (Matt’s mom-in-law), Daw Khin May Aye (Matt’s friend) and Ma Thiri and her colleagues for their great contribution in this trip.
There is no words that can represent our thanks to Ko Tun Lin (Ko Paw), Min Thant’s friend for allowing us to use his dumper for free of charge. It saved our fund and helped us to purchase some other required items.
There are some people left who we would like to share our happiness with. They are
1. Friends from Gyoe Phyu Condominium, No. 29 Gyoe Phyu Street, Yangon
2. Myanmar CP Livestock Limited, Mayangone Township
3. U Than Htay and family
4. U Htin Zaw and friends
5. Teachers from Basic Education High School (1) Mayangone
6. Daw Thin Thin Yee and family, Dedaye
We really thank them for their very thoughtful support.
The villages we visited and items donated are:-
Than Phat Village Tract (2400 Acres-Paddy Growing), 450 families, 350 students
- 2 Power Tillers
- Diesel 104 Gallons
- Stationery
- Exercise Books
- Text Books
- Chick Pea Bags
- Candles
- Tube Well (200 ft)
- Rice Bags
Thayagone Village and Kyon Kyat Kyun Village 101 families, 150 students
- Rice Bags
- Clothes
- Blankets
- Exercise Books
Kyon Kyet Village 23 families, 15 students
- Rice Bags
- Clothes
- Rubber Slippers
Kayin Ni Su Village and Ma Ga Nan Village 116 families, 90 students
- Rice Bags
- Chick Pea Bags
- Salt Packets
- Candles
- Rubber Slippers
Zee Phyu Gone Village 548 families, 600 students
- Rice Bags
- Clothes
- Exercise Books
Kyonda Village 2200 families (2000 of them need urgent assistances)
- Rice Bags
- Clothes
- Chick Pea Bags
* As we were unable to visit the village, we transport Rice Bags and other items with Kaykhine’s cousin.
She will organize to deliver the goods to Kyonda.
And 230 Dozens of Exercise Books to Myo Ma Primary School, Dedaye.
Here are the list of our great supporters -
▫ Our officers
▫ Diggers’ Dancers
▫ Ms Amanda Jewell
▫ Ms Susan Nelson
▫ Mr & Mrs Trevor Wilson
▫ Daw Saw Myint Thin @ Sally
▫ U Henry Aung Tun
▫ Daw Thin Thin Mar
▫ Ma Thin Pyie Oo @ Linda
▫ Ma Pa Pa Khine
▫ Ma Mon Maw Maw Win (Muyar’s friend)
▫ U Khin Maung Win @ Roland
▫ Daw Yee Yee Sein (Teacher, BEHS (1) Mayangone)
▫ Daw Mya Thuzar
▫ U Kyaw Min
▫ Ko Soe Myat Maw
▫ Ko Htin Lin Kyaw (Mya’s friend)
▫ Ko Htun Lin (Min Thant’s friend)
▫ U Tint Aung
▫ Ko Myat Minn Htun
▫ Ma Kyi May Nyunt
▫ Daw Myat Thet Thet Aye
▫ U Thein Aung (AAA – Pyi)(Min Thant’s friend)
▫ Ko Myo Min Oo (Min Thant’s friend)
▫ U Khin Maung Thwin
▫ Daw Myat Thet Thet Aye
▫ Daw Saw Myint Thin @ Sally
▫ Ko Min Thant & Mya
▫ Myanmar CP Group
▫ Ma Thiri and the “Art Only” Group
▫ Daw Khin May Aye (Matt’s neighbour)
▫ Daw Win Myint (May Kyel’s mother)
▫ Daw Thawdar
▫ U Tun Lin @ Ko Paw (Min Thant’s friend)
▫ Donation from Yadana Bawdi Monestry, Lower Mingalardon Road
▫ Other Doners
and they donated –
▫ US$ 3,310 ($ 2,000 from Essendon Rotary Club, Australia)
▫ MMK 1,330,000
▫ Ladies Blouses, Ladies Undies, Longgyis, Mens Shirts and other assorted clothes
▫ PP Balms
▫ Shampoos & Toiletries
▫ Exercise Books
▫ Candles
▫ Medicine Bags and
▫ 110 Rice Bags (30 from U Tun Lin @ Ko Paw and 80 from Ma Thiri – Art Only Gallery).
