It was early morning, a van, truck, and bus were packed with many wished for items for delivery to three orphanages outside of Yangon. Four teachers and twenty community service students from YIEC, and a representative from Myanmar Compassion Project (MCP), all rode together about 30 miles to our first stop, “The Olive Garden” orphanage. Waiting on the main road were two of the orphaned children there to greet us and show us the rest of the way. Down a bumpy dirt road we pulled up and as we did, children poured out of their small bamboo home to greet us with hugs and smiles. Our arrival was much anticipated by the children of all ages ranging from 2 to 18 years old. As we got off the bus, we soon noticed how hot and dry it was outside and how the grounds were hard and cracked with little vegetation other than a small vegetable garden. The bamboo house seemed hardly large enough to house the 22 children and 5 caretakers who lived there. The conditions were difficult and that is why we came, to help relieve them, even in some small way.
The children invited us in and as we walked across their dirt floor inside the house we climbed up three steps into an elevated bamboo slat floor where we all sat together. They sang us songs with smiles, showing their solidarity as a group supporting one another, and in return the community service kids offered each child special attention and invited them up, one-by-one, to receive a “Shan Bag”1 which we had pre-packed with notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, rulers, and some candies. Each child walked away with big smiles and twinkles in their eyes. We offered more gifts to the whole group, and soon cheers began to roar through the walls of the little bamboo house with each new gift we brought in. From their cheers it was easy to see how much these items were needed and appreciated. We brought them simple things, like blankets & plastic mats for sleeping, umbrellas & raincoats (it rains heavily for about 5 months of the year), kitchen utensils, plates, bowls, cups, clocks, watches, snacks, and candies. We also brought them all the materials they would need for school uniforms and gave them enough money to have them specially made for each child. Then we invited them outside and they were so excited to see what was there. A special gift that was a dream come true for many of them. There we had lined up 5 new bicycles to give to them. Their gratitude was overflowing and by now many were giving us hugs, holding on tightly, as we took photos together. We played games and talked and shared and laughed together until finally it was time for us to head onward to our next orphanage visit. Hopefully we will be able to return and visit them again one day!
The next two orphanage visits had much of the same, but each with their own special touch. The second place we visited, “A Kid’s Life” enjoyed playing music together. The head of this orphanage was a guitarist who taught the kids lots of songs. He also spoke about the values of working hard each day and that he was trying to instill this work ethic in the children. He hoped that this would help carry them forward to be able to support themselves one day.
The third place, “Myanmar Christian Agape” also gave us songs, and hugs, and praise (much the same as above). It was such a wonderful day of giving and sharing. Altogether we gave away over $950 worth of goods which goes a very long way in Myanmar. The community service club worked hard on their fund raising and in finding the best prices and buying all the gifts we gave to these three orphanages. They are proud of what they did and hope to continue doing more in the coming school year.
If you wish to help in any way, money, clothes, material items, any and all donations will be greatly appreciated to help support the CSC’s efforts.
Our Sincere Thank You,
The Community Service Club
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