volunteers - firefly mission 2006 - union of myanmar

 

Dear Bros and Sisters 

 

For us, this trip has been most enriching, meaningful and inspiring.We enjoyed your fellowship and treasured the 9 days spent together. Our only regret is that our children were unable to join us on this trip to share such blessings!

 

Our sincere thanks and appreciation goes to Bros Yee Kong , Chong Jin, Sis Mok Siang and all the committee members  of Firefly Mission as well as everyone ( including the little bros and sisters who liven up our bus journeys) on the trip for organising , co-ordinating and working selflessly throughout.

 

Although the weather has been harsh ,some of the journey rather tiring,sleeping quarters extraordinary, everyone took things in their stride and made the best of the situation.The spontanous responses and participation at each stop speaks for itself. We have photos to testify to them!! :)

 

This can only happen because of the well-planned and co-ordinated groundwork  by FFM, the well-informed briefing we have had before our departure as well as the open-minded and benevolent attitude of all towards the cause we came for - reaching out to the hundreds of children and monks and nuns in Yangon,  Bilin , Kyiathyio and Shwejin.

 

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu !

May You Be Always Happy and Well !

 

cheers

Henry and Shirley Yeo

 

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Mingalabar! smile!

I would also like convey my deepest grateful thanks to you and Firefly Mission for giving me this blessed opportunity to experience this enriching, meaningful and great fulfilling 9 days Myanmar mission trip. A worthwhile time spent!

It was indeed a well organised and successful trip! Hurray! :-)

Great rejoice! seeing everyone of us happily do our little part in supporting this good worthy cause and bringing joy to the recipients of Myanmar.

The moment I get to know FFM humanitarian projects in 2002, I was throughly impressed and have very much wanted to join the mission trips. Sadhu! and rejoice!.. finally my wishes fulfilled! smile! After experience seeing personally the FFM humanitarian projects in Myanmar, especially building the schools and hospital, makes me and everyone in this trip feels more deeply our dana support is much needed and worthy of our support.

Another thing, I was really also very touched by the compassion and great care you and FFM team have for the group looking in all the details planning be it big or small, including having the many extra kyats for all of us to change our money to kyats which most of us do really run out of kyats and this extras really comes in very important to us so that we can have more opportunity to give more dana to the many places we visited. Grateful thanks to Bro Tee, Bro Arnold, Bro KC, for helping to carry this big heavy bulk of millions kyats around the trip for the 9 days of our mission trip. Grateful thanks too to Bro Chan for helping in changing the kyats for everyone of us, a great help to us! :-)

Once again, Maha Sadhu! and THANK YOU! to Bro Yee Kong & team & FFM and everyone for joining hands to make this trip very successful, enjoyable and very memorable!... Together we light up the world! ...for the benefits and welfare of the many!

Looking forward to join the future FFM mission trips again.

May all be well and happy!

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

CHAY SO BAY!
 

Quotes: 
"For those I love and those who love me,
     may this life be a blessing and a source of happiness to all beings."

"Death is no cause for sorrow, but it would be sorrow
     if one dies without having done something for oneself and for the world."

- Ven. Dr K Sri Dhammananda Maha Nayaka Thera (1919-2006)
 

with much gratitude and much metta always,

Charmaine

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Thanks for giving us the opportunity to do so much dana. I will definitely want to contribute in whatever small ways I can, do keep us in the loop when you need any help. Sadhu x3

Jodie Chan

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Betty and I wish to thank Firefly (and specifically you) for giving us the opportunity to gain merit and also bring joy to 
the recipients in Myanmar the last 9 days. We are thoroughly impressed with the extremely detailed manner in which 
the trip was organised - resulting in a most successful roll out. The smiles and happiness of those whom we interacted 
with made it all so worthwhile. 

I have only a small suggestion for future trips ie instead of lugging so much stuff from Spore, perhaps we can source 
most of the requisites direct from Myanmar. This will also help in a very small way to boost the local economy.

Our thanks also to Sis Charmaine, Bus 3 Co-ordinator who tolerated a lot of "garbage" from us - 
but she did a marvelous job!!!

Once again THANKS and May the light of the Fireflies be cast yet further and brighter.

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu

Betty and Eu Win

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Mingalabar

I had minus 10 years of my age, that is 10 years younger in this trip. My wife n I had a very good time and really 
enjoyed every minute with the locals. I don't how I had the energy n strength in leading a long chain of dancers 
slowly danced uphill, not once but twice. No joke, after two round my leg muscles stiffened. aLL of us, young n 
old enjoyed ourselves. Those who cannot sing, also sing; cannot shout, also shout; cannot dance also dance, 
anyhow dance also can. What a great joy 
we had with the children.

I was in bus B. All bro n sisters n children also got 'crazy' in the bus. We sang, we laughed etc etc etc. In our bus 
we had one 'Teresa Teng' entertained us with oldies. Another sister sang chinese buddhist hymns, both sisters 
sang beautifully, like professional. Bus A n C have to wait for the opportunity to hear them sing, then u know 
what i mean.

