World Vision was chosen as the charity of the first Yangon international marathon, making history as over 1,000 runners set off to complete their course before daybreak on 27 January, 2013. Our staff turned out enforce to support the race. Some were manning the World Vision tent, set up to introduce World Vision and our work to the hundreds of visitors attending the event. Others worked hard to present every marathon runner with a special World Vision T-shirt honouring their achievement, while the most athletic ones even joined the run. A marathon achievement
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A marathon achievement - World Vision International World...World Vision was chosen as the charity of the fi rst Yangon international marathon, making history as over 1,000 runners
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World Vision was chosen as the charity of the fi rst Yangon international marathon, making history as over 1,000 runners set off to complete their course before daybreak on 27 January, 2013. Our staff turned out enforce to support the race. Some were manning the World Vision tent, set up to introduce World Vision and our work to the hundreds of visitors attending the event. Others worked hard to present every marathon runner with a special World Vision T-shirt honouring their achievement, while the most athletic ones even joined the run.
A marathon achievement
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Chris Herink, National Director of WV Myanmar completed not one, but two races that morning: soon after finishing the 10km race, he joined his family -- Jennifer and sons James and Thomas -- to run another 3km around the majestic Shwedagon pagoda.“I decided to sign up for the run because I wanted to be an active participant. I enjoy running, but I do better when there’s a fixed goal in mind. And peers to cheer me on,” he added.All the proceeds from the marathon went to World Vision and four other, local charities selected by the event sponsors. The money raised for World Vision that morning will benefit children whose parents would otherwise struggle to keep them educated. Those families will be able to take out an education loan through World Vision’s microfinance programme this coming year, thanks to the supporters of the marathon. “We are grateful for being selected as one of the charities of the marathon,” said Chris. “This event was a great opportunity to raise awareness of our programmes in Myanmar. Also, it was wonderful to be there and to contribute to the morning’s programme as part of the community we live in.”
“The army is not a place for children,” was the message articulated by over a dozen teenage boys gathering for three days in Yangon. Recruited illegally while they were minors, each boy had a first-hand experience of spending time in the army.From January 13 to 15, these former child soldiers shared their moving stories with each other, and collectively developed messages, which on the last day they presented to a group of government officials.Stop recruiting children under 18 into the army! Release those children who serve in the army. Take proper action against recruiters and brokers – these were the key demands they articulated through drama and paintings.“I am really happy,” said Maung Tun, a 17-year-old boy who was released from the army earlier this year. “We can freely share our feelings and learn a lot from each other. Stage performance is very new for me, so I was a bit frightened at first but as it went on I felt better,” he said.Maung Tun was forced into the army by brokers when he was 14. “Brokers and, in some cases, army recruiters often target minors who are easy to trick and threaten,” said Dr Ohnma Win Pe, Protections Manager of World Vision Myanmar. “For example, children are often asked whether they have a National Identity Card. If the answer is no, they are threatened with imprisonment and finally end up at recruitment centres. Many children are promised well-earning jobs but are
tricked into the army. For sure, many are threatened during the process. Effective prosecution of those brokers and recruiters are needed if we wanted to tackle this issue.” said Dr Ohnma. This gathering comes at a time when the government of Myanmar has undertaken to working closely with the UN to release minors from the armed forces and prevent further recruitment of soldiers under the age of 18. The 15 former child soldiers present were all released by the Myanmar army between 2010 and 2012.Dr Ohnma, whose team organized the gathering, said this event was an important part of the reintegration process.“We support them to get their normal lives back. We also try to equip them so they become advocates for us,” she explained. During the three-day event, these young men learned about child rights and various life-skills, including knowing and managing emotions, making decisions and preparing for the future. They now know how to speak up against the dangers of underage recruitment, which is an important part of raising awareness about the issue among young people and authorities. “We are very pleased and would like to thank them for actively participating in this kind of event, and believing that they are active contributors to their society,” Dr Ohnma said.The event was organized by World Vision Myanmar and funded by UNICEF and the European Commission.
