Location

Kakayoe is located at a main junction where a mid size river joins a main river artery. It is situated extremely close to the ocean.  Positioned mid way between Sar Chet and Padaukkone, both can be reached in about 30 min by boat.                                                                                

Majority in this village are fisherman. After Nargis, few boats and nets were salvageable but villagers continue on with what little that they could recover.

A third of the villagers are farmers. Of the 100 acres, only 60 have been planted. However the rice was planted late which leaves them at the mercy of rain, usually scarce after the rainy season ending September.

House made from wood and canvas by river

Villager resting in front of his house constructed out of wood and canvas

Food & Water

Kakayoe has a few freshwater storage lakes that were polluted during Nargis, however ADRA NGO has cleaned the storage lakes three times; one lake is drinkable now and should sustain the village.

Water Storage Lake cleaned by ADRA can provide drinking water

School

There is a primary school in this village. The school was completely destroyed during Nargis and the 56 students now attend school in a temporary school structure made out of bamboo and canvas donated by Dynamic Company. The school is taught by 2 teachers.

Temporary school building constructed out of bamboo and canvas                    

Interior of primary school

Church

A small church in the village serves approximately 50 members. The pastor passed away in the cyclone and the church is now pastored by a lady. Church building was destroyed completely and services are now held in a building constructed out of wood and canvas material.  

Church building constructed out of wood, bamboo sheets and canvas

Foundation where the church once stood

Rebuilding Progress

I Love Myanmar has donated a total of 36 houses to be rebuilt. As many families have combined to occupy houses, the number of houses should be sufficient.

Construction process has not started yet at the time of visit ( Oct 10, 08) as the same company (Min Nan Dar Construction Company) that is responsible for rebuilding houses in Sar Chet will be rebuilding those in Kakayoe after houses in Sar Chet have been completed.

As we sat in the village head’s house sipping tea and listening to Wanataun’s story, it was difficult to comprehend the extent of his loss. At the age of 29, he is unusually young to be the village head. During the cyclone he was at a nearby town. Upon returning to his village, he searched high and low for his family. He found his daughter up a tree in a nearby field, his only family left. He lost 11 members of his family altogether. Fearing the village would dissipate, he went to Laputta town and NGOs to ask for help.

His daughter now lives with distant relatives in town while he stays in the village. Since the cyclone, his daughter has never asked her father about the family but often asks her relatives and friends. She knows her father will be very sad when she mentions their family. Wanataun says how he wish he could have died in place of his family.

During the day his mind is occupied with the work that has to be done in the village, but at night when he is alone in his mosquito net which he used to share with his wife and 2 daughters, all the memories come flooding back.                                

Above: I Love Myanmar team with village head Wanataun (center)

Conclusion & Prayer

Kakayoe was badly hit by the cyclone. When the houses are completed, living conditions of villagers will improve. However, majority of fisherman in the village are unable to provide for themselves due to lack of boats and nets. Tractor parts will help in harvesting crops but most likely not crucial as buffalos can assist the progress. Primary school and church have also been destroyed in this village. Being a fishing village, it is less reliant on rice and can be self sufficient with boats and nets. i Love Myanmar can consider donating several boats and nets.