We had purchased 2 Power tillers and accessories, Diesel 104 Gallons, Engine and Gear Oils, Blankets, Text books, Stationery, Rubber slippers, etc.
We left Yangon with 2 cars, our very friendly Lite Ace and a dump truck, at about 5 am in the morning.
Our group consists of 23 persons i.e. 11 colleagues and 7 family members, 2 drivers, 3 helpers and 1 Buddhist monk who wished to go to Kune Chan Kone.
One of our friends allowed us to use his Dump Truck for free in order for us to load 2 Power Tillers, engines, 110 Rice bags, 32 bags of assorted clothes, Rubber slippers, blankets, 3 bags of medicines, candles, Chick Pea Bags, salt packets, 9 bags of Exercise books, 1 bag of Text books and stationeries.
We loaded the truck at Yadana Bawdi Buddhist monastery, Lower Mingalardon Road where our friend had received permission to park his 8 dump trucks. Thanks Matt for spending there overnight for the safety of the donated items. We had to leave Sally’s father’s 7 horse powered Kubota Engine as there is no more space in the truck. It will be the first item to be donated in our next trip.
Kaykhine’s cousin in Dedaye advised us that if we would like to go down to Kyonda, we must arrive Dedaye at 7 am in order to cover 4 hours boat trip from Dedaye to Kyonda. But we couldn’t make it for some reasons, a little rain and a little delays.
We stopped at Kune Chan Kone at 8 am and left a Buddhist monk with some Rice bags and clothes to donate for some villages nearby Kune Chan Kone. A monk undertook to distribute stuff to required places.
We reached Dedaye around 9 am. Kaykhine’s cousin feed us “noodle with milk soup” as a quick breakfast.
The taste was excellent and we had 2 bowls each very quickly. We purchased diesel 104 gallons to be donated with the tillers in Dedaye. Once 2 boats were loaded, our trip to Than Phat village tract had began.
We handed 2 tillers and diesel 104 gallons to the village’s heads and the monk, who arranged school for the children in his compound. As they wished to show us they can operate the tillers, we had to wait until they finished fixing the accessories. It was really an exciting moment when we heard the engine start and see their smiling faces. Those tillers will be kept in monastery and allowed farmers to utilize it by paying fees per day for maintenance purpose as well as for the school. It is indeed a very good arrangement.
We donated money to the monk for manual tube well. We found the cost of tube well is very reasonable so we plan to donate tube wells in other villages in the future. They were very happy and very active to start this project. We also donated exercise books, text books and stationeries for the school. They couldn’t rebuild their school for the moment but the place which was given by the monk is ready for this school season. The building was well covered with sheets.
We visited another 3 villages which consist of 6 small villages. In the photos, their beaming faces can be seen easily. Some old ladies opened the plastic bags and wore the blouses right away. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get a chance to catch their photos as our camera men were busy with lifting rice bags. Pa Pa’s little teddy, Pooh bear and Lampi, the elephant are best presents for the kids over there.
The people recalled their peaceful life before Nargis. We understand their situation but are unable to think how they could manage their lives right now. We sympathize their difficulties but we also noted they have strength, hopes and dreams. We believe they can stand up again on their own feet very quickly. We plan to support them as much as we can and will arrange another trip to delta area again. We haven’t decided where/when to go, but we will try to send foods, blankets, books and stationery and other necessities to the places which were affected by the Cyclone.
We arrived back Yangon at about 1100 pm. We were all tired but the cars passing by us could hear the songs from our car. Singing songs is the best medicine to fight “sleepy mode”. It is true. We all are very happy as our second trip was successful. We have to steal some of our private times and arrange to visit there again.
We would like to thank our officers, our colleagues and their families for their continuous invaluable support to our group. We couldn’t make our trips without their helps.
We would also like to thank Essendon Rotary Club, Australia for their generosity and kind-heartedness upon the Myanmar cyclone survivors. We are very grateful for that we were able to donate essential items to the villagers on behalf of the club.
