One of the attractions during the 'Road to Mandalay' Bhamo cruises is normally a trip by private train from Katha to Naba. In 2013, cruises 1 and 2 made the train journey on the Sabbath day, when schools were closed. But on cruise 3, the train journey took place on Tuesday, 17th September, allowing donations to students at the Monastic Secondary School in Katha where there are 352 students and the High School in Naba which has 703 students.
Donation of stationery to the 80 year old abbot who is a founder of the Monastic Secondary School. He has to provide the teachers’ salary himself but, for the first time this year, the Government are providing around 60% of the cost.
Donation of stationery to the headmistress of NaBa High School
Smiling Grade 1 students in their classroom at Naba High School.
Grateful primary students from the Monastic Secondary school in Katha wave their donated stationery to the passing private train as it passes the Monastery compound on the return journey to Katha.
I first travelled on the private train myself in 2010, riding in the locomotive cab, and that journey is described here (with links to pictures and more technical descrptions of the journey). I made the trip again in 2012 and that trip is described here.
