Christmas in this Buddhist land is (thankfully) not the great commercial event it has become in many Western countries – but neither is it marked at all. In fact, it’s a normal working day for most people. However, MMR does put aside some time to mark this special time of year, both within the community and within the many programmes that we run.

MTP interpretive dance

While each department celebrated in its own way, the main event was undoubtedly the combined MMR Christmas party, held on 23rd December. The massive party included children from all our programmes, their parents and siblings, teachers, HIV patients, staff, library users, adult students, and all other manner of folk who are associated with MMR’s various programmes.

CP children singing Christmas songs

Over 450 people inundated Marist house for a celebration that included performances of song, dance and drama,  food, general celebration and much joy.

There was a chance for everyone to shine.  Level Four MTP students opened the show with an impressive interpretive dance, followed by a traditional Myanmar dance showcasing the different ethnic groups.

CCC staff, students and visitors

Not to be outdone, the Child Protection children performed a Christmas medley of songs in Burmese and English – with great enthusiasm!

The Chanel Community Centre’s contribution included a short skit, a beautiful song with dancing by the nursery children and combined singing by all CCC staff and visitors.  The grand finale was a combined choral performance by all MTP students, conducted by volunteer teacher Mike – quite the professionals they were too!

Time for some well-earned dinner!

A shared meal concluded the evening.

It was great to see so many MMR supporters present, and the atmosphere of the evening was a real celebration of joy, peace and community – just what Christmas should be about!

On Christmas Eve, community members joined the local Thai parish for evening Mass, while a beautiful English Mass was celebrated Marist House the next day.

MMR wishes all its friends and supporters a blessed Christmas season and a happy and peaceful 2011.

The first of December each year marks World AIDS Day – a day to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS and to promote measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

Here in Ranong, we normally mark this day by participating in a parade headed by the Government as a campaign for HIV/AIDS awareness. The parade didn’t quite happen this year, so MMR decided to mark the day internally, with an awareness seminar for Marist Training Programme (MTP) and older Child Protection (CP) students. As the incidence of HIV/AIDS among the Burmese migrant community in Ranong is very high, this was a particularly topical and educational seminar for students.

The seminar was conducted by members of the health team. They began by discussing with students the difference between the HIV virus, which is communicable, and the AIDS syndrome, which is non-communicable. The seminar helped the students to understand what HIV/AIDS is, so that they may be able to help those who are victims of the virus in their own communities and neighbourhoods – as well as avoiding it themselves in the future.

As a new school semester begins at MTP (the second for the school year 2010-2011) we welcome a new volunteer to the MMR community.  Mike Savali hails from Wellington, where he is a teacher at the oldest Marist college in New Zealand, St Patrick’s Wellington. While with MMR he will be focusing his teaching talents on the MTP programme, both as a teacher and as a mentor to fellow staff. Mike will be with us until the end of the school year in March 2011, and we are grateful for the time and gifts he shares with us.

Mike Savali teaching at MTP

Sa wat dee khrap and Mingalaba. My name is Mike Savali. I am a teacher at St Patrick’s College, Wellington and have been there a number of years. I am here in Ranong to volunteer with MMR for the next six months.

MMR have placed me at the Marist Training Programme – MTP. The second semester has begun and I am teaching English and Science. One thing I have noticed since the beginning of the semester is that the children of MTP are very keen and enthusiastic to learn. Their handwriting in their exercise books is exceptionally neat. The children are polite and always greet you as they pass you.

One big challenge I face while in Ranong is learning the Thai and Burmese languages – I hope that in the short time I am here, I will pick up some words and phrases of both languages.

Earlier this week, all members of MMR staff gathered for a staff training day, the first in some months due to holidays and staff absences.  The theme of this month’s training was “Looking Back, Moving Forward”

Volunteer Mike Sivali presents a gift of soccer balls from the Wellington Marist Rugby Club

The day began with the introduction of several new faces to the MMR team, and an update of recent news and events within the departments. Fr John’s welcome reminded us that our role in MMR is more than just a job – we are part of  a family, made up of community members, employees and volunteers working together for the poorest of the poor in Ranong. As there have been a number of changes in staff over the past 18 months, new staff photos were then taken of each department – check them out here.

For the rest of the morning, staff divided into departmental teams. They were asked to reflect on their activities over the past 12 months, together with any achievements they were particularly proud of and any challenges they had faced. These reflections were presented back to the main group, which allowed all staff members to appreciate the great work being done in other departments.

The Chanel Team reflect on the past year

After a delicious lunch organised by the health department, the afternoon’s session kicked off with each team presenting – amid much laughter –  a dramatic tableaux that represented the current face of their department. The focus of the afternoon then shifted to the future, as each team considered what its plans and dreams are for the coming months.

The Heath Team's vision for the future

The day ended, as it had begun, in prayer – in the form of a meditation on the day’s learnings led by Ian John.