ffm04_voices

volunteers - firefly mission 2004 - union of myanmar

When my mum asked me if I would like to accompany her on a humanitarian trip to Myanmar, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had read about the country before but nothing prepared me for what was to come. Things that we take for granted in Singapore were prized luxuries in this vast country. I was both amazed and saddened with what I saw and experienced. I have absolutely no regrets for this trip but only for the people (especially children) in Myanmar. It is encouraging and heartwarming to know that there are so many people out there who care for the less privileged.

Thank you to all who have made this trip a success.

Tracy Tseng

8-12-04

I was hesitant about making this trip and finally decided to join the Group B after attending the first meeting.

The places we visited – orphanages, schools, nunnery etc were eye-openers for me. I realized that people can be so happy in a society so deprived of material comforts. This place really touched my soul. The sights of the poor but happy people, the beautiful pagodas, the scenic countryside will remain embossed in my mind for years to come. I love the people and their country.

Thank you Firefly for everything.

Anne Lee

The projects that the Firefly Mission engaged in Myanmar really touched me deeply. The welcoming reception we were given at Zamburatana, Bilin Hospital and the monasteries moved me to tears. I was also very impressed that the students at Zamburatana progressed so much in two years in their computer courses.

My twelve days in Myanmar had been a fruitful experience and I enjoyed every moment of the trip, even though at times we had to travel five to six hours from one place to another and had to sleep on the hard wooden floor of a monastery one night.

My thanks to Bro Yee Kong and Bro Chong Jin for fulfilling my request to join Group A.

Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.

My wish list for Firefly Mission:

1. To continue to support what we have achieved to date.

2. To continue to explore ways in which we can help other poorer countries.

I will support the Mission in whatever ways I can within my ability.

Long live the Firefly Mission and together we light up the world.

Mike Goh

This trip is the best I have made so far. It’s not merely visiting a different country and experiencing the local way of life but the experience gained from this trip is truly valuable and enlightening. I feel very fortunate to be presented with such a good opportunity to do something good for those who are less fortunate and to be involved in everything which gives a great meaning to being alive and able.

I have made a vow that from now on, all my vacations will be trips of such nature – holy and pure.

Once again my sincere thanks to Yee Kong and team for making all this possible and I look forward to many more such wholesome trips.

Tan Phua

It is a in great blessing to be able to join this trip knowing that it is on humanitarian ground but it turned out to be a pilgrimage as well. Not only was I able to perform meritorious deeds daily, but also had a very rare chance to receive the priceless gift of relics of Lord Buddha, Ven Sariputta and Ven MahaMogallanna. Besides that, I felt great that each and everyone of us cared for one another like a family. The happiness shown by the young children, teachers, monks and villagers when they received our presents brightened my day.

A “Big Thank You” to the Firefly organizing committee. Well Done.

See Hong Ching

It is amazing that a small amount of donation from one individual (when accumulated) can help so many hospitals, schools, orphans, nunneries and monasteries.

During the trip a thought came to my mind. There are so many poor children, poor families, and orphans – how much can one do to help reduce their sufferings. Perhaps we should just leave them alone. However I guess small effort is still better than doing nothing..

I hope that upon the completion of constructing the school we could receive regular updates as to how many children have benefited from it.

Finally I wish to say a “Big Thank You” to the organizers of the Firefly Mission.

Yoke Ying

Bring CD and recordings of songs to be sung to facilitate those who are not sure of the lyrics and tune to sing along and to provide the gaiety, mood and fun of the sing- along session.

Reciprocate welcoming songs, dances performed by kids from schools, orphanages etc with catchy lively and fun dance/games/song (accompanied by CD where possible) on our part.

Where possible, for greater interaction, we join in their activities eg dance………

Wong Keng Tak

First of all, very thank you for organizing this mission and the organizing committee has benefited many, many people.

Some points for further improvement, if applicable.

1. Have a CD player for playing background music whenever Firefly group need to perform a song/dance in the school or in the bus. Add to the atmosphere and people new to the song can pick up quickly.

2. If possible asked that all milk powder be bought in Yangon and no need to carry from Singapore.

3. Try to involve the members of the group while in Myanmar in all aspects of work that need to be done.

a) counting money

b) packing – coordinator try not to do any packing but give constant instructions to all helpers to go to which group

c) have more people in charge of loading of boxes for each bus – already done- to continue to do.

d) Label each box with a coloured paper with a few short words indicating destination.

4. For schools/ hospital, good to plant big shady trees around these buildings for cooler comfort to save on air-con usage. Need to plant this as soon as possible once the building plan is confirmed.

5. Divide the groups (60 total) into smaller teams and has a team leader assigned. Any admin. work, need only to get the team leader. A group of 6-8 persons per team is a good size.

eg. Buying things; changing money; passing instructions; running tasks; assignment of tasks; counting people in the bus

6. Get a portable waist-pouch amplifier for the tour guide, giving instructions while outside the bus esp. to ensure everyone can hear what is mentioned for a group of 60.

7. Record any teaching by the Buddhist tour guide or any teacher throughout the trip. Have more than one person doing this to ensure nothing is missed out.