ECCD teacher Daw Than Than Win, 45, says, “The ECCD Centre is a safe place for the children of working parents from Hlaingtharya.” Children can learn basic reading, writing, manners, poems, songs and communication skills under the supervision of trained caregivers. “Because most parents must both work, and there are often younger siblings in the family, the ECCD Centre is safe place where children can learn and have friends. We accept children from vulnerable families, our highest priority being families where both parents are working. We now have 40 children and three teachers, with plans to hire more teachers,” said Daw Than Than Win.World Vision supports the teacher’ trainings and salaries, along with chairs, tables and toys for the learning corners, and kitchen utensils. World Vision also provides daily snacks for good nutrition. Monthly fees are 1,000 kyats ($1 US) for entrance, and 1,000 per for month, making this option convenient for vulnerable families in the area. Daw Swe Swe talks about changes she’s seen in her grandson. “Phone Myat Thu has changed a lot after joining the ECCD Centre. He was sometimes naughty at home and reluctant to listen to his parents. But now he’s learned some manners, communication skills, how to make and deal with
World Vision’s Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Centre at the Hlaingtharya area development programme
benefits the community’s children and families.
friends and has changed a lot. The teachers show them how to eat properly and to use the toilet, so children are more independent and ready for school. Moreover, it’s easier for the children when they go to school because they’ve learnt basic reading and writing skills. In the beginning, my grandson couldn’t even hold a pencil properly. Now he can write. I am so pleased about that.”“We really appreciate World Vision for supporting and establishing the ECCD Centre in our community so children can safely learn while their parents are working, and it’s convenient and affordable for the families,” she adds.Six-year-old Phone Myat Thu says, “I am happy to come to the ECCD. I have many friends here and the teachers are very kind to me.”
Safe space for Safe space for children with children with working parentsworking parents
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Min Min loves adventures. He dreams of going abroad and working there. As the eldest son of the family, he feels it’s his duty to take care of his parents and two younger sisters, and he’s disappointed by what small money he can earn in his homeland. But Min Min knows well the dangers of adventure-seeking.In 2003, when he was only 17, Min Min met a man who told him that he could help Min Min get a job in Thailand. “I was so excited when he told me I could get a well-paid job. He was like my brother. I always helped him when he got into trouble and he had been staying at ours for months. So I believed what he said,” he recalls.Without knowing that he was sold to an Indonesian fishing boat, Min Min bade goodbye to his family and left home to fulfill his dream. He left Kawthoung and went to Thailand. There, he got on a fishing boat.
“God, lead me home!”Min Min went to Thailand at the age of 17 in the hope of a better job opportunity. However, his dreams were shattered when he was sold to a fi shing boat.
“At first, I didn’t even know where I was. They told me I could get a better pay on a fishing boat. I thought I had to work in Thailand, but in fact, I was sold to a company in Indonesia. It was like living in hell. Sometimes, I had to work the whole night. It was very tiring. And they didn’t give me proper clothes, boots and any safety equipment. It was really dangerous,” says Min Min.Min Min wanted to go home. He missed his family so much but it seemed there was no way for him to escape. He prayed day and night, waiting for a miracle to happen.“They threatened me that they would torture and kill me slowly if I ever tried to escape. Yet I kept on trying. Until once, I made it! I ran into the forest, and kept on running for three days without food, clothes or shoes. The only things I had with me were a small knife and a lighter. After three days without any food, I had no strength to run anymore. When I passed by a farm, thank God, I found some food. With my knife, I dug some sweet potatoes, baked them and ate,” he narrates his adventure.Finally, Min Min reached a small village on one of the islands of Indonesia. But, home was still far far away for Min Min.“As I had no legal travel documents, nor anything to prove my identity, it was impossible for me to go home. I did odd jobs and tried to survive. Meantime, I tried to contact my family who thought I was dead. All these years, my one and only wish was to go home. I prayed and prayed. I prayed to God that even if I could not return while I was alive, let me be home just before I die. I saw a lot of illegal Myanmar migrant workers in Indonesia. Our stories might different, but all are sad stories. We are forced to work, sold without our knowledge, threatened and exploited. We all have one thing in our hearts: to go home and be with our families. I did odd jobs and saved money with the hope of returning home one day. After nine years in Indonesia, working, struggling to survive while hiding from the police, I managed to get into contact with my family and made my way home,” he shares.
