In an earlier post ('Road to Mandalay' co-operation with other organisations) I described how the United Nations Childrens Fund ('UNICEF') had withdrawn funding from the Orphans and Vulnerable Children ('OVC') Project in Myanmar. I also explained that a German Foundation which provides help for HIV affected children, with local assistance from Doctor Hla Tun, started to provide funding in 2012 to allow the 'OVC' project in Myanmar to continue its work.
The 'OVC' Project in 2013
Between the 31st May and 2nd June 2013 (during the 'Road to Mandalay' 'off season' for 2013), Doctor Hla Tun visited Mon State and villages within Tha Nin Thar Yi Division to provide assistance to the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Project. The Project includes HIV infected children, HIV affected children and children whose parents can’t afford for them to attend school.
These children are helped by providing school enrolment fees and stationery. Twice a year a Forum is arranged providing snacks and cold drinks. Material and moral support is also provided to the Education Car Provider - the Self Help Groups ('SHG').
In the 2012-13 academic year, help was provided to 446 'OVC' students but in the 2013-2014 academic year (starting on 3rd June 2013) this number was raised and 758 'OVC' students were helped.
The distributions for 2013-2014 were made during Doctor Hla Tun's visits to Maw La Myaing City and Mu Don Township (included in Mon State) and the villages of La Mine and Kod Dut (included in Yaye township within Tha Nin Thar Yi Division). The numbers of 'OVC' students assisted at each location are:-
Maw La Myaing: 288Distribution at Mu Don
Mu Don: 142
Kod Dut: 202
La Mine: 126
There are three Drop In Centres ('DIC') in Mu Don township (part of Mon state). Students from those centres came to the Win Sein Taw Ya Pagoda Compound on 1st June 2013 to receive support for the academic year 2013-14. Students were given school enrolment fee, stationery, a cold drink and a snack.
Distribution of support to OVC students at Win Sein Taw Ya Pagoda Compound.
The Win Sein Taw Ya Pagoda houses the World's Largest Reclining Buddha.
The World's Largest Reclining Buddha.
Incidentally, I visited the World's Largest Reclining Buddha in 2012 and that visit is described here. My photographs of this remarkable construction are here.
Distribution at Kod Dut
Distribution of stationery, snacks and drinks was made at the Drop In Centre ('DIC') in Kod Dut village on 1st June 2013.
Distribution of stationery, snacks and drinks at the Drop In Centre in Kod Dut village.
The Mon Ethnic Temporary School is about 5 miles from Kod Dut. It was founded by a Monk, has five classrooms and is recognised by the government.
Mon Ethnic temporary School.
Very poor Mon students attending the school were invited to Kod Dut on 1st June 2013 to receive stationery. They travelled from their school in the Monk's white pick-up, wearing the traditional Mon ethnic costume of white and red. The girls cheeks were covered with thanaka (the creamy, natural make-up and sun-screen made from the Thanaka tree), rather than cosmetics.
Students from Mon Ethnic temporary School.