We are also like to thank Amanda Jewell, Sue Nelson, Chris & Trevor Wilson, Ma Mon Maw Maw Win (Muyar’s friend), Uncle Kyaw (Kyaw Min), U Roland Khin Maung Win, Daw Yee Yee Sein (Aunty Nyo’s friend), Ko Myo Min Oo, (Min Thant’s friend), Ma Kyi May Nyunt (Matt’s sis-in-law), U Thein Aung (Min Thant’ friend), Ko Htin Lin Kyaw (Mya’s friend), Aunty Thawder, Aunty Daw Win Myint (Matt’s mom-in-law), Daw Khin May Aye (Matt’s friend) and Ma Thiri and her colleagues for their great contribution in this trip.
There is no words that can represent our thanks to Ko Tun Lin (Ko Paw), Min Thant’s friend for allowing us to use his dumper for free of charge. It saved our fund and helped us to purchase some other required items.
There are some people left who we would like to share our happiness with. They are
1. Friends from Gyoe Phyu Condominium, No. 29 Gyoe Phyu Street, Yangon
2. Myanmar CP Livestock Limited, Mayangone Township
3. U Than Htay and family
4. U Htin Zaw and friends
5. Teachers from Basic Education High School (1) Mayangone
6. Daw Thin Thin Yee and family, Dedaye
We really thank them for their very thoughtful support.
The villages we visited and items donated are:-
Than Phat Village Tract (2400 Acres-Paddy Growing), 450 families, 350 students
- 2 Power Tillers
- Diesel 104 Gallons
- Stationery
- Exercise Books
- Text Books
- Chick Pea Bags
- Candles
- Tube Well (200 ft)
- Rice Bags
Thayagone Village and Kyon Kyat Kyun Village 101 families, 150 students
- Rice Bags
- Clothes
- Blankets
- Exercise Books
Kyon Kyet Village 23 families, 15 students
- Rice Bags
- Clothes
- Rubber Slippers
Kayin Ni Su Village and Ma Ga Nan Village 116 families, 90 students
- Rice Bags
- Chick Pea Bags
- Salt Packets
- Candles
- Rubber Slippers
Zee Phyu Gone Village 548 families, 600 students
- Rice Bags
- Clothes
- Exercise Books
Kyonda Village 2200 families (2000 of them need urgent assistances)
- Rice Bags
- Clothes
- Chick Pea Bags
* As we were unable to visit the village, we transport Rice Bags and other items with Kaykhine’s cousin.
She will organize to deliver the goods to Kyonda.
And 230 Dozens of Exercise Books to Myo Ma Primary School, Dedaye.
Here are the list of our great supporters -
▫ Our officers
▫ Diggers’ Dancers
▫ Ms Amanda Jewell
▫ Ms Susan Nelson
▫ Mr & Mrs Trevor Wilson
▫ Daw Saw Myint Thin @ Sally
▫ U Henry Aung Tun
▫ Daw Thin Thin Mar
▫ Ma Thin Pyie Oo @ Linda
▫ Ma Pa Pa Khine
▫ Ma Mon Maw Maw Win (Muyar’s friend)
▫ U Khin Maung Win @ Roland
▫ Daw Yee Yee Sein (Teacher, BEHS (1) Mayangone)
▫ Daw Mya Thuzar
▫ U Kyaw Min
▫ Ko Soe Myat Maw
▫ Ko Htin Lin Kyaw (Mya’s friend)
▫ Ko Htun Lin (Min Thant’s friend)
▫ U Tint Aung
▫ Ko Myat Minn Htun
▫ Ma Kyi May Nyunt
▫ Daw Myat Thet Thet Aye
▫ U Thein Aung (AAA – Pyi)(Min Thant’s friend)
▫ Ko Myo Min Oo (Min Thant’s friend)
▫ U Khin Maung Thwin
▫ Daw Myat Thet Thet Aye
▫ Daw Saw Myint Thin @ Sally
▫ Ko Min Thant & Mya
▫ Myanmar CP Group
▫ Ma Thiri and the “Art Only” Group
▫ Daw Khin May Aye (Matt’s neighbour)
▫ Daw Win Myint (May Kyel’s mother)
▫ Daw Thawdar
▫ U Tun Lin @ Ko Paw (Min Thant’s friend)
▫ Donation from Yadana Bawdi Monestry, Lower Mingalardon Road
▫ Other Doners
and they donated –
▫ US$ 3,310 ($ 2,000 from Essendon Rotary Club, Australia)
▫ MMK 1,330,000
▫ Ladies Blouses, Ladies Undies, Longgyis, Mens Shirts and other assorted clothes
▫ PP Balms
▫ Shampoos & Toiletries
▫ Exercise Books
▫ Candles
▫ Medicine Bags and
▫ 110 Rice Bags (30 from U Tun Lin @ Ko Paw and 80 from Ma Thiri – Art Only Gallery).
