The General Secretary of Myanmar Council of Churches (MCC), Rev. Mahn Palmerston visited the Singapore office of the Council for World Mission (CWM) on 25 April. The MCC oversees the various Myanmarese churches grouped according to regional councils.
Palmerston was warmly received by Rev. Julie Sim, Mission Secretary for Mission Programme and Partnership; Rev. Dr Amelia Koh-Butler, Mission Secretary for Education, Formation, and Empowerment; SoonYew Sum, Mission Secretary for Finance; and Rev. Dileep Kandula, Mission Secretary of the General Secretariat.
The hour-long visit was marked by a heartfelt sharing by Palmerston on the current situation in Myanmar as the country continues to grapple with the aftereffects of a terrible pandemic, a military coup that has thrown the state into chaos and division, and ongoing struggles and challenges brought about by an earthquake in late March that devastated homes, killed and displaced multitudes, upended infrastructures, and disrupted core public services.
Describing the Myanmar people as a spirited and erudite population that have remained strong despite grave challenges, Palmerston expressed his deep appreciation for the support, prayers, and a strong sense of solidarity shared with the MCC and PCM through the extensive CWM partnership network.
Bemoaning the lack of quality education which he identified as the key to unlocking the latent potentials of Myanmar youth and society, Palmerston also critiqued fiercely the current junta’s obsession with power that has seen it prioritising the extension of its political might over the wellbeing of the population, a dichotomy that was exemplified by its abysmal budget on public healthcare and education vis a vis spending on itself.
Palmerston’s sharing was also peppered with interesting anecdotes that allowed a close glimpse into the daily lives of the common Myanmar citizenry that has displayed a remarkable spirit of resilience in the face of so much destruction, as he recounted a visit to a bar that continued its operations while being flanked by rubble and corpses.
“The proprietor told me that a portion of the proceeds of his sales will be donated towards restoring his neighbourhood,” said Palmerston, highlighting the sense of community that was evident in Myanmar.
The visit was closed with prayer by Koh-Butler over Myanmar, and with Palmerston receiving funds from a Solidarity and Action Grant in aid of Myanmar’s efforts in combatting the hardships wrought by the earthquake, and a CWM plaque as a token of friendship and support.