AMURT & AMURTEL constructed 445 houses and repaired 32 others in five villages that will benefit 2,859 people affected by cyclone Nargis.
Emergency Distributions
After Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar in May 2008, AMURT & AMURTEL sent 31 truck convoys to deliver relief goods valued at $US142,667 to 42 communities. 6,646 households were repeatedly benefitted with emergency food, hygiene kits and kitchen kits.
Child Centers/Pre-Schools
Four child care centers in four villages serving 197 children have been operational since October 2008. A one month training was recently completed for our 13 teachers and 4 assistant teachers that included seminars on “Neo- humanism”, “Holistic Approach” and “Child-oriented Teaching”. A daily nutritious lunch is also provided for each child at the learning center. The program is envisioned to carry on for another year.
Women’s Groups
Skills Training and Economic Aid: AMURT & AMURTEL has initiated women’s self-help groups in its four villages of operation namely: Kyon Chin, Lay Ywa, Chaung Gyi and Leik Kyun. Thirty of the poorest women of each village have been identified and have been divided into 3 groups of 10 members. Thus far they have attended four seminars dealing with small businesses, micro credit, committees and accounting. A saving scheme has been introduced to enable each group to slowly accumulate their own resources. Many are the occupations the women have selected for themselves, including: tailoring, baking, vending, gardening, fish farming, weaving/knitting, water purification and battery charging. Those who complete the training course are entitled to a cash grant to start their own small business.
Integrated Village Reconstruction
AMURT constructed 445 houses and repaired 32 others in five villages that will benefit 2,859 people affected by cyclone Nargis. AMURT & AMURTEL’s sturdy timber units are flood and earthquake proof and can endure winds of up to 100+ mph. Each unit have a core size of 198 sq. ft. (18.2 m2) with each family given the choice to add an extension (kitchen or living room or both).
In an innovative community- based approach, village construction committees became responsible for storage of equipment and supplies, security and transportation. The committees also recruited local carpenters and unskilled laborers and have involved the whole community as volunteers.
Permanent School Construction
Five permanent primary schools with 22 classrooms serving the needs of 528 children and 16 teachers will be constructed this year.
Donations are welcome!
Account Name: Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team (AMURT)
Account No: 3148 1515 07
Bank: Public Bank Berhad
Bank Branch: Damansara Utama
Bank Swift Code: PBBEMYKL
Bank Branch Address: 49, 51 & 53 Jalan SS21/60, Damansara Utama
47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, MALAYSIA
Bank branch telephone number: +60 3 7728-9376