Participation in Innlay Luyeechun Youth Camp, 2017

Every year, the Ministry of Education selects all-around outstanding youths (Luyeechun, in Burmese) from high schools all over the country. In late April, these selected youths from all 14 states and regions come together at youth camps in Bagan, Innlay, and Ngwe Saung. At these youth camps, they attend seminars, visit famous landmarks, excurse local culture and businesses, and share their different perspectives on local issues.

To become a Luyeechun, a student has to pass three-level: school-level, township-level, and district-level. In each level, he has to take written-tests in Myanmar, English, Mathematics, and General Knowledge, sit for a verbal interview, and compete in sports, which include 800-meter run, 100-meter sprint, push-ups, and standing long jump.

Htet Myet was selected as an all-around outstanding student (Luyeechun) of Western District, Yangon Region in 2017 for the second time and participated in Luyeechun Youth Camp in Innlay Lake, Shan State. 

His brief accout of his personal experience is as follows.

“Although Innlay Camp was my second time to participate as an all-around outstanding student (Luyeechun), I was more excited than the first trip because I had never been to Innlay before.

Like my first trip, we left Yangon for Mandalay in the evening of 27th May, 2017. Next morning, we arrived at Mandalay and stayed there for a day, waiting for Luyeechuns from other regions to arrive. On 29th May, we were assigned to our own groups. This time, I was in Group 2. Other Luyeechuns from my group were from Shan State, Chin State, Ayeyarwaddy Region, Magway Region, Kayin State, Kayah State, and Sagaing Region. Then we paid homage to Mandalay Mahar Muni Buddha Image and began our trip to Innlay Camp, which is situated on the shore of Innlay Lake, the second largest lake in Myanmar surrounded by Shan hills.

When we arrived at Kalaw, which sits on the half-way between Mandalay and Innlay, I was surprised by a large crowd of people welcoming us. I had read about the hospitality of Shan people in books, but I had never experienced it until then. It was the first time in my life to be welcomed by such a large group of people in colorful traditional costumes with lively Shan music and dances.

In the evening of 29th April, we arrived at Innlay Camp. Next day, we attended seminars about environmental conservation and agriculture in Innlay. In individual quiz competition about environmental conservation, I got the first prize. We also met with Senior Luyeechuns and heard their life-stories. Luyeechuns from all 14 states and regions also presented about their state, culture, food, and tradition on that day.

On 1st May, 2019, the opening ceremony of the camp was held and attended by Union Minister for Education Dr. Myo Thein Gyi. During the excursion around Innlay, we visited local businesses, such as silvery industry and textile industry, famous pagodas, such as Innlay Phaungtawoo Pagoda, summer paddy fields, and the Hawnann (Palace of Saopha of Nyaung Shwe).

On 3rd May, we visited around Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State. Places we visited included famous pagodas and caves around the city, Taunggyi Market, Aye Tharyar Industrial Zone, and Shan umbrella industry. In the evening of 4th May, the closing ceremony of the camp and the dinner reception hosted by Shan State Chief Minister U Linn Htut was held at City Hall.

From this camp, I could see both the beauty of Shan State and the beauty of Shan People, who are brothers and sisters of the Union. Till today, I remember their warm-hearted hospitality and friendliness from the bottom of my heart.”