WVI Board Executive Committee visits Myanmar

The second week of February was a special and busy week for World Vision Myanmar staff. The WVI Board Executive Committee, consisting of members from many different countries, gathered in Myanmar for their annual meeting.

On February 10th, the 7 members of the Executive Committee along with spouses and family members visited Hmawbi Township. Though only 1.5 hours drive from central Yangon, it was a world away from the bustle and development of the city.

The Executive Committee members visited an early childhood care and development centre to observe children learning through play. Time in a radish field illustrated the connection between income generation and financial support to the center.

The Committee members met a community-based organization (CBO), volunteers working with World Vision’s guidance, to explore how the CBO manages community development work.  The CBO shared “spider diagrams” to illustrate different dimensions of their capacity.

The visit continued to a Rural Health Centre which serves people from seven villages. There, the group met pregnant mothers, who were learning about pre- and post-natal care. 

Two microfinance clients showed their successful flower growing businesses, enabled by multiple loans from World Vision.

Finally, the Committee members had a chance to meet with sponsored children. One child showed all of the letters she had received from her sponsor. And then she prayed for our President and CEO!

“I am proud to share these positive examples of transformation with the Executive Committee members,” said Agnes Ting, World Vision’ East Asia Regional Leader.

“Our work is only possible through the faithful commitment, deep experience, and humble service of the World Vision Myanmar staff,” said Chris Herink, National Director of World Vision Myanmar.

“I was very excited when I first heard about the visit of the Board members to my ADP.  As a manager, I am proud to present the work that we have done for the children and the communities. All the tiredness has gone away when I saw the special guests satisfied with our work,” said Aung Kyaw Soe, WVM Hmawbi ADP manager.

The Executive Committee members remarked on the variety of things they were able to see, as well as the quality of our work. In particular, they were impressed with the scale of our early childhood development work; with the active participation of communities through the CBOs; with the empowerment gained through microfinance; and with the partnerships World Vision has with different organizations.

The Executive Committee members departed, returning home with encouragement for the well-being of children in Myanmar and around the world.