We had purchased 2 Power tillers and accessories, Diesel 104 Gallons, Engine and Gear Oils, Blankets, Text books, Stationery, Rubber slippers, etc.
Nargis Relief Trip (2008/05/31)
At first we planned to go to delta area on Saturday, 24 May 2008. Unfortunately, we were unable to organise trip on that day due to strictly controlled roads and it was the day for us to vote for Government Referendum. We heard some donor groups were seized by the authority without reasons at that time.
Finally, we had a chance to visit to some villages which were affected by Nargis, with great supports from officers, staff members and their friends. We would like to say special thanks to Kaykhine as she organised car and gave us contact address of the people who are always ready to help donor groups to show the ways to get Nargis affected villages. We definitely didn’t know what would happen if we went down there without their helps. They helped us from the start to the end in our 5 ½ hours boat trip.
At 5 am in the morning of Saturday, 31 May 2008, Matt and Linda picked up canned foods, Chilli powders packets, Biscuits and assorted clothes at the Embassy with Lite Ace Pickup and headed to Myay Ni Gone, Sanchaung to pick up Muyar, Ko Tint Aung and party. After picked them up at Myay Ni Gone, they headed to Bayint Naung Rice Warehouses to meet up with other group. The Lite Ace group consisted Matt, Linda, Ko Tint Aung, Muyar, Ko Phone (Muyar’s husband) and U Maung (Ko Phone’s uncle). At the same time, Sae De, Mya, Min Thant (Mya’s husband), Aunty Nyo (Min Thant’s aunty), and Ko Pauk (Min Thant’s brother) were heading to Bayint Naung with 14 ft Canter to load rice bags and to meet with Ko Tint Aung and party. Ko Myo (Thin Thin’s husband) came and joined us in Bayint Naung Bus stand.
We started our journey at about 8 am. We had some shuffle at this point. Matt, Ko Myo, Sae De and Min Thant followed with the Canter and the rest of us went with the Ace. All went well except 14 ft Canter’s flat tyre problem at Shan Ywa in Twante Township. It took about 45 minutes to replace the inner rear tyer with a new one. We arrived Dedaye at 1130 without any other problems. Kaykhine’s cousin was very much helpful.
She asked her son, Yan Kyaw to follow with us in order to show the way and help us. Yan Kyaw and his 2 friends joined with us in Dedaye. So our group expanded to 20 members.
We hired 2 boats to fit 80 rice bags but we went to the villages together. It was really sad to see hopless faces on the way to the villages nearby Dedaye. Along the river side, we saw many destroyed rice mills with empty warehouses and empty eyes.
The villages we had been were like hidden places and hardly seen from the river. We had to get into a small path to get those places. We had a chance to visit 5 different villages and 2 of them had never been received any assistance from anyone, any group or the government. They looked stunned at first they saw our boats with full of rice bags and strangers. We asked them where we should park our boats and then they realised what we meant. They were so happy when they saw white rice. The most of the unhusked rice they had stored in their houses was swept away by high tide but very few of them remained. They managed to send
those unhusked rice with someone to go to rice mills in Dedaye. After processing, they received yellow colour broken rice. It smells nasty. It causes stomach problems to elders and children.
We saw 2 decaying bodies of buffalos in the river. People said some of them lost their family members, some gone mad, but everyone does not know how to survive. They managed to cremate most human bodies left in the paddy fields but unable to collect all. Some corpses drowned under the river already. The students have nothing to do but to find fish, small river crabs, etc to eat. They have no pencil, no book and no school.
