Parasols up on sale to raise funds for Myanmar charity

The exhibition is being organised by the Better Burmese Health Care (BBHC) in the hope of raising funds for its numerous healthcare programmes for the poor nationwide. 

Established in 2005, BBHC is made up of Myanmar doctors and other medical professionals led by doctors Sama Jalin, San San Oo and Myint Myint Sein. The local NGO usually relies on local donors for its medical missions that include providing free medical treatments to poor villagers in remote areas.

Myanmar’s low national budget for public health is failing to trickle down to the country’s grassroots level. In the current fiscal year, public health accounts for 6.5 per cent of the overall national budget that is largely reserved for defence. Myanmar’s spending on healthcare is the third lowest in Asean, according to a recent survey by Action Aid Myanmar (AAM).

“Since we started BBHC in 2005, we’ve become well known among the public. That’s why more and more patients are coming to us for treatments. But we need more funds to run the organisation in the longer term,” said Han Lin Soe, a doctor with BBHC. 

The exhibition is the brainchild of Robert Berg (the husband of Dr Sama Jalin, an ethnic Kachin) who, after consulting noted artist Nay Aung Shu, decided to organise the fund-raiser. 

Nay Aung Shu was responsible for inviting artists to take part in the project for which they created masterpieces free of charge. These include Aung Thi Ha, Aung Thic, Aunt Thu Ra, Aye Nyein Myint, Ba Star Bagyi Lynn Wunna, Dawei Tu Tu, Hein Thit, Jim Nee, K Kyaw, Kahayay Myint Than, Kaung Wai, Kyaw Lin, Kyaw Soe, Kyaw Tint, Ma Yi Khin Min Zaw, Min Zayar Oo, MMA, Moe Kyaw That, Myat, Myo Min Latt, Nay Aung Shu, Nay Chi, NCS (Nyein Chan Su), San Naing, SNA, Tar Tie, Than Htay, Tghit Nay San, Thu Ra, Tin Tin Khine, Ye Lin Aung, Yupa, Zaw Oo, Zaw Win Pe and Zaw Win Thaton. 

On display are parasols that bear watercolour paintings of religious themes (pagodas, monasteries, monks, the Buddha’s footprints) and democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi. Other parasols depict the bucolic charm of the countryside and imaginary creatures like a mermaid. 

Parasols are locally referred to as ‘Pathein Hti’ because they are made in Pathein Township of Ayeyawady Region. Part of the country’s traditional cottage industry, the Pathein Hti parasols are normally hand-made from teak, bamboo and cotton and popular with foreign tourists. 

The products are unique because they are covered with paintings showing a predominant flower motif. Undecorated brown parasols are normally used by Buddhist monks.

Visitors can bid on the art works they prefer, but they need to register at the counter first and make an initial bid. The floor price for each work is US$200 and bidding in the “silent auction” will continue until 8.30pm on Friday. The winner will be announced as part of the closing ceremony on the same day. Part of the proceeds will go to several healthcare programmes under the BBHC. 

 

Let’s pitch in

The BBHC’s public health programmes are run by physicians, pharmacists, nurses and volunteers. About 25 members of the BBHC operate two clinics in South Dagon and Kabae of Yangon every evening plus a mobile clinic, which is run once a week in South Dagon, West Dagon and Ywarthargyi. For more information, visit betterburmesehealthcare.org.