<?xml:namespace prefix = o />Charles Mang Lian Thang 5th April 2010
There were three schools in three separate villages affected by a violent storm on 29 March 2010 in Thlan Tlang township, Chin State. The villages affected are Hmawng Tlang, Shi Ciang and Hriang Khang. Hmawng Tlang middle school has 180 students. Shi Ciang Middle school has 59 students. Hriang Khan Middle school has 114 students.
On 5th April 2010 at 9:30 am, we departed Hakha for Thlan Tlang. When I started my journey from Yangon, these 3 places were not included in the list of the places we needed to help. We bought about 10,000 zinc roof in Kalemyo and in Chin State. The shops were not used to sell such large quantities of zinc roof so the suppliers ran out of stock quickly. There were not enough supply of zinc roof to help the fire and the storm victims at the same time. Thus, we have to use the supply of zinc roof that we had secured for both the fire and the storm victims.
When I was requested by the local officials to visit these 3 places, I informed my family in Yangon. They did not agree for me to visit these places due to previous occurrence of robbery and terrorism. This area is much closer to India and there has been a lot of violent, fighting and murder etc. However, the security force from Hakha such as Captain Aung Thet Khaing and Police Captain traveled with me to provide me protection. A Hmawng Tlang native; the Pastor of UPC, Rev. Ngai Hmung came along on this trip as well.
This is my first visit to Thla Tlang. I don’t know the way to Thlan Tlang well. Pu Pa Hmung of Hakha helped me make contact with the people in Thlan Tlang. I have been wanting to see Thlan Tlang as we helped them opened up a new paved road to Thlan Tlang. I had not personally visited Thlan Tlang even though we had previous project there.
The journey from Hakha to Thlan Tlang took only two hours. I was taken to Town mayor's office immediately upon arrival. As I anticipated, I was welcomed by most officers in Thlan Tlang including the mayor, the school principal and the teachers of the three affected schools. They make me feel secure in the town. They prepared a proper donation ceremony. I felt very honored. They even gave me lunch. We also talk about our charity efforts towards Cong Thia and Hripi on 23 Feb 2009.
Shi Ciang and Hriang Khan villages are hard to be accessed by car, and the heavy rain and storms made the road condition worst then ever. At 1 pm, we travel to Hmawng Tlang. I did not expect the town chairman U Chit Ko Ko to travel with me along with two other soldiers. The road condition make it hard for me to call it a road. The road journey is very difficult. I really do not know how to explain the situation to you.
When we get to Cong Thia, my hands were blistered as I held hard onto the car for fear of car accident. My body was aching due to the bumpy car ride. The 23 miles journey took us 6 hours due to the road condition.
We went to the school right away. All the villagers were running toward us. I heard them were saying to one another "I love you Myanmar is here."
Hmawng Tlang is beautiful and is situated on a good land. Thlan Tlang is different from Hakha. There are Zophei and Lautu clan in the village. They know how to welcome visitors. The villagers make me feel so at home. The elders of the village took time to talk to me. The elders of the village spoke some moving and grateful word, "we have not being cared by our own people like your family and "I Love Myanmar”. Even though you have not seen our life; you are here immediately when we need help. We know you have come from far away through a very difficult journey. Your visit showed us you really love and care for us. We cannot see our future but if we ever need help again, please come back” Such words of thanksgiving continue to be spoken until I depart from them.
(There are a few families who has means. I was told that there are about 72 people from this village who are residing in U.S.A. These relatives who lives in U.S.A. have not extended help to these villagers in a significant way. Perhaps, many of these new immigrant to U.S.A were just beginning to settle down in their new environment in U.S.A and did not have means to help their families yet.)
We were asked to stay another day as the villagers wanted to slaughter a pig for me again. I begged them not to do it. I told that I have to go many more places to help the victims of storms. Shortly before we left, our car had problem. When we started our journey, our two tires roll off from our car down the road. Our driver was so skilled that he knows how to handle the car safely. I have to admit that I was so worried. On the way back to Hakha, we checked Cong Thia and Hriphi's road.
When we get to Thlan Tlang, the driver gave me the head of a pig as a sign of appreciation. I felt so touched by their love. When I opened the package, it is not just a head, it was a whole pig. We gave Hmawng Tlang village only 50 pieces of zinc roof for their school but in return they gave me a whole pig. They have a generous heart to honor us as it probably cost more to sacrifice a pig than what we had donated to help the villagers in Hmawng Tlang.
Dr. Hmuh Thang and the friends came to me and expressed their appreciation for our efforts. We got back to Hakha at 4:30 pm and we continue our arrangement to travel to Falam town.
Myanmar
