Participation in 2nd National Scouts Jamboree, 2014

Being the leader of his high school Scout Club, Htet Myet was selected to attend 2nd National Scouts Jamboree, which took place in Pyin Oo Lwin and Nay Pyi Taw in late April, 2014.  National Scouts Jamboree was the annual gathering of scout leaders and outstanding scouts from all over the country.

His brief account of his experience is as follows.

“It was the very first trip in my life that I went without my parents and also one of the most exciting trips in my life.

When we, scouts from Yangon Region, arrived at Pyin Oo Lwin, we were assigned to different groups, which I did not expect. I was in Group 18 and people in my group were from different regions. I was both excited and nervous at the time because I had never stayed with people whom I had not known before. Later, these people became my best scout colleagues during the camp.

On the second day, in National Kandawgyi Park of Pyin Oo Lwin, we, all scouts together with President U Thein Sein, pledged Scout Oath and Law before Myanmar national flag and Scout flag. It was the moment I was proud of being a scout myself. After that, the camp began. For two days, in Pine Forest of the Park, we built tents together, had meals together, talked with each other, and learned experiences from Senior Scouts.

Then, we were assigned to volunteer in different places. Some volunteered at Mahar EntHtooKanThar Pagoda, some at old age home, and others at home for deaf people. I was assigned to volunteer at Yay Nge Village. It was fun to help local people from the village, listened to their stories, and discovered their life-style.

On the last day of our camp at Pyin Oo Lwin, we celebrated campfire party. All scouts who became friends in a few days circled around the fire and danced together in the middle of the cold night of the hill-top resort. It was one of the best memories of the jamboree.

Next day, we left Pyin Oo Lwin and headed to Nay Pyin Taw, the capital city of Myanmar. There, we visited several interesting places, such as Uppatasanti Pagoda, the Hluttaw (Parliament), Defense Services Museum, and Wanna Theikdi Sports Stadium. We also got the opportunity to attend National Outstanding Award Giving Ceremony, which was held at Presidential Place, as observers and dinner reception hosted by President U Thein Sein.

After two days in Nay Pyin Taw, we said good bye each other and left for our own region. This jamboree is my life-changing experience because it is my first time to stay with people who I had never known before, engage with different people from different regions, different cultures, and different backgrounds, and learn new things from them. I also learn that although we stayed together only for a few days during the camp, the bond between us remains strong because we are scout brothers and sisters.”