- Thirinmingalar Monastery School, Yangon

- A La Ga Hnit (2) Dao Ya Jei Yua (Sec Sch), Bilin

- Mu La Dan Jiao Dao Ga Lei (Pri Sch), Bilin

- Suei Yin Dong Mu La Dan Jiao (Pri Sch), Bilin

- Zamburatana Buddhist Culture Centre, Yangon – donation for maintenance and expansion of the centre

- Young Men Buddhist Association (YMBA) – donation for printing of books 

Orphanages:

Stationeries, tit-bids and toys have been distributed to orphanages, in addition cash donations have been given for maintenance of orphans:

- Nursery Orphanage (up to 5 yrs old), Yangon

- Nunnery Orphanage (Vithakar Nunnery Teaching Women School) – with more than 180 orphans

Medical Centres

- Medical Centre at Bilin - S$3,000 was donated for building cost. Hospital beds and some hospital accessories, such as wheel chairs and walking aids will be shipped to the centre when the building is ready.

- Medical Centre at Mahasantisukha Buddha Sasana Centre – US$1,000 cash and medicine worth S$500 were donated for the medical centre.

- Medicine worth S$500 was also donated to Ma Soe Yein Monastery, Mandalay – with more than 2,100 monks

Pilgrimage

Visits to Holy Places:

•    Schwedagon Pagoda, Yangon - where the hair relics of the Lord Buddha was enshrined.

•    Schwezigon Pagoda, Bagan – Tooth replica of the Lord Buddha was enshrined

•    Golden Rock, Kyaitiyo – Hair relic of Lord Buddha was enshrined in the hanging rock

•    Stupas & Temples at Bagan

•    World Largest Books Monastery, Mandalay

•    Loka Chanta Abhaya Labhamuni Buddha Image, Yangon – world largest Marble Buddha

•    Mahasantisukha Buddha Sasana Centre, Yangon – our host at Yangon

Dana at 2 of the largest monasteries in the Union of Myamar:

- Naga Klainggu Hillock (Naga Cave) Monastery, Yangon - with more than 1,100 monks & nuns

- Ma Soe Yein Monastery, Mandalay – with more than 2,100 monks

Fellowship & Dhamma Lessons

We were so fortunate to have 2 birthday girls in our trip. We have learned the art of celebrating birthday with “5 candles”. Which signify the respect or reverence to the “Buddha”; “Dhamma”; “Sangha”; “parents & teachers” and finally to “benefactors”.

We had two “sharing sessions” in the evening. They began with a short chanting & meditation, followed by hearty-chats. All the volunteers voiced their views, feelings and experience they have learned from the trip. Numerous eyes were filled with tears of joys & happiness during the sharing sessions.

The longest bus ride ever – a 24 hours bus ride from Bago to Mandalay in a local express bus. This was also a ride of Dhamma, where we see all volunteers practicing what they have learned. The bus made numerous stops to change tyres (a very unusual 5 punctures along the way. When we checked with the locals, they said 5 punctures, never, usually only 2-3 !!!), as well as for nature calls & “instant noodle” meals. We have also learned to appreciate basic food, and found out that “SUPER 3-in-1 Coffee” was so popular in Myanmar, even in the remotest kampung (villages). Though it was tough, but it was worth every minute of it, as we have learned and as many volunteers claimed that they have understood the 4 Noble Truths & at the same time they have remembered the Noble Eight Fold Paths (VISA LE MC).

Holiday
We have had a good coverage of places of interest in the Union of Myanmar. We have visited the magnificent Schwedagon Pagoda at Yangon, the miraculous hanging Golden Rock at Kyaitiyo, the World’s Largest Books Pagoda at Mandalay and the majestic Stupas and Temples at Bagan.

In conclusion, this trip has strengthened our resolution to further reaching out our hands to people in need, and has made many of us reflect and re-look into our own life. And many of the volunteers have voiced their interest in going for more of such trips in the coming years.

We would like to extend our invitation to you, your friends & relatives in joining us in experiencing such wonderful mission.

As the activities of the group are growing, we would change our name from “Song of Apsaras” to “Firefly Mission” effective from 1 January 2003. This will better reflect our identity and activities, where the firefly signify the volunteers that bring along a little light in their bodies. We need more firefly to bring light to the darkness, which signify places that are materially not so well off. 

Last but not least, on behalf of the committee of the SOA, i would like to thank all our volunteers, donors and supporters for their kind, generous and compassionate gift of time, money and other donations, so that we could bring “love and happiness” to our brothers and sisters in the materially poorer countries. 

Ng Yee-Kong

Coordinator SOA 2002