700 Fisher Boats

700 Fishing Boats in Myanmar, – World Chefs Without Borders 700 WCWB fishing boats – stands for near 224.000 Euro or 287.000 $ US
Thank YOU,– to all Donor 10.2008 to 11.2.2012
Myanmar Delta fishermen and fisherwomen can support Chefs again active through tools as fishing boats and nets with fresh and best quality fish.
In March 2011 an unseasonal cyclone hit the southern part of the Myanmar Delta, south of Pypon and Dadeye. Several thousand fishermen we caught by surprise and washed into the open Bay of Bengale as far as near Thailand in southern Myanmar as well some were rescued by Indian ships in front of the Andaman Islands. MCA – WCWB reported at WACS website ( http://www.wacs2000.org ).

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In May 2011 our pledge was heard and we could hand over as reported many fishing boats to fishermen at the town of Dadeye,- where many of the aid receiver were women – lost their husbands and are now in charge to make an earning for the families living.
After all legal matters were cleared with the Indian Government, in December 2011 the Myanmar Government arranged charter flights from Yangon to Port Blair at the Andaman Islands and brought back the remaining cyclone victim – fishermen to Myanmar and homes.
At the welcome meeting, which was arranged by MCA – WCWB cooperation partner, the “Myanmar Fisheries Federation”, we decided to try it again and start to raise money for 135 fishing boats, 24 feet long hardwood, with higher sides as they need to stand the waves of open sea fishing,- not as in the rivers like we did many before. ( see here also report at http://www.wacs2000.org ) December 2011.
Fresh and good fish and seafood is a very essential part of ingredient for any chef all over the world,- so the main aim and motivation was of course to help the people which lost everything, bring them back on track ensure that they can make a living and have funds to send their children to school. A part of this where ever there is a shortage prices raise and make the living for even much more people difficult. In the same time it is also a win – win for fishermen, their families and chefs, so that we are able to cook with best and fresh ingredients.
104 Fishing Boats MCA with many cooperation partners of World Chefs Without Borders ( WCWB of WACS ), could arrange to be funded a bit short of our main goal, 135 boats, but still a great achievement and at same time hit the 700th fishing boat mark – handed over by Myanmar Chefs Association (MCA ) and the Myanmar Fisheries Federation ( MFF ) from October 2008 until 11th February 2012, direct to the people of Myanmar.
All fishing boats were again built by MCA & MFF boat builder from Delta region, many additional jobs were created at Kawmu and Kunyangon delta townships helping people with their own skills and sources to earn their living on an honest and pride of their profession,- not depend on a Aid Drip.
A donation for a fishing boat, – supports up to 4 or 5 families living
from boat carpenter to fish seller at markets.
On 11th February 2012 all Members of MCA, foreign donor groups, MMF members started off as early as 3:30 am, as it was learnt that at same delta road another bigger convoy was on the way,- not to get into the traffic jams, we started early by 4:00 am every one was on board and the bus was rolling.
Loaded also with hundreds of brand new Seaman Jackets of the MS EUROPA, Hapag Lloyd donated over 700 these thick and even when wet warm jackets to MCA for people in need. To the fishermen which lost everything this was a great extra – for Hapag Lloyd is was “Trade – Related, Well Done ”, Mr Juergen Gessner of Stiftung Life Foundation wrote the days later to us. It was his brain child to bring together Hapag Lloyd Aid projects all over the world with as many as possible WACS – WCWB members countries along the routing of MS EUROPA or MS Columbus. Getting the donors as close as possible to the aid and development sites, highest transparency, seeing is believing.
Dr dent Marlar Tan a great associate of MCA based in Singapore sent many boxes of clothes and new shoes for the families at the southern part of Pyapon delta. All was packed into the bus and with us on the way.
In Pyapon we were welcomed by U Kyi Ngwe and members of MFF with a good Myanmar Monhingar and Ohno Khaw Suay Breakfast.
Three times we had to changes from bus to truck from truck to pick up until we reached after 6,5 hours drive the very remote beach village of, Khae Phyat Village. Direct at the shore or the open Bay of Bengale.
U Soe Naing, Chairman of Myanmar Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Development Committee with hundreds of villagers, many in traditional Karen ethnic dress welcomed us to a grand official hand over ceremony. U Soe Naing highlighted the long friendship between MFF and MCA and the many joint development and aid events between both,- also spoke of the latest aim to join hands in the fields of “Certified Organic Farming “ where MFF is keen to get support from MCA as well the World Association of Chefs Societies, again to support for Chefs a healthy and sustainable Food Basket.