I would like to congratulate Firefly for sucessfully organised this trip a very meaningful project. REJOICE!

May all of us be well n happy. SADHU, SADHU, SADHU.

Teo Gee Teck

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Hi everyone

Just a few quick words, as always I'm very thankful to those who has co-ordinated, planned logistics and volunteered to be the bus co-ordinators and more ... must thank Chong Jin for the chief co-ordinator of this year's mission.

It has been an eye-opening, enlightening and close to tear-jerking trip for me! (as shared at Mountain View Hotel 2nd nite - I believe Bro Yee Kong has recorded in his mp3 many more I've shared:-))

I must salute to dear Charmaine for tolerating all the "lot of garbage" from us (unenlightened beings subjected to unmindful behaviours & sometimes impulsive and harsh words & possibly unco-operative behaviours)... not easy as it is not requirements of her career but yet she has chose to selflessly volunteered her time ... plus taking care of the Sangha members.

Yes! Charmaine, you're walking the path and I believe ... you will enjoy budding results for the fruits you've planted this life.

With metta
Evelyn Chui (Anjali)

May the suffering ones be suffering free. May the fear struck fearless be. May the grieving ones shed all grief. May all beings find relief.

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Thanks for all the wonderful days, memories, care and help during the trip. My mother and i had a good time. It is definately 
one of the most beautiful and meaningful trips i ever had. special thanks to all the firefly committee members such as 
bro yee kong, sis mok siang, bro arnold, chong qing, kc, chan, tee and many many more for organising this trip. may all of you 
have a smooth sailing week ahead!

cheers,

lindy kang

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#Time flies! It’s already the second last day of the Myanmar trip while I am preparing this note. This trip has been wonderful 
and joyous; most importantly it has been meaningful with a sense of serenity. New friendships were built and I enjoy the 
kind of bond that members of Firefly Mission has shared! =)

Started vomiting for umpteen times on the second day but thanks to many sisters & bros that I managed to recover fast! 
Thank you Sis Lydia (my helpful room-mate who run around looking for help while I am sick), Sis Siew Wah who have helped 
carrying my stuffs while I am dehydrated and many many sisters and bros who always ask about my condition and offering 
me special remedies! =)

On a spiritual aspect, I thought I have grown through this trip. Simply too many special moments that I could continue for 
pages & pages =)

It was a good and rare opportunity staying in Shweygin Monastry; not used to it but it’s something which I have looked 
forward to in such trips. Although there wasn’t much hands-on work in the Bilin Community projects, I would say it’s a 
good approach afterall! It would be great if there were a good balance of hands-on (sweat!!) and offering of dana activities. 
That’s my only humble suggestion.

The group size is a little too big so not all sisters and bros have an equal chance of involvement. But again, it’s subjective 
cos I believe it’s a matter of choice.

This is my 2nd trip with Firefly Mission and I will probably say Myanmar trip is a little “bumpy” than the Sri Lanka’s held 
last year. I certainly will join FFM again as there are always new surprises lying ahead. Although FFM is not a perfect 
organization yet, I trust that it will soar with determination & compassion and eventually lighting up the whole world! 
Thank you FFM. 

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu! =)

Loong Ho Yan

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#Thank you very much for arranging this “mission” Altho we didn’t see the usual tourist sites of Burma but we saw the rural 
life which we will never experience! You also gave us a chance to donate towards the people which I will always treasure. 
Just a small feedback, “perhaps someone could keep track of time?” Ha! Ha! We really enjoyed ourselves, thank you again.

Betty & Eu Win 

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#Thank you for the wonderful, enrichment and enlighten trip. Special thanks to the hard work of all the management 
committee members. Would like to suggest the last day be left for free and easy so as to have more time to catch up for 
lost sleep and to pack up.

#1 Bring garbage bags for containing used lunch boxes and other rubbish (FOR TEAM CO-ORDINATORS).

2 Inform us in advance on the need to pack extra set of clothes eg for the stay of the monastery after Golden Rock why? 
It’s cumbersome to open up the big luggage in the monastery to take out the necessary clothings.

3 Inform ladies to bring a bathing sarong for the use of communal bath area – reduce embarrassment

4 Inform those who’s going to Golden Rock, especially in the early morning (eg for dana, for puja) to bring along a big woven 
thick shawl to wrap over their feet during meditation or as a cushion for their resting on marble cold flooring

5 Inform all to bring a small fan (self reliant fan, forget abt battery operated)

6 Remind all volunteers that the offering of dana is not for specific individual but for the whole sangha. Offering to sangha is 
immeasurable and incalculable w/o any discrimination of an individuals.

A volunteer

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#I wish to thank the committee members, bus leaders and those who organize the memorable trip especially for the stay in 
the monastery. The monks and helpers with their minimum resources have tried to make our stay as comfortable as possible 
and even met our basic needs. Unfortunately some members of our group with the “ugly Singaporean” habits (ie littering in 
the toilets, bath areas, monastery compound and being noisy during the monk’s speech and dhamma talk) have tarnished 
the image of our well developed nation.

