THE Joint Cyclone Relief Team of the Union of Myanmar Travel Association (UMTA) and the Myanmar Marketing Committee (MMC) of the Myanmar Tourism Promotion Board, has sponsored a project to construct 15 schools in separate villages in Phya Pone district, Ayeyarwaddy division, which was heavily damaged by cyclone Nargis. The schools will cater to pupils in elementary grades of one through five. Each school has been designed to meet the needs of 100-120 children plus necessary teaching staff.

“The MMC has initiated the aid effort together with the UMTA for the cyclone Nargis victims,” said Daw Khine Wai Thwe, public relations manager of the Myanmar Marketing Committee.

“The Team is now involved in the rehabilitation process as part of the relief effort, especially the rebuilding of school structures,” she added.

The project is progressing well and the construction of new schools for elementary pupils is 95 percent complete, according to the UMTA.

The budget for each school construction is estimated at US$2000-$2500, including 2.5 tons of timber, 200-250 corrugated zinc sheets, bamboo walls, nails and labour costs. The schools will be equipped with benches, teachers’ tables and five blackboards each. Beyond rebuilding basic infrastructure, there are still additional require-ments. In particular, the Joint Cyclone Relief Team encourages donors to provide school uniforms.

The Joint Cyclone Relief Team believe that the provision of schools will not only equip children with the skills for a successful future, but also provide a supportive environment in which children will be better able to overcome the psychological traumas they have faced as a result of Nargis.