March 10th-14th, 2009
Looking at the globe; where is Myanmar?
Earlier plans to visit Myanmar were finally realized this past March with Homma Kancho’s exploratory tour. This visit was a surprise visit by design, and Homma Kancho went alone and unannounced. Homma Kancho was interested in learning about humanitarian organizations at work in Myanmar for possible ways AHAN might be able to contribute that are within our means.
After visiting several organizations, Homma Kancho chose the Yadanapon Yeiknyein Orphanage founded by U Margainda. This orphanage cares for about 60 young people, many who have become Buddhist monks in training from a very early age. As a preliminary project, AHAN has pledged to donate 250 kilos of rice per month for the next two years.
With children from the Yeiknyein Orphanage.
Nap time for the children.
A beaming smile is always a good measure of living conditions.
Kids drawing wonderful pictures!
Homma Kancho and I (Nilar) negotiating for rice.
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- Checking the quality of the rice.
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- The delivery truck was a taxi.
Children unload the rice at the temple orphanage.
The rice delivered
Homma Kancho visited more than just orphanages, and spent a great deal of time learning about the life of the common people of Myanmar. From sunrise to sunset Homma Kancho walked the local markets, temples and gathering spots of the people of Yangon.
My name is Nilar Than, and I am an officially licensed tour guide, interpreter and travel coordinator. I have guided many Japanese people visiting Yangon, but I have never had a client with an itinerary like Homma Kancho. Our daily schedule was very busy yet Homma Kancho managed time to visit Myanmar Aikido in Yangon, instructed by U Mya Sein Sensei twice and practiced together for two evenings of classes with Myanmar Aikido students. Sein Sensei practiced in Japan long ago and had actually met Homma Kancho in Japan.
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- From Sein Sensei’s dojo, you can see golden pagodas light the sky from the windows.
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- Homma Kancho and Sein Sensei.
Sein Sensei’s dojo students.
I am a graduate of the World Buddhist Meditation Institute Japanese Language School which is run with donations from many NGO organization in Japan and other countries outside of Myanmar. I look forward to my new position as AHAN Nippon Kan Myanmar Coordinator and will try my best to help with the development of new AHAN projects in my country.
Here are photos and receipts for the April and May rice deliveries to the Yadanapon Yeiknyein Orphanage.
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- Receipt-click to enlarge
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- April rice delivery
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- Receipt – click to enlarge
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- May rice delivery
LINK HERE to see the drawings of the children of Yangon.
Myanmar Photo Album
Tural Learning Center and Monastic Education Schoolnite
Over 1,300 children have been taken care of here at the Kalaywa Tawyakyaung scrip-Tural Learning Center and Monastic Education Schoolnite.
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- Young monks prepare for next day college exams.
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- Beginning at a very young age, this young monk is now 18. These are all of his possessions.
Living quarters of young monks in training.
This young monk studies hard and with a nice smile!
World Buddhist Meditation Institute
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- Graduate Ms. Nilar standing in front of the Institute.
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- The children of Myamar study well.
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- Holding a dictionary, this young monk teaches himself English.
Downtown Yangon
A large church and billboard-influences from the West.
The new and the old strike a good balance in Yangon.
The temples are a place to rest and relax.
Homma Kancho standing in front of sleeping Buddha; Nehan-Butsu.
The origin of the Fudomiyo temple gate guards common in Japan.
The Myanmar people are an innocent and religious people.
Child monks begging for alms.
Homma Kancho in the wholesale markets.
From a quick meal from a street vendor to traditional fine dining,
Homma Kancho can eat just about anything.
Written by
Nilar Than
AHAN Nippon Kan Myanmar Coordinator