Women in Mon State eagerly join Shin Saw Puu Association

July 23, 2012

HURFOM: Women across Mon State are actively applying to the Shin Saw Puu Association for Mon women, founded earlier this year. The Association is rapidly attracting new members, and women report their perception that the group is a sincere effort toward developing women’s leadership skills and financially assisting poor women and youth education. Despite the membership fee of 1,000 kyat per month, women from urban and rural areas alike are readily signing up.

The Shin Saw Puu Association aims to mobilize Mon women to collaborate on social programs and help vulnerable women overcome hardship. The Association’s mission statement describes four primary objectives in economic development, healthcare, education, and social welfare for women. Locals can also establish their own Shin Saw Puu Association office in their home village or city after receiving permission from the main office in Moulmein.

Women from Rangoon, Karen State, and most villages of Thanbyuzayat, Apoung, Ye, Mudon, and Pegu Townships in Mon State have already set up small branches of the Shin Saw Puu Association.

Member Mi Yin Mon from Chao Palaing village in Thanbyuzayat Township said, “I was first interested in joining because the organization is named after Mon queen Shin Saw Puu. This Association really encourages women to participate in leadership roles, and they inspire many women to get involved. They provide for children who cannot continue school or who may not have a chance to study. I like their mission, especially the focus on women leadership, so I applied to be a member. For me, I think this foundation is very useful to women and I was happy to apply.”

The Association does not currently accept members who cannot pay the monthly dues, which are used to support community programs and services. Some local women expressed disappointment at being unable to afford the cost, and said they hope to eventually join.

“I will apply to be a member of the Association soon. I like their activities and, since many women apply, I want to join as well,” said a Moulmein resident who works with a community women’s organization.

One member of the central Shin Saw Puu Association in Moulmein told WCRP, “Any woman from anywhere can apply to the association, and we simply strive to help women and children in the community. We have a lot of future plans, particularly supporting children who cannot attend school and providing yearly academic scholarships to two children from each participating township. We also intend to create an open study area for high school students.”

The Shin Saw Puu Association has three delegated representatives from 15 townships, and is led by Association Director Mi Kyin Than, second director Mi Kon Chit Chit, and secretary Mi Than Shin.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News