Rosalind Goh

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#Firefly did a good job in helping to educate and feed the orphans. Hope your future project can be in the aspects of health 
promotion and birth control. It is thru birth control that the number of orphans can be cut down and juvenile diliquency 
eradicated. Health awareness is important if their life span is to be lengthened beyond 50 yrs.

Nita

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#1 Instead of 1 bus co-ordinator, it is important to have an assistant co-ordinator to assist/to take over temporarily when/
should the co-ordinator be sick or assist to collect $ & count $, to disseminate information & to round up people on to bus.

2 A separate individual each should be assigned to take care of either sangha member (male) or (female). This individual can be 
the assistant co-ordinator at time or a separate person who has no other logistic or co-ordination responsibilities. It is very 
important to see to the needs of the sangha member attentively as it sets an exemplary behavior to new Firefly Members or 
nominal Buddhists. This person needs to be brief on certain basic vinaya rules to preserve the discipline of monastic rules 
correctly

3 Listening & Explaining the Dhamma

It is important to explain to the new Firefly volunteers on the importance of dana – why are we doing dana, how it helps us 
in our spiritual practice, what is the right mental attitude to adopt when doing dana – before/during/after, also the 
spectrum of merits (or encourage to play the audio CD by Ven Aggacitta on the bus on 1 Kusala, Purita, Parami (No 1) 
2 Worthy Deeds, Worthy Wishes 
(No 2) 3 Spectrum of Merits (No 7). 

Should this be not fulfilled, how else would Firefly Mission differentiate itself as a Buddhist Missionary gp vs other charitable 
missionary gps?

4 Chanting/Puja at the beginning of each day. For a smooth start, it will be good to make it a habitual start on each day to 
do the basic chanting – helps with mindfulness and reminds us on the purpose of our trip each day. Also to boost confidence.

Anjali

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#Our heartfelt gratitude for giving us & everyone this precious opportunity to practice Dana. We really appreciate all the 
hard work, preparation and arrangement done by the committee and volunteers. It has indeed been a very fulfilling trip 
for everyone and us.

Good points to highlight

·          Pro-family trip, children are also involved

·          Un-scheldulled visits are pleasant surprises, very worthwhile going

·          Each & everyone are well taken care of, esp the part on ensuring all have the chance to present the dana

·          Team building & briefing before the trip are very beneficial

·          Everyone was helpful, kind & friendly towards each other, wonderful synergy

Suggestions

·          After morning puja, short introduction on the place to visit, esp official ones. Eg number of students/monks/nuns/
orphans, area of involvement by FFM in the particular project, how needy is this project, how FFM get to know it, etc

·          People to volunteer as “official” kapiyas for monks/nuns (2 person, one for backup) to better take care of them

·          More organized in cultural performance

·          Advise and remind volunteers to observe noble silence in monasteries and nunneries

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Seow Khoon & Woon Wee

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# my heart:- What touches

·          Chanting @ nunnery (1^st day) It seems to send vibrations to the core of our heart, feel like crying

·          A truck was rented especially to carry the luggages so that the buses can provide more comfort to all

·          Swopping of buses because one of the teammate was not comfortable with the smell of the bus

·          Efforts were taken to ensure the comfort of every team mates even though we are supposed to be prepared for the “uncomfortness” on such trips

·          Shewgyin Monastery, thanks for making my birthday a memorable one. Very unexpected, especially given the lack of “facilities” condition. Very touched for the thoughts. Thanks for bhante for the efforts to ensure our “comfort” given the limited resources.

 

What could have done better :- (suggestions)

Better “coordination” in terms of job allocation in big group settings. Felt that resources “not fully utilized” given that there are 62 of us

 

My lesson learnt during the trip:-

To “look” beyond 1^st impression – local food may not look appetizing but can be quite tasty if you are able to get over the “look” of the dishes, especially we are used to “nicely presented” dishes.

 

Conclusion

This is an eye opening trip for me and are better prepared for “tougher” mission trip in future. Thanks for the efforts and thoughts to ensure the comfort of all team members are being taken care of.

 

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Lydia

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# Overall Comments

The trip is well plan and the program is meaningful and enriching for both children and adults. If there is any opportunity, I’ll recommend to those Buddhist devotees to join FFM trips.

Feeling

·          Very impressed by the way the venerable run the education, health and spiritual monastic activities in the village

·          FFM has done a great work in engaging the appropriate persons to execute their program and check the progress of the projects particularly at Shewgyin Monastery that adopting the hydroelectric generator

·          Observed that the people in Myanmar is very calm, warmth and have inner happiness although live in poverty environment. The kids are willing to learn at ZBCC

 

Other comments

·          We’ve a fantastic tour guide Shirley at Bus A

·          We have done a good caused for this trip!
 

Lim Cheng Kuay