We got back to Yangon around 2030, but the last one to drop was Matt who got home about 2230pm.
Although it was a very tiring trip both to our mind and body, we are planning to go down there again. Due to the lack of time in most weekends and unable to stay overnight there, we have to find another suitable date and time for all of us. The delighted faces there will never fade away from our minds.
The villages we visited and the items we donated are –
Place: Taw Hla Village
Estimated Households: 85 families
Casualties: 5 people and all of the livestock
Houses were swept away by 5 ½ foot high waves. People there have received some clothes and bad yellowed rice before.
Rice Bag 10 bags
Canned Fish 85 cans
Biscuits 87 packets
Exercise Books 20 dozens
Chilli Powders 80 sachets
Clothes assorted
Place: Auk Kwin We' Gyi Village
Estimated households: 70 families
Casualties: 3 people and most of the livestock
All houses were swept away by about 5 foot high waves. People there have received some clothes and bad yellowed rice before.
Rice Bag 9 bags
Canned Fish 70 cans
Biscuits 50 packets
Exercise Books 10 dozens
Chilli Powders * 70 sachets
Ba La Chaung † 70 sachets
Clothes assorted
Sweets, Jellies, etc assorted
* Chilli powder is one of the main ingredients of daily food preparation for Burmese people
† Ba La Chaung is the fried mixture of chilli, pounded dried fish or dried shrimp and fish sauce
Place: Dar Ma Lane Village
Estimated households: 60 families
Casualties: 5 people and 90% of the livestock
All houses were swept away by about 5 foot high waves. People there have never received any foods and clothes.
Rice Bag 11 bags
Canned Fish 60 cans
Biscuits 60 packets
Exercise Books 10 dozens
Ba La Chaung † 60 packets
Clothes assorted
Sweets, Jellies, etc assorted
Buddhist Monastery
Rice Bag 1 bag
Melamine Plates 23 pcs
Thermo-flasks 2 pcs
Ba La Chaung † some sachets
Pone Yae GyiΨ some sachets
Instant Noodles some packets
Canned Fish 2 cans
† Ba La Chaung is the fried mixture of chilli, pounded dried fish or dried shrimp and fish sauce
Ψ Pone Yae Gyi is Soya paste Burmese people cook or mix with onion and oil as a salad
Place: Kyone Hok Village
Estimated households: 145 families
Casualties: 30 people, 80 % of the livestock
All houses were swept away by about 5 foot high waves. People there had received some foods and clothes.
They also received some onion bags, potato bags, clothes and plastic wears also from another donor group arrived the same time with us.
Rice Bag 18 bags
Canned Fish 145 cans
Biscuits some packets
Exercise Books 25 dozens
Ba La Chaung † 60 packets
Clothes assorted
Sweets, Jellies, etc assorted
† Ba La Chaung is the fried mixture of chilli, pounded dried fish or dried shrimp and fish sauce
Place: Than Phat Village Tract (consisting 3 villages)
Estimated households: 450 families
Casualties: 50 people and most of the livestock
All houses were swept away by about 6 foot high waves. People there have received some rice bags, foods and clothes before.
Rice Bag 31 bags
Canned Fish 367 cans
Biscuits all that remained
Ba La Chaung † all that remained
Clothes all that remained
Sweets, Jellies, etc all that remained
† Ba La Chaung is the fried mixture of chilli, pounded dried fish or dried shrimp and fish sauce
We would like to thank our colleagues form office: our officers, Ma Mya Thet, Ma Thin, Ko Soe Soe & Ma Phyo Phyo, Uncle Francis, Ma Sally, Ko Midgie, Ma Khawn Ja, Ehsekhu, Ma Kay Khine, Uncle Thwin, and Ko AM Thein. We know we can always count on you being ready to help those who are in need. Anyway, we really thank them all the same and appreciate their assistance.
We would also like to thank Ko Kyi, Mi Mi and Myat Lay from BC, not only for being good friends for us, but also for their generosity and kind-heartedness. Our thanks to May Kyel and Thiri for they made our contribution reached to the amount we had not initially thought possible. We could help the Nargis victims with the capacity more than what we had intended at first because of their support.
