On 11 September 2016, the Royal Thai Embassy in Yangon, in collaboration with Thai-Myanmar Alliance for Volunteerism (TMAV) organized the closing and handover ceremony for the Community-based Project at Nga Pyaw Gyun village, Ayeyarwady Region, with an aim to develop the village as the model of self-sustainable community.

The ceremony was honoured by U Kyaw Myint, Minister of Municipal of Ayeyarwady Region, as the co-chairman with Ambassador Pisanu Suvanajata. They gave opening remarks that emphasized main objectives of the project to improve the livelihood and fostering the sustainable development to the village as well as sharing expertise and building capacity for villagers, teachers and students. Afterwards, guests and key members of the village planted Thapyae and fruits trees as the symbol of strong and flourish bonds of the two-countries.

During the event, there was the handover of the newly-developed water system and water tank from PTTEP Co. Ltd., MOECO Co. Ltd. and Tokyo Enterprise Co. Ltd. for the school and villagers to have clean water for their daily use. Companies from Thai and Myanmar also made great contribution by donated their products and items to students and their families.

At the same time, the woman’s club was established as an income generation project for the community. This club started with the sewing class by which three female members were selected for training course organized by the Milano Esmod Fashion House in Yangon who is an active member of the TMAV. These three members will subsequently play a role as trainers for other members of the club to raise income for the community.

For over a year, the community-based project at Nga Pyaw Gyun village accomplished its goal by effective support from both Thai and Myanmar partners of the TMAV. With our sincere hope, this project will continue to grow and will be one of the model of sustainable development for community development of Myanmar.

* * * * *