Stars of the Ayeyarwady Delta

Thursday, January 22, 2015

With the golden paddy fields in the background and a concrete-paved main road, Shan Gwin village in Pyapon Township, Delta region has peace and stability, but the village was left in rubble not long ago, after cyclone Nargis hit in 2008.

The small community recovered with the help of humanitarian organizations including World Vision. After the emergency recovery phase completed, World Vision elected to continue its work through development programmes in the area. That was two years ago.

Part of the development process includes capacity building for the community and youth as a core part of sustainability for the future.

“Our group was formed in 2013 with 30 members. It has been over one year now,” says Ei, 20 year-old girl, an active member of the youth group.

“We have a village library and I am taking care of the library together with two other members. We open it every day so that children and youth can come and read the books anytime,” explains Ei.

“I love to read. I share the knowledge that I’ve gained with my friends and children who come to the library,” shares Ei.

“There are some children who come and study their lessons here. I help them so that they understand their lessons well,” shares Ei, who graduated from high school this year.

The youth group has a structure and monthly meetings to share updates. Some parents do not like the group and think that youth are wasting time, so they do not want their children to participate.

“We have a friend called Aye. Her mother insisted that she leave the youth group. We went to her mother and explained about our work and our contributions to community development. In our first visit, Aye’s mother resisted. Her face was so tough,” recalls Ei.

“We had to visit her twice. In the second visit, she came to understand our work and her daughter’s desire not to leave the group. She finally allowed Aye to rejoin our group. We were so happy and also thankful to her mother for letting Aye to rejoin,” Ei smiles.

Three members in the group participate in sponsorship activities as child monitors. They go around the village and monitor the status of children.



“In the past year, we helped three children who were sick and needed medical care. We also helped to send two pregnant women to the hospital in time who needed to give birth by cesarean,” Ei proudly says.

“We have regular meetings. We all participate in the community development work together with the adults. We helped the adults carry bricks and sand to pave the village road. We have gone half-way now, but still need to finish the rest to the main road.”

“We also want to have a big playground for the children. If we have playground, we could also use it to organize the events. I will lead and mobilize youth to work hard. And for the group to be sustainable, we will work to organize a child group to relay the duties so that the group will never diminish,” Ei shares the aim of the youth group.

With purpose and a strong commitment, this hardworking youth group will reach their goal.