The occasional and probably unreliable recollections of an aging female.
11th November 2010
Four guests from the 'Road to Mandalay' visited Pon School on 11th November 2010 to distribute stationery.
There are 155 students, extending from Nursery to Grade 8.
Helped by the Headmaster and Teachers, each student received two exercise books and three pencils.
16th October 2010
On 16th October 2010, Dr. Hla Tun visited a number of villages on the way from Bagan to Mount Popa for survey purposes.
The villages of Kaung Nyo, Da Hat Kan, War Khing Gyi and In Chaung were being examined for suitability to receive new buildings funded by donors. At Kyoon Khing Gyi, a new building is already under construction, donated by guests from Australia.
Prior to this visit, the area had been subject to unusually heavy rain storms lasting over two weeks, making communication difficult. Normally dry areas became raging torrents - near Bagan a diesel locomotive and coaches were derailed! Young people continuing education after 5th grade frequently have to travel long distances on foot daily from their home village to the nearest school providing secondary education. Tragically, fatalities occurred involving young people being swept away by the water.
The flood water brought with it massive amounts of sand which, of course, were left behind after the waters receded.
Because of these hazards, many teachers and parents are keen to provide for local schooling beyond Grade 5 to avoid the time-consuming and sometimes dangerous daily commute undertaken by young people.
13th February 2010
The village of Chauk Kan in Myanmar is about 14 miles from Bagan. It lies on a side road branching from the road from Bagan to Mount Popa, about 45 minutes by car from Bagan.
A headmaster and eight teachers currently look after 271 students, up to 9th Grade. The Government provide salaries for only 5 teachers, covering up to 5th Grade. The other teachers are funded by payments from students of 700 Kyats per month in 6th and 7th Grade and 1,000 Kyats per month in 8th and 9th Grade. Grades 6 to 9 are open to pupils from two neighbouring villages where there is no local provision above 5th Grade.
The school in Chauk Kan was short of accommodation (the total population in the area is over 2,000) so the RTM Charitable Initiative planned a new building in 2009 which was funded by Mr. and Mrs. Henseler from Germany. The new building is about 25 feet by 40 feet with brick walls and zinc coated steel roof.
The opening ceremony was carried out by Mr. James B. Sherwood, Dr. Shirley Sherwood and a volunteer RTM Guest on 13th February 2010. Following the ceremony, an exercise book and three pencils were distributed to each of the 271 pupils and longyi were donated to 8 teachers and 3 headmasters. Prizes were awarded to outstanding students in each grade and a meal of noodles was provided for all the pupils. There was a tour of the school and the pupils put on a concert in the school compound.
