After we'd visited Mount Popa and enjoyed an excellent lunch, it was agreed that we'd visit Ti Pu, one of the villages where 'Road to Mandalay' guests have assisted with funding for school buildings. It had rained earlier in the day and there was concern over whether our bus could make the two-mile trip over an unsurfaced track to reach the village. I expressed confidence that, if necessary, we'd walk from the main road. When we came to the featureless turning to Ti Pu, the bus parked and waited with those guests who were happy to stay on the bus whilst the rest of us set off on foot. In contrast with Mount Popa, it was quite warm and dry so spirits were quite high.
Meanwhile, the Doctor had been making plans on his mobile phone and he announced that the head man at the village was sending transport for us. We carried on walking until a high-pitched buzz announced the approach of a moped from the village, with a monk on the pillion seat. We wondered quite how we'd fit on the moped but, apparently, this was just the advance party to assure us that a larger vehicle was on its way. After a few minutes a large and ancient lorry appeared. Two of us squeezed into the cab and the others scrambled up into the rear. We appreciated the lift but it has to be said that the engine was very noisy and the comfort minimal.
When we arrived at the village, quite a crowd had assembled to greet us. The monastery complex was perhaps the largest building, followed by a government-provided building with a number of classrooms for the primary school. But, to deal with pupils beyond Grade 5, two more buildings (each with two classrooms) had been provided by the 'Road to Mandalay' charity, through the generosity of guests on the ship. About the same sum of money was expended on each of the buildings, but inflation meant that the later building, although serviceable and welcome, lacked some of the refinements of the earlier building.
The earlier 'Road to Mandalay' building at Ti Pu.
The more recent 'Road to Mandalay' building at Ti Pu.
The monk introduced the headmaster and one of the teachers. Doctor Hla Tun translated as the monk and teaching staff had very little English but their eagerness to give the local children the best possible educational opportunities was clear.
The Headmaster of Ti Pu Schools
The Head Monk and one of the Teachers at Ti Pu
In rural areas like this, it's quite common for children to walk for two hours in the morning to reach school and face a similar journey home after school. Classes in the higher Grades may not be available at all, hence the importance of providing assistance to extend existing schools. 'Road to Mandalay' always operate through local monks who are both respected and can motivate local people. Donated money goes quite a long way as, when there's building work to be done, the whole village comes together to help. Government funds for teachers' salary and teaching materials can be erratic and so, when the need arises, the 'Road to Mandalay' charity will try to help.
We spent a little more time with the children and some of the villagers before clambering back onto the lorry for the uncomfortable ride back to our bus, patiently waiting for us on the tarmac road. When you make a visit like this, it's impossible not to be moved by the dignity of these people and natural to want to help in some small way. More pictures of Ti Pu.
