Aphaung Village Primary School

A year ago Cyclone Nargis completely destroyed 65% of the 234 schools in the Phyapon township area. Those not destroyed are in dire need of repair. New schools have still to be built and existing buildings to be repaired.

The Asian Trails team in Myanmar, led by managing director Laurent Kuenzle, helped *NAG by playing a leading role in finding the donors and raising the funds to build the school.

(*NAG is a joint venture with Myanmar Egress with Mr. Sonny Nyunt Thein as the acting Project Director. He is assisted by his wife, Kerstin Jung, who is also the group’s coordinator.

The school was officially opened on 19 May, 2009. On the morning of 18 May I, together with Laurent, Kerstin, Thomas Carnevale and two friends, embarked with great enthusiasm on the 152km overland journey in a minivan from Yangon to Phyapon Township. The trip took over four hours.

Villagers and children waiting for the opening ceremony to begin

The weather was fine with cotton-like cumulus clouds in the deep blue sky, seeming to form a line in a south-westerly direction towards the Ayeyawaddy Delta.

Upon arrival in Phyapon Township we were warmly welcomed and greeted by the construction team of Myanmar Egress, managed by U Thang (‘U’ means ‘Mr’). We then visited the local market, which brought out a number of inquisitive inhabitants, probably wondering at our presence.

Drinks on the roof terrace of our comfortable accommodation ended our day and prepare us for a good night’s sleep.

19 May 2009: An early wake up call was not really necessary as the locals usually begin their daily activities at about 5am. Wonderful sounds to wake up to –the putting of motorbikes, laughter, singing of birds, the brisk "brring-brring” of bicycle bells, barking dogs and rumbling trucks – sounds that people of the Western culture try to eliminate for unknown reasons.

At sharp 7am we started on the enjoyable one-hour cruise on the picturesque river and travelled downstream towards Aphaung Village. Right here is the third school rebuilt by NAG.

Upon arrival at a tributary of the river, where the school is located, hundreds of villagers, children in their school uniforms and their families were lined up to welcome us in a touching ceremony. It was emotionally overwhelming.

Then followed the inauguration ceremony, with Laurent (below left) delivering the opening speech.

His speech at the ceremony was, to me, an energetic, remarkable and most emotional message to the community of Aphaung Village.

Here’s the full speech:

"My name is Laurent Kuenzle and I am here today to represent the donors who made it possible to build the new Aphaung Primary School.

"It makes me very happy to see how well this school was built and I would like to thank everyone who was involved with this ambitious project. My special thanks go to NAG and all their managers and staff who spent countless hours to “get the job done”, as we say in English.

"Myanmar touched my heart the first time I came to your country about 15 years ago. I had the privilege to spend many years in Myanmar and had the chance to travel extensively through your beautiful country. I cannot start to imagine what you have lived through a year ago when Cyclone Nargis took the lives of family and friends, devastated your homes and destroyed your belongings. The entire world watched with sadness and compassion.

"It is together with my friends and my family that we decided to make a contribution to the rehabilitation of schools in Myanmar. NAG approached us with their project to build your new primary school and within a few days we were set to give the go-ahead.

"We very much believe in education. Education opens the door to a world of understanding and to a world of a new dimension. To be able to read and write, to do mathematical calculations, to understand history and geography, is a wonderful thing. Education gives a chance to a better life.

"A school brings meaning to a community. It brings a sense of belonging together. It is a place where problems and solutions are discussed. It is a place where old meets young. It is the place where you prepare the future of your children.

I sincerely hope that all children in Aphaung Village will have the opportunity to come to this school and to learn all they can. I wish you many great moments. I wish that one day the children we see here today will come back as adults with their children and will have many happy memories to talk about."

After the ceremony we were invited into a few of the surrounding (farm) houses where the families live. One farmer proudly showed us his living room. Sitting on the floor and over cups of delicious tea he told us that he owns seven hectares land, which he uses for growing rice. One of his children is attending the Aphaung Primary School (levels 1-5), while another goes to a higher school (levels 6-8) in a nearby village.

Picured right: Proud pupils and their teachers

Filled with both unforgettable and everlasting memories of the event we said ours goodbye to Aphaung Village and undertook the journey the same day back to Yangon via Phyapon Township.

The school opened its door on 1 June, after the official holidays. A total of 212 children are currently attending the classes. Let us hope that all the children are able to complete all the five levels in this primary school.

Note: Visit the following websites to see the various phases of the school’s construction/development:
• Apaung Village School
• Primary school in Apaung Village
• Direction to Aphaung Village: Click here

• Photos courtesy of Asian Trails