Visit to Aimma Karuna Mission (July 29-Aug 1,2009) 1. My short visit to Aimma Karuna Mission started with the efficient accompaniment of Mr.Dominic, Mr.Stephen and three dedicated boat men on July 29 in the late morning after meal. The weather was fine. In a large boat, altogether we were six ,journeying towards the south of the Delta region. After crossing large river known as Pyan Ma law and many streams, we finally arrived Phyin Sa Lu, a new town recently built under the supervision of the government. The old Pyin Sa Lu was totally devastated by Nargis Cyclone which has caused loss of about 5000 lives ,according to the local report. The new Pyin Sa Lu is now well organized and built again with beautiful housings and Cyclone Shelters.
Mr.Peter and two motorcycles waited for us at the jetty where our boat made a stop, at about 4:00 pm in the evening. Nathat village is our destination for the day’s journey and the vehicles arranged by Mr.Peter carried us to the destination after about 15 minuntes of drive from Pyin Sa Lu. The new road connecting Pyin Sa Lu and Nathat was repaired and rebuilt after Nargis Cyclone. Good condition in the summer time, but not conducive as yet for travel in the rainy season, especially when there is heavy rain. We safely arrived Nathat and put up in the hut temporally built beside the ruined chapel. The bamboo hut is used at present as chapel , a place for shelter for visitors and for religious cult. Dinner was served and a long conversation between our group and the villagers went on until 10:00 pm. Clarification of the project was made, verifcation of the works was done and some new plans were drawn up in the informal meeting. Then all retired for night.
2. The next morning, July 30,about twenty Catholics came for confession before the celebration of the Eucharist. Nathat, before the Cyclone had a very strong Catholic community composed of about 300 souls. Half of the number in the village has perished in the Cyclone. Half of them were saved in the newly blessed village chapel during the disaster. The chapel was dedicated and blessed by the local ordinary of Pathein diocese, His Excellency Bishop John Hsane Hgyi in the month of March and it was half demaged by the Cyclone in May. All houses demaged and only a chapel remained stand saving the lives of some. Some occupied the newly built houses and some wait for new housings to be completed under the charge of Karuna Pathein.
After the Mass and the breakfast, some photos taking, we all left the village, seen off by some villagers to Pyin Sa Lu, by a small canoe. Then from Pyin Sa Lu, we left for Aimma, the center of the Catholic Mission.
3. A heavy rain fell as we arrrived the jetty of Aimma. That obliged us to wait for a moment until we could move up to the land. We were led by Fr.Denis Min Zaw, assistant priest of Aimma parish assinged to work in this mission since 2005. We were warmly welcomed by Fr.Wilfred Myint Soe, the parish priest and we sat for lunch together. Mr.Dominc and Mr.Stephen went around under the rains to check the works being implemented under the charge of Karuna Pathein in the Aimma Site. Karuna Pathein sub-station house is situated not far from the Clergy house and works are being carried out in collaboration with the priests in charge of the parish.
After a short survey and visit was done, we all said goodbye to the hosts and left for Nyaung Tabin village at about 2:30 pm.
4. We safely arrived Nyaung Tabin village at 5:30 pm in the evening. It was raining and almost dark.
We met the carpentors and their groups. We checked the works done. We checked the quality of the woods and constructions. The village chapel is to be reconstructed soon. Bricks in number of 50000 are already in place. But still woods and some construction materials are to be collected to begin the work. New housings are well arranged along the road. Some already finished and being occupied by the families. But some still need to be completed. Then dinner was served in the new primary school built last year after the cyclone. Long conversations between visitors and villagers contined until 10:00 pm. The stories of Nargis Cyclone were narrated by the individuals in the conversation. Though 14 months have passed since the Cyclone, the memories are still fresh and the stories are still new.
5. The Eucharist was celebrated in the primary school. The preparation of the alter was done by a Catholic volunteer teacher. She was sent to Nyunt Tabin by the office of Diocesan Education to teach in this village for the academic year of 2009-2010. About 30 Catholics gathered for Mass and after Mass and breakfast we arranged all the works to be countinued and said goodbye to the villagers and set off to return to Labutta. It was about 8:15 am. We arrived back to Labutta at 2:30 pm in the afternoon. Meeting with all the staff of Karuna Pathein, Labutta office ,was held in the office house from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. All views are discussed and shared. The mission continues!
6. Trip to Aimma Karuna Mission was short but filled with new insights and thoughts for further development of people and the region. Almost one and half year that the Nargis Cyclone has passed, but the phase of rebuilding and rehabilitation still require many efforts to be committed. Karuna Pathein serive continues this work, while buiding up the capacity of its staff in all levels. Keeping the spirit of God in heart, the collaboration in all sectors is carried out. Not with our own strength but with the help and strength coming from above.
Reported by Eikhlein
August 4,2009
