It’s the people, it’s the people, it’s the people…

MMR principal Kru Prasit leads by example!

In New Zealand we have a Maori proverb:

He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata! He tangata! He tangata!

What is the most important thing in the world? It is people! It is people! It is people!

We have been away from Ranong for a week now and every day we think about the people who have impacted us. We will not forget them. Here is a snap shot of some of the MMR people.

Friends

Loading the bus, ready to go home.

Joining in prayer during the visit of a Buddhist monk.

Some of our Year 1 students arriving at school.

Teacher Kimberly with some of the kindergarten students.

Look at my glove! He wore this all day!

Toby, a member of the Health Team.

Fr Gill sm, a member of the Health Team.

Sr Josephine rndm, shows no fear and leads by example!

Mike with Fr Pat Devlin sm, the Asia sector leader, a true servant leader and such a kind man!

Teacher Mary with her pre-school class, such a talented teacher.

Being farewelled by some of our Year 1 students. Tissues please.

Happy Kindergarten students

Four of our online students, three of whom are teachers at MMR. From left to right Ambrose, Jim, Mary and Rosie.

My special friend, neighbour and travelling companion, Nancy, who is a pre-school teacher at MMR.

Two of our Year 1 students, so keen to learn!

One of our younger Year 1 students. (12Yrs old)

Fr Frank Bird sm with Kyaw Naing (John-i) and his mother. John-i is one of our ACU on-line students

Marist fathers from the Asia sector met in Ranong for a Chapter Meeting, such a happy, friendly group of men.

Sr Margaret rndm is a registered nurse from Myanmar who takes such good care of those in need. Sr Margaret and Sr Josephine were our neighbours.

Tiny, tiny, tiny baby boy (16 days old). His mother who has already lost one child to AIDS lights up when she sees her new son. What will his future be?

Visiting Kyaw Naing’s family.

Fr Gill celebrating mass at the Marist House, behind are factories that Burmese live and work in. This is, quite literally, life at the (char)coal face. “where there is despair, let me bring hope”

Yamoun-Angel, one of our bridging programme students at her work place.

Our bridging programme class. They know that education is their ticket to a better life for them and their families. ALL of them want to contribute to their community.

Even though I was present when this was taken I cried when I saw this picture, it is cropped to protect the identity of the HIV patient. The sense of despair was palpable. This fisherman’s story kept me awake at night. His wife is a courageous woman who loves her husband. Google ‘sold to the sea’ to learn more about the life of men like this.

Our farewell.

Mike commented that even he has never given me this many roses!

With Jim and Ambrose.

Imparting final words of wisdom (?) to our Year 1 boys.

Our ACU on-line class at work. An inspiring group of people.