Remembering Burma’s humanitarian workers

Friday, 20 August 2010 18:44 Mizzima News

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – In a social atmosphere often held hostage to competing political agendas, Burma’s humanitarian workers face constant obstacles in the fulfillment of their missions. But still, these caring agents attempt to provide their vital services in Burmese society.

Myint-Myint-Khin-PeAugust 19 marked the second anniversary of UN’s World Humanitarian Day, administered by its Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The occasion recognises the importance the world body places in increasing public awareness about humanitarian assistance activities.

Among the humanitarian workers in Burma, Daw Myint Myint Khin Pe and her husband help operate the Free Funeral Service Association (Rangoon). Mizzima assistant editor Ko Wild spoke to Myint Myint Khin Pe, aka Daw Shwe Zigwet, on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day and in recognition of the services rendered by her and her husband.

Q: Your husband Kyaw Thu, a noted actor and chairman of this organisation, told Mizzima he joined the Free Funeral Service Association following encouragement from you. How were you first drawn into this field of work?

A: My aunt, Burmese Department Professor Daw Hla Myat, was a patron of the Byamasho Free Funeral Service in Mandalay, which was led by renowned writer Ludu Daw Ah Mar. This organisation is almost two-and-a-half years older than ours. I was immediately interested in this work, but my children were too young. First, I thought I would join when my children had grown up. But my aunt later informed me that film director U Thu Kha would soon establish such an organisation in Rangoon and suggested that I join them if I was interested. I was about 40 then.

Q: Why did you choose this line of social work, which is usually taboo in our society?

A: First and foremost was the encouragement I received from my aunt. Also, in recognition of death, which is unavoidable for anyone. Facing the demise of loved ones is the saddest time for many. I believe I can to some extent console and comfort these people during their saddest moments. As for my husband Kyaw Thu, it is a good opportunity to pay back his audience.

Q: What are your roles in the organisation, which was founded in 2001?

A: As we are founders of this organisation, we serve as executive committee members. I work on financial matters too. Additionally, I now focus in other areas, such as library and education, and I drive hearses.

Q: The organisation has expanded services to include a free clinic, library and education. Are there any young people who come to join your organisation to perform these works?

A: About 20 to 30 new youths come to our organisation every month but we don’t accept all of them. They submit forms to join our organisation. We study their attitude regarding this social work, their time availability and other factors, and scrutinise this information before selecting those to join our organisation. Then we train them by explaining our objectives and our activities. The first four days of each month are for training. After that, we assign them duties for future months.

Q: Who are your donors?

A: Most of the donors are from Burma. Some Burmese living in foreign countries also donate Burmese currency through relatives and family members. Occasionally we also receive some foreign currency.

Q: You provided water distribution free of charge in April and May, didn’t you?

A: Yes, we did. First we did this out of our own pocket. The money was donated by my father-in-law and mother-in-law. It was not funds from our organisation. We distributed water and dug wells in areas where water shortages was severe, especially in Pegu and Dala. As we could not visit these places in person, we delegated this work works to local people. Similarly, we donated money to victims of the bomb blasts that took place in the Rangoon (Thingyan water-festival) plaza. We pooled our resources and donated money. In Hlaing Township there was also a fire that burned down more than 1,400 houses. We donated money as well as basic goods to the victims when they were relocated to an area without civic amenities.

Q: Did you provide humanitarian assistance to Cyclone Nargis victims too?

A: In this relief operation, a boy who was once one of our members and was living in Singapore helped us. At that time, Ko Kyaw Thu was sick and only I was available. I could not do this heavy burden of work alone and appealed for further assistance. The volunteers had to come and work at their own expense. Many of them are still working in our organisation now. We got many new recruits from this campaign.

Q: What is the difference between your life as the wife of a famous actor, and as a partner in a humanitarian organisation?

A: Frankly speaking, I have no interest in motion pictures. When I married him, he had not yet become an actor. Only after our marriage … I was not very happy when I was the wife of an actor. I saw this career as a business. So I didn’t shape my children for this kind of career. However, I like social work and activities. And later I realised that his acting life contributed much to the social work too. Our family life is now quite happy.

Q: You were once accused of human trafficking. Can you please explain this episode?

A: Kyaw Thu went to South Korea alone for shooting. I accompanied him in Japan for a visit. Some exploited this film-shooting business for human trafficking between these countries and my husband Kyaw Thu wasn’t aware of it. He realised it only when he got there. They trafficked people as part of the film crew. Kyaw Thu was taken for questioning in Mandalay when he returned. We were not involved … The film producer committed the act along with some other people involved with the project.

Q: The USDA had attempted to use your service for political purposes. How did it happen?

A: Major General Htay Oo (then General Secretary of the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Association) donated four million kyat (US$4,000) to us, saying they were also interested in doing this free funeral service. He requested to let them learn from us. We replied that they needed to wear our black and white uniform. Not agreeing, they ordered the dissolution of 24 organisations in May 2007, including ours. But, they later gave us back our organisation after we wrote letter requesting the reinstatement of the Free Funeral Service Association (Rangoon).