Experiences sharing about working with LWF Myanmar

San Thein Maung sharing about his experience of working with LWF Myanmar.

I joined LWF Myanmar as Community Empowerment Facilitator in 2009.  Building on that foundational grassroots experience I became a Project Officer in 2013 and Project Coordinator in 2015.  Since mid-2016, I have served as Deputy Program Manager and member of the Executive Management Team of LWF Myanmar. Among the reasons for staying with LWF for the past 8 years are, the organization’s Vision, Mission, values, approaches and practices. They put the people first and include them in processes that are rights-based and empowering.  I find that a unique, longer-term and sustainable approach is exciting and motivating.

Post Cyclone Nargis, in 2009, LWF Myanmar implemented project activities for the Rehabilitation and Recovery Processes in Delta and Yangon Region. I stayed full-time with the community for 3 years and learned about their difficulties and challenges in livelihoods, job opportunities, education, business opportunities and income generation. During those years, I received a lot of training on sustainable Development Concepts, Facilitation, Mobilization, Project Cycle Management, Leadership, Organizational Development and Management, DRR, Climate Change Adaptation and other capacity-building training to be integrated into my development work and shared with the community.

I gained valuable experience from setting up the office and coordinating with the different government departments and INGOs/NGOs.  My time as a Community Empowerment Facilitator enabled me to take a leading role with a team of my peers while developing a training curriculum and then facilitating one-month training Community Empowerment Facilitator recruits.

 While serving as a Project Coordinator, I strengthened a big team to have a proper understanding of the organization’s vision, mission, goal, objectives and approaches. Together our team managed to achieve our plans, by applying the right process and concept while facilitating activities for community empowerment. Good coordination and networking were built up and maintained with State, District and Township Government Officials for various advocacy and activities. It was my desire to improve the knowledge, and skills of, the LWF Myanmar team and all stakeholders alike on Human Rights Concepts, Advocacy, Coordination and Networking, Reporting, Leadership and Management during these years.

In July 2016, I was promoted as Deputy Program Manager based in Yangon. In this current position, I am getting great opportunities to learn from others while I use my experience to contribute to the strategic planning and implementation of LWF Myanmar's program in its four project areas. I am happy to help fill conceptual gaps for all staff and to contribute to improving our Program to be as relevant, effective and efficient as possible.

The Lutheran World Federation Myanmar is the only INGO applying Rights-Based Empowerment Approaches for sustainable development in rural communities. The program also strengthens the community to realize their rights and improve their self-confidence to claim their rights from duty bearers. I believe it is the best approach because it promises the empowerment of people in sustainable development.