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Toys won't help children in Myanmar
- Subject: Toys won't help children in Myanmar
- From: moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 26 May 1999 03:23:00
Subject: Toys won't help children in Myanmar (The Straits Times)
MAY 24 1999 The Straits Times
Toys won't help children in Myanmar
Myanmar is not a war-torn or disaster-stricken
country. Neither is it in poverty.
I REFER to your article, "Used toys wanted for children
in Myanmar" (ST, May 21).
The article stated that Metta Welfare Association is
collecting used toys for "the Myanmar children who are
having a hard time working for pennies, foraging for food
and searching for shelter" and that "these toys would
give
them much comfort and hope".
As a fellow citizen of Myanmar, I am still pondering the
real meaning of this gesture.
In my opinion, these used toys will not help and are not
the essential needs of the children. Used toys could not
bring hope to the children of Myanmar.
Myanmar is not a war-torn or disaster-stricken country.
Neither is it in poverty.
The entire population is self-sufficient in basic
requirements such as food, clothes and shelter.
In Myanmar, it is a tradition that the welfare of the
elderly, orphans and poor children are taken care of by
the society, and the Ministry of Social Welfare also
undertakes full responsibility for their welfare.
Since Myanmar is a developing country, it is my view that
technical cooperation in the fields of education and
health
is the most appropriate requirement for the children of
Myanmar.
MYINT SOE
Counsellor
Embassy of the Union of Myanmar