Our thanks go to Daw Thin Thin Yi, Ko Yan Kyaw, Ko Phoe Kyaw and other local volunteers for their most efficient assistance.
We also like to thank Uncle Kyaw, Linda's friend Wai, Ko Kaung Pyae, Ma Muyar's friend Ko Thura, Ko Min Thant's friends Ko Hsan Htun & Ko Htun Lin, and Ko Tint's friend Ko Ye Thein Win.
Finally, we would like to thank our crew members, for without their contribution this trip would not have taken place.
Finally, we had a chance to visit to some villages which were affected by Nargis, with great supports from officers, staff members and their friends. We would like to say special thanks to Kaykhine as she organised car and gave us contact address of the people who are always ready to help donor groups to show the ways to get Nargis affected villages. We definitely didn’t know what would happen if we went down there without their helps. They helped us from the start to the end in our 5 ½ hours boat trip.
At 5 am in the morning of Saturday, 31 May 2008, Matt and Linda picked up canned foods, Chilli powders packets, Biscuits and assorted clothes at the Embassy with Lite Ace Pickup and headed to Myay Ni Gone, Sanchaung to pick up Muyar, Ko Tint Aung and party. After picked them up at Myay Ni Gone, they headed to Bayint Naung Rice Warehouses to meet up with other group. The Lite Ace group consisted Matt, Linda, Ko Tint Aung, Muyar, Ko Phone (Muyar’s husband) and U Maung (Ko Phone’s uncle). At the same time, Sae De, Mya, Min Thant (Mya’s husband), Aunty Nyo (Min Thant’s aunty), and Ko Pauk (Min Thant’s brother) were heading to Bayint Naung with 14 ft Canter to load rice bags and to meet with Ko Tint Aung and party. Ko Myo (Thin Thin’s husband) came and joined us in Bayint Naung Bus stand.
We started our journey at about 8 am. We had some shuffle at this point. Matt, Ko Myo, Sae De and Min Thant followed with the Canter and the rest of us went with the Ace. All went well except 14 ft Canter’s flat tyre problem at Shan Ywa in Twante Township. It took about 45 minutes to replace the inner rear tyer with a new one. We arrived Dedaye at 1130 without any other problems. Kaykhine’s cousin was very much helpful.
She asked her son, Yan Kyaw to follow with us in order to show the way and help us. Yan Kyaw and his 2 friends joined with us in Dedaye. So our group expanded to 20 members.
We hired 2 boats to fit 80 rice bags but we went to the villages together. It was really sad to see hopless faces on the way to the villages nearby Dedaye. Along the river side, we saw many destroyed rice mills with empty warehouses and empty eyes.
The villages we had been were like hidden places and hardly seen from the river. We had to get into a small path to get those places. We had a chance to visit 5 different villages and 2 of them had never been received any assistance from anyone, any group or the government. They looked stunned at first they saw our boats with full of rice bags and strangers. We asked them where we should park our boats and then they realised what we meant. They were so happy when they saw white rice. The most of the unhusked rice they had stored in their houses was swept away by high tide but very few of them remained. They managed to send
those unhusked rice with someone to go to rice mills in Dedaye. After processing, they received yellow colour broken rice. It smells nasty. It causes stomach problems to elders and children.
We saw 2 decaying bodies of buffalos in the river. People said some of them lost their family members, some gone mad, but everyone does not know how to survive. They managed to cremate most human bodies left in the paddy fields but unable to collect all. Some corpses drowned under the river already. The students have nothing to do but to find fish, small river crabs, etc to eat. They have no pencil, no book and no school.
We got back to Yangon around 2030, but the last one to drop was Matt who got home about 2230pm.
Although it was a very tiring trip both to our mind and body, we are planning to go down there again. Due to the lack of time in most weekends and unable to stay overnight there, we have to find another suitable date and time for all of us. The delighted faces there will never fade away from our minds.
The villages we visited and the items we donated are –
Place: Taw Hla Village
Estimated Households: 85 families
Casualties: 5 people and all of the livestock
Houses were swept away by 5 ½ foot high waves. People there have received some clothes and bad yellowed rice before.
