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Refurbished twin-level apartment in Hlaing
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Myanmar writers establish village libraries
(Volume 26, No. 513)
WELL-known writer Chit San Win’s lifelong dream to open a library in his native village of Yit Kan Gyi has almost been fulfilled.
“My long-term aim is that members of the library will teach villagers to be able to read – some of whom are illiterate and some middle school dropouts – with the support of K10,000 to each villager a month,” said 70-year-old Chit San Win.
Each course will last two months and within that period students will be taught how to read and write. Textbooks, written by Chit San Win himself, will include history of the village, tales, information about Buddhism, economics and the country as a whole.
“Veteran writers will hold literature talks in the village every year,” added the writer, “It is all about motivating people to read and learn, then let them connect with the library.”
I have done a lot of charity work for my country throughout my life but I have never made a contribution to my native village
Many libraries have opened in Myanmar says the writer but few people borrow books so encouraging people to go to the library is a priority.
Yit Kan Gyi village, which is 17 miles from Bago Division, has a population of 2534 and farming is the principle source of livelihoods. Approximately 20 per cent of the village is illiterate.
“I have done a lot of charity work for my country throughout my life but I have never made a contribution to my native village,” he said.
The village needs plenty of improvements such as repairs to the road and monastery, however Chit San Win believes that literacy is the first step in developing long-term capacity in the village.
“My grandmother is illiterate and my mother is also a dropout [from school]. If I was like them I would now be struggling in muddy fields like the other villagers,” he added.
The Chit San Win library, which will also include a gymnasium building, is due to open in October this year with teaching courses beginning at the same time.
Chit San Win is hoping to repeat the success of other writers with his library project.
Writer Kaung Thant founded the Kaung Thant library in his native town of Okkan, Yangon Division, in 2001. To begin with the library had just 1070 books but that figure has since risen upwards to 8000.
The library was set up following Kaung Thant’s National Literary award in 2000 for his novel Eainmat Alwan (Nostalgic Dream). The writer chose to invest his prize money in the library.
“The library brings knowledge to the local people, motivating them to do charity work for all,” said U Soe Myint, the library’s vice-chairman.
The library is also a popular hangout for trishaw drivers and manual workers who go there around midday to escape the heat, read a book and play chess.
“Opening a library is closing a jail,” says writer U Thein Lwin, who started Shwe Ti Yadanar library in his native town of Paung Tae, Bago Division, in 2008.