8. Medical clutches – if possible look for a carpenter to make them in Myanmar, cheaper, so more can be made.

What has been done well

1. A name list with contact info of all members.

2. Good amount of stationery, medicine to spread over so many schools, orphanages etc.

3. Strong dedication and hard work put in by the organizing committee way before, during and after the trip.

4. Choose a Buddhist tour guide that loves to talk Dharma.

Soon Ann & Hwee Leng

The organizing committee is very harmonious. They are very sincere and enthusiastic about what they are doing. Despite the busy hectic schedule and some hiccups, there is a lot of humour and I did not see any of the organizers losing their cool, which is very amazing to me.

Shelley is an excellent guide, reminding us constantly to put the Dharma into practice in a very light-hearted way.

The driver and his assistant are always patient and friendly; the restaurants here welcome us to use their toilets even though we did not buy anything. It is common to see people on the street smiling at us as our coach passed by even in the poorer places. If I were them, I might have been a sour grape or be very jealous, instead of smiling and waving.

I see that the Dharma really makes a difference when put into practice. This trip has been a very good reminder of this and it has given me more energy to transform my monkey mind. Many thanks to all who made it possible.

Anonymous

· Programme was well executed but it was somewhat overloaded.

· Sharing sessions were very useful as ice-breaker.

· Chanting and Bhante’s talk strongly reinforced religious component of the Mission

· The humanitarian activities were greatly enjoyed esp. by the not so religious members.

Suggestions for future mission

· Visit fewer places, giving members time and opportunity to interact with the inmates

· Give members time to sight see the various towns and places visited.

· The sun sets early in Myanmar. Try not to end too many days after sunset.

Overall performance of 2004 Mission is almost VERY GOOD

PC & Family

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Thanks very much for this meaningful trip. Thanks for all the effort each and every one has put in. It has been a great learning exposure and experience of each encounter with all beings.

Just a little thought that comes to mind :

1. How can we help the little ones at schools besides donating items like stationery? How can we help with school uniforms? Perhaps it is possible to get tailors to sew uniforms.

Shoes were rather washed out and with holes.

2. At appropriate time if condition allows

Crystal

To Exco of Firefly Mission

268 hours of flying around, busy giving lights out nurturing the Dhamma and Sangha community, healing and serving for the betterments of the Myanesse children, filling up a vacuum that Ben, May and myself will remember for a long while.

Thanks for these wonderful memories.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Wong Family

From: Anthony Wong Wee Kiong
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2004 11:38 AM

Hello to the Firefly Exco,

If our eyes are the windows to our soul ( *consciousness* to be politically correct ) then for the last 12 days we have all been peering at the Myanmese world with deep humbling respect.

It's good for those; like myself, who is spiritually hungry to be feasting on a spiritually spread everyday.

My thanks to the Firefly Exco.

Your collective noble & notable efforts in Myanmar have brought fruits of love & compassion to the people & for us the most cherish relics.

Myak..Myak..Myak.

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu

Anthony, May & Ben

From: Desmond Ho
Sent: Monday, December 13, 2004 12:37 AM
Subject: Feedback on Myanmar Trip '04

Hi Yee Kong,

It was indeed a fulfilling trip. The experience was unique and refreshing. I had never imagined myself making to a trip to an exotic country like Myanmar but it had happened.

This trip has displayed the social role of Buddhism that we can performed. In the buddhist context, as long as we live in Samsara, we are encouraged to accumulate merits for the purpose of a better life of future existence. During the trip, we offer Dana, meaning is a form of giving which is seen to be a meritorious activity. We offered toys, stationeries, medicine, etc, which we had brought along with us to the orphanage, schools, etc. Recalling the kids' smiles, it warmed your heart and your tiredness would drain away unknowingly. The condition of the school was generally poor but the kids had proven us that it did not hinder them from learning.

Being Theravada Buddhism in Myanmar, the monks only allow two meals a day (early morning and noon). Going for alms, studied Dharma, meditation and chanting, they have displayed the meaning of 'letting go' and lead a simple and peaceful livelihood.

'Metta' meditation session conducted by Dr Wong, was an enlightening one. The Dharma session after that had helped me to gain a better insight of the Buddhist teaching. I remembered that he had stressed that the importance of meditation in the process of attaining 'Mindfulness'.

Phototaking was common for any trips. However, we found "phenomenon" appeared in our photos remarkably. They looked like a group of colorful round objects of different sizes. One could think about reflections in the lens system. Light leakage in the camera, reflections of glossy objects and so on. But it is believed that these are Devas. I cannot stop thinking that I had become in contact with an extraordinary phenomenon....

Not forgetting to mention that we were very lucky to have a tour guide, Shirley, who was very knowledgeable in the Dharma and I enjoyed very single Dharma stories she shared with us in this entire trip.

This trip has changed my perspective of live. Simply say, I tend appreciate things around me better, be it, job, friends or even material things like clothing, etc.

Last but not least, I would like to thank you and your team who have put in a lot of your precious time and effort to make this trip a successful one.

Sadu, sadu, sadu.

Regards,
Desmond Ho