Video Advocacy Arrives in the Delta
Residents of Ah Si Kalay village in Pyapon Township are using film to urge officials to alleviate the effects of migration on rural economies.
Residents of Ah Si Kalay village are using a video to tell government officials about a new trend they believe is threatening the development of their village – migration of young people to cities for jobs. The village has lost about 10% of its population since Cyclone Nargis hit the region in 2008. U San Kyaing, a member of the village’s Farmers Group, described the migrants as “the first generation to leave the village” and said most were young. “We can’t bring them back, but we want to slow the flow of productive workers to factories,” he explained.
Residents hope their documentary – “The Life We Encounter” – can be used to spark debate and policy changes that will help alleviate the effects of migration from villages to cities and ensure that migration becomes a choice rather than an economic necessity. The video was one of the first made as part of a new program to use participatory video for community development in the region. Village residents were taught basic filmmaking techniques as well as a participatory approach to planning and filming, supported by LWF Myanmar, funded by Church of Sweden. For many it was the first time they had ever held a video camera.
After the workshop they returned to their village and made the film in one month. They involved the community in the entire process: from concept to the premiere in mid-October. After seeing the film, the members of the Village Development Committee and trained volunteers sent copies to township, district, regional and national governmental officials.
Labor shortages
Farmers say accelerating migration is creating labor shortages at harvest time and driving up costs in a sector that has a very thin profit margin. Parents also worry that their children are vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation in urban areas. Like most villages in the Delta, there is a high demand for farm laborers in Ah Si Kalay during its twice yearly harvests, but there are few other opportunities for employment the rest of the year.
U Myint Wai, a member of the Village Development Committee, said an increasing number of girls and young women are moving to Yangon to work in the city’s rapidly expanding garment sector, including one of his daughters. They are, however, having a difficult time getting promotions because they only have a village education. “Even though my daughter is very hard working she cannot move ahead because she did not finish high school,” he explained.
This process of filmmaking motivated village residents to examine migration more precisely. “It was the first time we collected data on migration,” Daw Khin Yu Naing, a member of the Farmers Group recalled. They found that 53 people left the village for work in towns and cities since 2009 and said five more left in the month after the video was made.
Migration is accelerating in other villages where LWF works, and as in Ah Si Kalay the migrants are predominantly young. Aung Phyo, 26, said most of his friends had left Boe Kone village. “Everyone who leaves is under 30. At least 20 have left over the last year,” he explained. Some were as young as 15. The village’s Youth Group has seen membership fall from 11 to 6. Residents of Ah Si Kalay say that besides labor shortages they are also finding it difficult to find volunteers for religious festivals and other events as a result of migration. “We need more investment to expand our farms and create more jobs,” U San Kwaing said. Members of the Village Development Committee say they began raising the issue with officials a year ago. They are using the video to expand their campaign.
