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Gitameit volunteers have been deeply involved in helping with cyclone relief efforts. Among other things, Gitameit thought of sending volunteers to some of the collection centers with paper and crayons, so children there could draw some of their Nargis experiences – the idea being that children in the United States would then send drawings and messages back to them.

The Burmese children’s drawings bear silently eloquent witness to the devastating experiences that they and their families went through during the cyclone and its immediate aftermath. Two American volunteers with school-age children have since collected drawings and messages from a number of elementary school children at two different schools in the San Francisco Bay Area. Burmese translations are being made of the messages the American children wrote with their drawings – messages that express caring, concern, and hope for the future. A selection of these drawings and messages will be posted here once they have been translated and scanned in.

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Su Myat Htet — Hlaing Thar Yar Team

Today my team went to 6 different refugee camps. First, we went to Yadana Thirimyo Oo Monastery. Since we arrived at the camp at lunchtime, we saw many young children eating their meals. It was such a wonderful sight to see. We were especially glad to see them eating enthusiastically because we knew that we were the ones who were able to give them food.

Next we went to Amaka 31. For this site, we had a plan. We had a raffle for tarps. We awarded tarps to 24 out of the 50 families there. After we finished the raffle, we met a young girl who was sick. We saw that she was recovering well from dysentery. When we saw her yesterday, she was a sorry sight to see. She seemed to be in so much pain. What a sad thing to see a girl who was so young, only 11, in so much pain. Yesterday we gave her some money so that she could go to a doctor. So again, we were happy to see that we could make a difference. As soon as we went to houses of the raffle winners and took pictures, I became very upset. The losers of the raffle were distraught and shouting that they had nowhere to sleep. I felt really sorry because it was impossible to provide enough for everyone. As we only had a limited number of tarps, we could only help them so much.

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In January, Gitameit students and faculty travelled to Myitkyina in Kachin State at the Northernmost end of Myanmar.

They rehearsed in the trains and buses on the way up. They toured the area holding music workshops and performances, and participated in the Kachin Manou Festival.

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String students from the Thamine Karen Baptist Church community prepare for coachings with the Apple Hill Chamber Players. A project introducing young adults to playing chamber music.

A 5 day vocal workshop with Htun Htun and Gitapella for young adults and music teachers from the Mon Baptist Church community. Gitapella also performed a concert for the community at the Insein Mon Baptist Church.

Gitameit Voices and string duo performed for Yangon International School elementary and high school students. See photo below left.

Gitameit students spent 10 days in Mawlamyaing, Mon State, giving voice, piano and violin lessons to students from Mawlamyaing and Pa’an. The trip included a concert performance by Gitameit Voices in the Mawlamyaing Mon Baptist Church. See photos below and above right.

Enfants du Monde sponsored a theatrical production by Gitameit students with original music by Ko Kyaw Kyaw and Ko Kyaw Swe Tun and participation by two professional comedians. The production was written for performances at orphanages in Yangon and Bago.