Wednesday, 01 February 2012 18:32 Kyaw Kha
Her visit included British and Australian diplomats who accompanied her to Paypintike and Kyittee villages to observe programs in education, agriculture, health and business.
“The British government has launched international development funds, and some of them have been allocated to fight poverty,” said security official Khun Thar Myint who accompanied Suu Kyi.
The Department for International Development [DFID], a United Kingdom governmental department, has earmarked 300 million pounds for Burma from 2012 to 2015 to aid in poverty alleviation, to be delivered through UN organizations, international and local NGOs and social organizations.
During the trip, Suu Kyi observed small-scale sewing enterprises, a bakery and agricultural projects, all intended to employ and empower villagers.
In reply to Suu Kyi’s questions, villagers talked about the need for more water for agricultural and other needs. Suu Kyi said she would help the villagers to overcome those difficulties and urged them to venture out and try to do more.
Suu Kyi did not inform the public in advance about her visit, officials said, because the trip had nothing to do with politics and canvassing. However, very large groups of supporters turned out along the Bagan-NyaungU-Pakokku-Myaing route, according to reporters who accompanied Suu Kyi’s trip.
“During her round trip, there were many supporters, especially in Pakokku. The ides of the roads were very crowded with supporters, and drivers could not drive fast. Our cars took more than three hours for a one-hour trip. Many people welcomed her. They welcomed her with various styles. In Myaing, people welcomed her by banging Burmese drums,” a reporter who accompanied her told Mizzima.
A woman told Mizzima, “I’m over 20. In the past, I have seen her only in photos. Now, I have seen her in the real world. She’s too much prettier than in her photos. When I approached her to give flowers, there was a big crowd, so I had to shove to get to her.”
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