“I am thrilled to be with my family again. I thank God for that. But my happiness is not complete. I feel sad for thousands of Myanmar people who are still struggling to survive and to return home. They are hopeless and helpless. I would like to request the government officials and policy makers to help these people. I would like to ask the Myanmar government to sign a memorandum of understanding with the governments of Indonesia and Malaysia to protect Myanmar migrant workers in those countries and to stop modern day slavery. Human trafficking is one of the worst crimes. We all need to work together to combat the worst crime of our days. If we, the government, public, each and every one of us join our hands and work together, I do believe that we can eradicate human trafficking,” Min Min says.
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Name: Human BeingHe had no proper name until he was15 years old, making citizenship and other basic rights off limits to him. People call him “Kala” because of his dark complexion, a general description for people from the Indian subcontinent west of Myanmar. He has four siblings and his father is a trishaw driver and an alcoholic whose income barely covers beverages and trishaw rental charges. His mother makes a small income washing clothes while also tending to a toddler at home. They live in a small learn-to built behind some houses. They barely have enough money to eat, let alone send the children to school.“A name is not important for us. My sisters are also called ‘Bald Headed’ or ‘Distended Abdomen.’ People who live near the place we collect rubbish call us differently. I am not the only one who has been called names. A name doesn’t matter. To find money and to eat are more important to us,” he explained during a World Vision-initiated discussion about children’s rights. He continued by saying even
his parents call him different names including, Hite Kaung (hi boy), or even ‘dog,’ when drunk. His friends called him Kauk Kawe (curled), Chae Bike (dirty belly) and Myat Pyue (extracted eye). He didn’t care about his name until he met people from World Vision.Together with his friend, he arrived at a place under a tree near the market where World Vision operated an outreach center for street children. During an introduction session where children clapped and said their name, he didn’t know how to describe his name when it was his turn. He recalled, “I wanted to cry. I had never thought of my own name until then.” After that, he and his friend learned how to write and, again, the issue of their names came up. He became very sad and wanted to know what his real name was. He remembers being told that children have rights, and that names and registration represent the identity of a person. With the help of World Vision staff, he discussed the issue with his mother. He chose his name as Nyein Chan (peace). His family also chose names for all of his siblings. Nyein Chan went with his parents to the local
administrative office and changed the family names on the registration form. (Having a registration form is important evidence in order to gain citizenship, but it doesn’t necessarily guarantee it. In Myanmar you still need to have a National Registration Card to be a citizen. The local authorities, along with community-based child protection group members, welcome them and call them by their names.But the story doesn’t end there. Nyein Chan encouraged his closest friend, who had a similar experience in choosing a name, and he now calls himself Aye Chan (also meaning peace). This transformative story has had a great impact on the boys. When they visit the World Vision-operated Child Friendly Center now, both sign their new names on the attendance sheet. With applause from friends and facilitators, Nyein Chan joyfully and confidently participates in World Vision activities for street children.The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Article (7)The right to have a name from birth and to be granted a nationality
The Kachin conflict has continued to escalate, with an estimated 80,000 people having fled their home villages for safer locations since June 2011. Many families who living in temporary camps in Waing Maw township have been displaced for over 18 month. “This conflict has destroyed lives and livelihoods, damaged infrastructure, and disrupted many children and families,” said Win Zin Oo, Head of Humanitarian Emergency Affairs at World Vision Myanmar. “We are working with local authorities and other partners to offer assistance to families who most need it, without discrimination, regardless of race or religion.”World Vision has so far delivered much needed aid to internally displaced people living in 14 camps in Waing Maw and along the Chinese border. Blankets, mosquito nets, cooking and hygiene kits were distributed to 600 families this past year, while another 5,791 people have received blankets and warm clothes for the winter season. To cope with the ongoing demands, World Vision has also erected shelters for 250 people and built 25 latrines. In addition, another 220 families were supplied materials for a temporary shelter.“We have plans to expand our operations and work more closely with local partners on the ground,” said Win Zin Oo. “The humanitarian situation changes all the time, and we need to be attentive to it – whether it’s regarding security on the way to the camps or the need for closer coordination with other humanitarian agencies involved in the relief.”