After the official hand over we all drove another several miles along the beach where all 104 fishing boats and MS EUROPA seaman jackets waited for the hand over to each fishermen, sometimes fisherwomen, where the husband simply did not return after the cyclone assumed dead. Often we saw also very young men taking the duty to support and feed the rest of the family, here the fathers name of the young men, as identification in the donation lists reminded us on the many fishermen which lost their lives at this unseasonal cyclone in March 2011. At same time how much risk and hard time a fisherman has day or night in and out,——- A big reason for us to remember and appreciate the fish and seafood they catch for us all, treat this food as a high value item with biggest respect to these and all over the world small fishermen and their families. Making a living still against a giant Lobby Driven – Fishing Industry which in many countries drives these families out of jobs, opportunities and out of a decent living as they are used to since centuries.
Myanmar Fishermen still in many parts advantaged as through the past 20 years issues, big global companies are not here jet. May a present as well a future leader of Myanmar protect not only the
fish and seafood but also these small fishing industry. Negative beginnings are there already as foreign prawn fishing fleet at Ngapali Beach – Rakhine State, where with big boats catch not one single prawn is left over as well not one single job is given to a Myanmar Fisherman there and no benefit all to any Myanmar family.
Myanmar Chefs Association would like to thank very much to all Donor, specially Rene Esser and Mr. Bernd Gortheil in Germany for organizing already the second time a Charity Music Concert for Myanmar people, with the Emsland Orchestra and the RWE Power Band – Germany, in Lingen, this time to fund fishing boats. Thanks to our Swiss friends of Christine Landolt and the many guests of Laguna Lodge – Ngapali Beach which funded boats through the below friends of MCA – WCWB.
One MCA fishing boat is sailing now on a very special mission for us, the Chefs of Myanmar Chefs Association,- it is the boat donated as: “… Werner Rumpf – Bands For Burma – Final Destination.. “, – Mr Werner a very strong supporter of MCA and MCA aid activities since many years – just as last year with a good amount of funds to MCA – WCWB “Somalia Refugee Aid Mission 2011 “ and the past weeks again he funded a boat for a Myanmar family. He was supposed to be with us at the Bay of Bengale- Khye Kyat Village and hand over his boat into the hands of a fisherman on the 11th February 2012.
Sadly,- just a week before Mr Werner Rumpf passed away all of a sudden unexpected, quietly. With sad feelings it still gives us some happiness that Werner was able to support and ensure food and living for a Delta fishing family even he is not with us anymore as we were used to have him around over the past 15 years in the Hospitality & Tourism Industry of Myanmar with his Sunbird Travels & Tours. Mr Werner Rumpf a great and always outspoken friend we lost. Happy we had the time with him.
Great thanks to Mr Juergen Mueller Neuendorf, Mrs Regina, Mr Werner Stanislowski of MHW and Rotary Club Schaebisch Gmuend – Rosenstein in Germany which similar to Mrs Mallu & Werner Heller of Action Myanmar e.V. are in the upper league with both each over 224 collected fishing boats to Myanmar families. Mr Frank Franke and LOG – Wing of Help deserves a great recognition as he was the main initiator with MCA and Mr Bruchhagen – President of Eintracht Frankfurt – Germany which came up with a first thought: “ 11 Fishing Boats for 11 Players of Eintracht Frankfurt at German Premier League in October 2008 “ after cyclone Nargis hit hard the Delta people of Myanmar. Than Juergen Gessner with Stiftung Life and Hapag Lloyd – MS Europa & MS Columbus, all excellent cooperation partner of MCA – WCWB .
Thanks to MCA volunteer Chef Win Ko Maung, Chef Myat Thu Win, Chef Than Win, Chef Naing Oo, Soe Han and Thet Naing, also thanks to an always ready,- great cooperation partner of MCA – the Myanmar Fisheries Federation here specially U Gyi Ngwe, – and last not least great thanks for the tihis time support of U Soe Naing ,- former Minister of Tourism and best promoter of Myanmar Chefs Association in the past. U Soe Naing at present Chairman of Fisheries, Livestock and Agriculture development to Myanmar, based in Pyapon – Ayeyarwaddy State – Myanmar Delta.
700 WCWB fishing boats – stand for near 224.000 Euro or 287.000 $ US
With best greetings and thanks looking forward to great future days of Myanmar fishermen and their families, working on organic, sustainable and environmental fishing and fish breading
methods,- granting them both a good live within their social – economical system as well taking part active on the positive developments and always upgrade of their live, education, health and living standards.

Keep it always HOT and COOKING, –

Yours
Oliver E Soe Thet
President Myanmar Chefs Association
Board, World Chefs Without Borders ( WACS member )
Yangon, 15.2.2012, The Republic of The Un ion of Myanmar