Myanmar Orphanage 2014

Dear friends.

We are just back from our fifth visit to the orphanage at Pylone Chantha in Myanmar.

 

Every year as we walk down the approaching lane, we are a little nervous about how this year's visit will turn out. But as we go in, we immediately get that lovely warm feeling, seeing a surge of happy smiles appear on the children's faces as soon as they see us. They run over to us and we are ladden down with so many hugs. We are brought up stairs accompanied by all the children to the Sayadaw's room. At first we are all a little shy but then with our few words of Burmese, their basic english and lots of smiles, we once again feel like family. We are shown around proudly as they have done some work to the place by adding a new floor. It is so basic, only concrete and with a roof so low, that you can touch the ceiling with your hand. But they are happy, as there is a little more space for every one.

This year we spent 9 days with them. We could see that all 36 children are being well cared for.  They are all growing up strong and all going to school. They live as one family and take care of each other.

 

During our visit they were given the use of a jeep by a local business man. With Raoul as the driver we organised 3 day-long excursions. We crammed as many children as possible into the jeep and brought them to the sea for the first time, which was so exhilirating. We explored temples located in caves and on hill tops with lots of wild monkeys, and stopped in places where they had children activites.  On two occasions along the journeys we stopped to visit solitary monks who live a secluded life in the forest. One of them showed us tricks he had taught his cat. (See video for reference) They did not speak english but the peaceful energy from them is quite memorable still to this day.

Although it remains very basic, we are still very happy the way the place is run and with the improvements they have managed to make, especially regarding the sleeping facilities for the boys and girls. We can notice a definate improvement in the appearance of the children, due to a better diet. They still have the same 3 teachers who are very dedicated and loving to the children and quite a few of them are now attending the local high school.

We would like to thank you all for your continued support that will help the future of these orphans in need.

Myanmar Orphanage Update August 2013

It is now five years since we came upon and decided to support Pylone Chantha orphanage and primary school, run by two monks.

Although it is still remains very basic, we are very happy with the improvements and stability that has been achieved.

This year, thanks to all the contributions we received, when we visited, they were very proud to be able to show us that they had finally taken down the rotten old leaking roof over the sleeping area, done an extension and installed a new roof.

See photos for reference.

Our first priority remains the children's education. With four full time teachers, the primary school now provides proper education and can follow the national curriculum. It also welcomes children from the surrounding area.

There are still around 36 orphans in residence. Over the year, some left and some new little ones arrived. Although it originated as a monastry with only boys, due to the necessity, after Hurricane Nargis five years ago, they also took in little girls. Despite this being untraditional, we insisted that they continue to take in little girls as well as little boys.

This year seven of the children graduated from the primary school and are now going to an outside national secondary school.

Overall, we still really love the place. They are very humble in their lifestyle and happy. Now the children have become at ease with us. They are very affectionate. They always sit right beside us and hold our hands. We play english educational games with them and help them discover all the new books and flash card games we brought with us, to encourage them to learn english.

This year for the first time, we took six of them out one afternoon for a walk through the town. Since they do that walk daily for their alms collection, they are very well known and everybody wanted to know what they were doing with us. We could feel that they were so proud to have us as their friends.

The Sayadaw (Head Monk) and the children would like to express their gratitude to everyone who has helped their cause. They still get no other funding from any official source.

In April, we will once again be holding our annual fundraising dinner at Hibernia, and we also welcome any donations throughout the year, if you would like to take part in this project.

Mary Pat and Raoul

Alms collection

The Children

New construction & courtyard