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Latest Update from Chauk
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The Chauk ADP is located in the dry zone at the centre of the country, about 40 minutes’ drive from the ancient city of Bagan. World Vision aims to improve the living conditions of almost 309,329 people who live in one of the most impoverished parts of Myanmar. World Vision Myanmar has worked closely with community and government representatives to develop a programme that meets the vision and long-term, sustainable goals of the community.

Your Communities Journey

Your community is in year 3

Health and water

Chauk has a scarcity of water, especially clean drinking water, because of deforestation, droughts and contaminated surface water that causes water-borne diseases. Families are limited to one 50-gallon drum of water per day for drinking, cooking and washing. They also have to share the water quota with their goats and cows. World Vision is working with the community to improve water supply, drainage systems and irrigation. In Chauk, 27 per cent of children under 3 suffer from malnutrition. Awareness-raising among pregnant women about breastfeeding is a priority. The Chauk community also has to cope with a shortage of drugs and limited access to healthcare services, such as antenatal and maternity care, as government policy has stopped health centres from sharing medical costs. World Vision has developed plans to help the people work with community healthcare staff to improve the wellbeing of the entire community.

Education

In the absence of adults who migrate to cities and towns in search of jobs, many children have to help out with household chores and do not attend school. Illiteracy is widespread and general education poor. World Vision is introducing programmes to ensure children receive an education.

Income generation and economic development

Poor access roads to Chauk exacerbate the community's isolation and poverty. The area does have land for agriculture, and rivers and forests, which will help improve household income once people have learnt how to manage these natural resources appropriately. World Vision is also developing plans to enable farmers to increase their crop and livestock income by training farmers in modern agricultural practices, and helping them to access low-interest loans and markets.

Sustainable development

With the financial support of World Vision New Zealand, World Vision Myanmar started researching the need for an ADP in Chauk in 2007. World Vision’s partnership with the Chauk ADP is envisaged to stretch over a period of 15 years. During this time, the community will work towards increased self-reliance. Once this objective has been achieved, World Vision will withdraw from the ADP and the community will take responsibility for its own development.

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  • World Vision will assist families in Chauk to pursue alternative sources of income, such as pig farming.
    Photo: Kathy Htoo
  • Vegetables mean better health for children. World Vision develops programmes to train farmers in modern agricultural practices to improve their crop production, and also helps them to access lowinterest loans and markets.
    Photo: Wah Eh Htoo
  • In its Myanmar ADPs, including Chauk, World Vision implements programmes to support children living with a disability.
    Photo: Khaing Min Htoo
  • Ei Ei (left) has to take care of her twin sisters in her free time. She did run the risk of being trafficked, but now attends a non-formal education centre established by World Vision.
    Photo: Nyein Pyae Sone
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Myanmar at a glance

Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) shares borders with Thailand, Laos, China, India and Bangladesh and is one of the world's most ethnically diverse countries. It has abundant natural resources, especially timber, precious stones, oil, gas and fertile soil. However it is subject to destructive earthquakes, cyclones, flooding and landslides, and for the vast majority of the population there are few services or opportunities. Politically, the country has moved from a colonial administration to socialist government, then, in 1988, to a military regime known as the State Peace and Development Council.

Myanmar Map - Chauk