Mandalay, Burma, Aug 3, 2007 / 09:02 am
Just a few years ago, Ywadaw, a Catholic village in central Myanmar with about 220 families, was a disorganized and underdeveloped community. But the village has been transformed due to the villagers' efforts and some help from Karuna Mandalay, the social service agency of Mandalay Archdiocese.
Joseph Rein Moe, 53, told UCA News the transformation took hard work but was worth it. As an example he recalled how the village's only transportation link was a muddy or dusty track, depending on whether it rained.
With the rains came flooding. "I went to the market walking through mud," he said. "It was very difficult for the villagers. I had to carry my bicycle on my shoulder."
The lack of a paved road, however, was not the only problem. Ordinary villagers had little say in running the village of more than 200 houses since only the elders gave orders. People didn't know how to manage money or health emergencies. Children only attended school for a few years at the primary level.