Rice Bag 10 bags
Canned Fish 85 cans
Biscuits 87 packets
Exercise Books 20 dozens
Chilli Powders 80 sachets
Clothes assorted
Place: Auk Kwin We' Gyi Village
Estimated households: 70 families
Casualties: 3 people and most of the livestock
All houses were swept away by about 5 foot high waves. People there have received some clothes and bad yellowed rice before.
Rice Bag 9 bags
Canned Fish 70 cans
Biscuits 50 packets
Exercise Books 10 dozens
Chilli Powders * 70 sachets
Ba La Chaung † 70 sachets
Clothes assorted
Sweets, Jellies, etc assorted
* Chilli powder is one of the main ingredients of daily food preparation for Burmese people
† Ba La Chaung is the fried mixture of chilli, pounded dried fish or dried shrimp and fish sauce
Place: Dar Ma Lane Village
Estimated households: 60 families
Casualties: 5 people and 90% of the livestock
All houses were swept away by about 5 foot high waves. People there have never received any foods and clothes.
Rice Bag 11 bags
Canned Fish 60 cans
Biscuits 60 packets
Exercise Books 10 dozens
Ba La Chaung † 60 packets
Clothes assorted
Sweets, Jellies, etc assorted
Buddhist Monastery
Rice Bag 1 bag
Melamine Plates 23 pcs
Thermo-flasks 2 pcs
Ba La Chaung † some sachets
Pone Yae GyiΨ some sachets
Instant Noodles some packets
Canned Fish 2 cans
† Ba La Chaung is the fried mixture of chilli, pounded dried fish or dried shrimp and fish sauce
Ψ Pone Yae Gyi is Soya paste Burmese people cook or mix with onion and oil as a salad
Place: Kyone Hok Village
Estimated households: 145 families
Casualties: 30 people, 80 % of the livestock
All houses were swept away by about 5 foot high waves. People there had received some foods and clothes.
They also received some onion bags, potato bags, clothes and plastic wears also from another donor group arrived the same time with us.
Rice Bag 18 bags
Canned Fish 145 cans
Biscuits some packets
Exercise Books 25 dozens
Ba La Chaung † 60 packets
Clothes assorted
Sweets, Jellies, etc assorted
† Ba La Chaung is the fried mixture of chilli, pounded dried fish or dried shrimp and fish sauce
Place: Than Phat Village Tract (consisting 3 villages)
Estimated households: 450 families
Casualties: 50 people and most of the livestock
All houses were swept away by about 6 foot high waves. People there have received some rice bags, foods and clothes before.
Rice Bag 31 bags
Canned Fish 367 cans
Biscuits all that remained
Ba La Chaung † all that remained
Clothes all that remained
Sweets, Jellies, etc all that remained
† Ba La Chaung is the fried mixture of chilli, pounded dried fish or dried shrimp and fish sauce
We would like to thank our colleagues form office: our officers, Ma Mya Thet, Ma Thin, Ko Soe Soe & Ma Phyo Phyo, Uncle Francis, Ma Sally, Ko Midgie, Ma Khawn Ja, Ehsekhu, Ma Kay Khine, Uncle Thwin, and Ko AM Thein. We know we can always count on you being ready to help those who are in need. Anyway, we really thank them all the same and appreciate their assistance.
We would also like to thank Ko Kyi, Mi Mi and Myat Lay from BC, not only for being good friends for us, but also for their generosity and kind-heartedness. Our thanks to May Kyel and Thiri for they made our contribution reached to the amount we had not initially thought possible. We could help the Nargis victims with the capacity more than what we had intended at first because of their support.
Our thanks go to Daw Thin Thin Yi, Ko Yan Kyaw, Ko Phoe Kyaw and other local volunteers for their most efficient assistance.
We also like to thank Uncle Kyaw, Linda's friend Wai, Ko Kaung Pyae, Ma Muyar's friend Ko Thura, Ko Min Thant's friends Ko Hsan Htun & Ko Htun Lin, and Ko Tint's friend Ko Ye Thein Win.
Finally, we would like to thank our crew members, for without their contribution this trip would not have taken place.
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