World Vision director visits IDP campMoved by the increasing humanitarian challenges in Kachin state, Chris Herink, National Director of World Vision Myanmar flew to Kachin state in early February to get a firsthand view of the camps, meet with local partners, and encourage World Vision staff. “In each of the 6 camps that we visited, I was grateful to learn that the basic needs are being met. Each of the locations has a functioning management committee which meets on a regular basis for monitoring and planning,” said Chris. “The most significant issue is access to greater amounts of potable water. We have plans to work with the management committees to construct eight more wells.”“I was struck by how close the conflict is to the camps,” Chris continued. “Many families I met are from villages only 10-12 miles away. In fact, I met a little boy, whose nickname is Kji Zan, or ‘Bullet’ in English. His mother gave birth to him to the sound of gunfire about a year ago, which forced them to seek shelter in the camps soon after.”“People clearly long to return to their homes. Many have been living in temporary shelters since June of 2011. They’re hopeful that the current rounds of peace negotiations will be successful and they can return to their villages. I pray that peace comes to them soon. And in the meantime, we will do everything to provide them with all necessary assistance.”
Nutritious meals for childrenThe World Vision nutrition centre in Kyan Dan ward, Amarapura Area Development Programme, brings joy and healthy life to the children and their families. Thida Aye, 23, the eldest of nine siblings is very grateful as her two youngest brothers can have nutritious meals at the centre. While her parents are earning the family’s living by doing odd jobs, Thida Aye takes all the responsibility of looking after her younger brothers and sisters. “As a very big family, we struggle to survive on our parents’ little income. When World Vision opened this nutrition centre, I brought my two youngest brothers so that they can have good meals. They enjoy the meals here. As the one who cooks at home, I’m also learning how to prepare low-cost nutritious meals at World Vision’s health education and nutrition trainings,” she says.
Families practice hygiene behavioursWorld Vision promotes the health knowledge and hygiene practices in the communities of Amarapura Area Development Programme. Daw Thida Oo, mother of five, says she practices good hygiene now, after attending World Vision’s health education sessions with her family. “Before, we didn’t even have a latrine at home and my children often suffered from diarrhea, especially in the rainy season. After attending World Vision’s health education sessions, I’ve realized that using a fly-proof latrine is very important for our health. With World Vision’s support, a fly-proof latrine was built at our house. And I told my children to wash their hands before and after eating, after playing and after using the toilet,” she shares enthusiastically while she is teaching her seven-year-old daughter, Pyae Sone Lwin, eight easy handwashing steps.
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The transformation of a shy little boyYan Htet Naing, 4, is happy to attend the Early Childhood Care and Development Centre which is in Chanmyathazi Area Development Programme. His 58-year-old grandmother has been taking care of Yan Htet Naing ever since his parents died of malaria three years ago. “My grandson was very shy and didn’t talk much at home. I wanted him to communicate with others and make friends. That’s why I sent him to the centre,” says Daw Ma Gyi, Yan Htet Naing’s grandmother. Yan Htet Naing is now a popular boy at the ECCD centre. “I love playing with my friends. I also like singing, reciting poems and listening to stories,” he says.
Non-fromal education, second chance for learningMay Thu Aung, 12, enjoys studying at World Vision’s non-formal education (NFE) class. When her parents died, May Thu Aung went to stay with her mother’s sister. “I dropped out of school after grade six as I couldn’t catch up on lessons at school. I am happy to attend this class because the teachers are very kind and they explain again and again till I understand. So I can follow the lessons now. I like drawing pictures. I’m so happy that I made many friends in the class,” she says with a smile. Children who dropped out of school due to their families’ financial problems are now enjoying their second chance at learning at World Vision’s non-formal education (NFE) centre in Mya Yee Nandar ward, Chanmyathazi Township. At the NFE centre, they learn reading, writing, mathematics and life skills such as decision making, managing emotions, communicating with others and setting life goals. There are about 20 children whose parents are odd job workers who attend regularly.
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Relief News
Hlaingtharya fi re affected families relief assistance
Family kits and non-food items have distributed to 110 affected households including 97 children. As World Vision has pre-positioned 1000 family kits in the warehouse for emergency, relief items can be promptly distributed to the families effectively. World Vision has distributed blankets, mosquito net, bed sheet, clothing, cooking utensils and family kits, total cost of 5,053,950 kyats (US dollars 5945) to affected families.With the support of Humanitarian Emergency Affairs Division, Hlaingtharya Area Development Programme provided relief assistance to the fire affected families of Ward Five, Hlaingtharya township on 8th February 2013.Fire broke out in the evening of 3rd February 2013. 25 houses were destroyed and 110 families were affected.