HlaMin

Tag: Myanmar

  • Myanmar Community

    Myanmar Community

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    There are many Myanmar Communities around the world.

    OMC

    One Myanmar Community (OMC) is based in Union City, Northern California. Its main activity and fund raiser is the Annual Thingyan Festival held in May (for logistic reasons). A “Thet Kyee Pu Zaw Pwe” co-hosted by TDS (Theravada Dhamma Society) is an integral component of the Festival. There are sumptuous food and a plethora of entertainment by the young and the old, and from near and far (some from Myanmar).

    Activities

    OMC has helped the Myanmar Community in many ways. The following is a sample :

    • Fund raising for “Flood Relief” Programs in Myanmar
    • Co-hosting San Francisco Bay Area Literary Talks
    • Language Classes (Myanmar, English Japanese, Korean)
    • Dance Classes (e.g. by Thida Win (Moe Nat Thuzar))
    • Musical Evenings (e.g. by Gita Hmu Tin Ko Ko)
    • Fitness Program (e.g. Yoga)
    • Preparation Classes (DMV license, Citizenship)
    • Knowledge sharing (Medical insurance, Study grant)
    • Meeting with Myanmar Ambassador and Consul General of Los Angeles
    • Highlight Myanmar Culture in selected Bay Area Events (e.g. Asian Heritage)
  • Kha Lay

    Kha Lay

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    Kha Lay means child.

    Kha Lay Ba Wa means childhood. The days of the innocent childhood became a theme of the song composed by Sai Kham Leik and sung by Sai Htee Saing.

    Young Sons

    Kha Lay Ah Thinn

    • Some time back, my cousin sister said, “I still have the paper with the song that you wrote for Kha Lay Ah Thinn.”
    • When we were young, there was no Internet or TV.
    • The Burma Broadcasting Service (BBS) would broadcast for specified hours in the morning, afternoon, evening and night.
    • We spend a lot of time outdoors.
    • One hangout was the corner in our uncle’s compound.
    • Someone came up with the idea that we should form a “Kha Lay Ah Thinn”. I was chosen to be the “Okkahta” (President). I am not a composer, but that did not prevent from trying out a “Theme Song”. The music and lyrics were not spectacular, but I would have earned a nod for moving out of my comfort zone.
    • We did not have fund. Our uncles, aunts and elder cousins decided to help with the fund raiser. There was the renowned “Bu Thee Gyaw & Ah Chin”. It may be a sign that I would become an organizer.

    KG

    • I did not cherish going to school at an early age. It was not fun to get up early.
    • It was not easy to use slate.
    • All that changed when a caring Karen Christian Teacher named “Teacher Kywe” magically transformed me into a dutiful student with an inquiring mind.

    Myees (Grand children)

    Young Myees
    • The elder Myee is 11 years old. The younger Myee is 8 years old. They are excellent in studies, sports and social relations.
    • They have lots of books, educational kits and toys. They enjoy visiting zoos, play grounds, gyms, and museums. They like TV, You Tube and taking photos.